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A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO BMI
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Since 1933, the Book Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (BMI) has been the leading nationally recognized trade association of the book manufacturing industry. Our membership is comprised of companies ranging in size of those with less than a hundred employees to those employing thousands. BMI member companies annually produce the great majority of books ordered by the U. S. book publishing industry. Today, BMI is a vital part of the industry, playing a leading role by providing an intra-industry communications link among book manufacturers, publishers, suppliers and governmental bodies. BMI conducts a number of programs and activities relating to the interdependent needs of these groups.
Each year the Institute conducts two conferences: the Annual Meeting and Conference in late October/early November, and the Management Conference in late April/early May. All members are eligible to attend these conferences. The programs and speakers for these conferences vary, but their basic objectives remain the same: (1) to provide an opportunity for industry members to meet and interact with their peers, and (2) to discuss and work on the problems of industry-wide concern. In addition to the Conferences, BMI conducts special seminars (Roundtables) on subjects of immediate and particular concern to book manufacturers and suppliers such as: Information Technology, Human Resources, Digital Technology, and Finance. Many committee meetings are held each year, and every member with an interest in the work of a committee is afforded the opportunity to participate.
Over the years BMI has worked effectively with publishers and has established a valuable rapport with the Association of American Publishers (AAP). Through our Government Relations & Postal Committee, working with their AAP counterparts, the positions of our industries have been effectively presented to the various governmental and legislative bodies. Manufacturing Standards & Specifications for Textbooks (MSST) have been developed through the cooperative efforts of BMI, AAP and the National Association of State Textbook Administrators (NASTA). These standards are recognized nationally and serve as a model of intra-industry achievement.
In 1995 BMI instituted a seminar on the usage of the MSST. This seminar was created for those interested in the manufacture of elementary and high school textbooks and ancillary materials. The seminar is given at both publishing and manufacturing companies and industry association meetings.
In 1998 BMI established a Special Projects Committee to identify, study and recommend funding for those projects or organizations within our member company’s communities that promote literacy, reading, education or other book related programs which deserve financial and membership support from the Institute. Each year BMI provides grants to the selected projects or organizations.
BMI is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of ten Active and five Associate members, five of whom are elected annually. A Washington, DC based legal counsel reviews all Directors' minutes, committee minutes and activities of the Institute.
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