AlphaGraphics Holds Annual Conference; Sees Continued Growth

SALT LAKE CITY, UT—September 04, 2009—AlphaGraphics – a leading international franchise network whose local business centers plan, produce and manage visual communications and marketing solutions for businesses – recently held its annual conference, where its business centers were recognized for achieving record growth.

With the theme, "Extreme Makeover: Sales and Marketing Edition," the conference, held at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago attracted over 480 franchise owners, employees and other professionals. During the event, AlphaGraphics business center owners were honored for some of the following significant achievements:

• Owners from five AlphaGraphics locations were named "Grand Masters," for meeting or surpassing rigorous criteria in team management, operations, marketing, sales and profitability.

• Eleven business centers were awarded for achieving record sales in their locations this year, by grossing between $100K and $500K in a single month.

• 39 business centers had gross sales of $1.694 million or more.

"Many of our business centers saw double-digit growth this fiscal year," said AlphaGraphics CEO Kevin Cushing. "The remarkable number of award-winners we had this year just goes to show how dedicated our business center owners are to providing solutions to their customers’ problems, despite the challenging economy."

During the four-day event, franchise owners were introduced to new technologies emerging in the industry. The conference's technology show featured a variety of product demonstrations and visual displays of some of the best and newest products, software and equipment available. "Previewing and investing in these products gives franchise owners the ability to bolster their sales and marketing efforts at their respective business centers," noted Cushing.

One of the highlights of the gathering included a session with Kevin Cushing, who discussed the future of the company and how its franchisees play a major role in its overall success. Other speakers included Chairman Andrew Pindar, Vice President of Global Development Art Coley, and Director of Marketing and Public Relations Sharon Snape Cook, who spoke on building solid marketing programs and thriving in the current economic climate.

Additionally, network group sessions provided opportunities for attendees to collaborate and make commitments for the coming fiscal year. Training sessions helped them adopt strategies, construct action plans and implement processes to create behavioral change and align efforts with their objectives.

"Each group session was a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' event where franchise owners were given a venue for deep conversations with their peers, working through problems and creating solutions," Cook said. "At this conference, we focused on giving attendees the tools they need to find and capture new business while retaining and further penetrating all of their current customer accounts."

Cook added, "The gathering was a great way to celebrate a number of milestones and the growth that has taken place at AlphaGraphics this year. Recipients of the awards are examples of how franchise owners are succeeding in this market, by providing innovative marketing solutions to their customers' needs."

AlphaGraphics plans to release a statement in the coming weeks regarding the growth of the company. For more information, please visit www.alphagraphics.com.

About AlphaGraphics
AlphaGraphics, Inc. plans, produces and manages visual communications for businesses at more than 260 owner-operated, locally-based business centers worldwide. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the AlphaGraphics network leads the industry in sales per location. Backed by state-of-the-art technology, the world’s highest quality standards and a global network, the company’s trained and experienced team members are committed to delivering creative solutions that allow customers to communicate more confidently and effectively. AlphaGraphics is owned by Pindar Group, a leading print and electronic media company, which over the years has become known for its support of sailing through its sponsorship of several world-class sailors. For more information, visit www.alphagraphics.com.