Ritz Camera

New York, New York
Paul Harmel honored during luncheon at United Nations

by Diane Berkenfeld (ImagingInfo.com)

The IPC (International Photographic Council), a non-governmental organization of the United Nations held its annual Hall of Fame luncheon at the United Nations on Thursday, February 21, 2008, inducting Paul Harmel of Lifetouch into its Hall of Fame. Lifetouch has been a leader in school photography for nearly 70 years; with operations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Harmel, chairman and CEO of Lifetouch Inc. has been involved in the photographic industry for over 30 years.

Under Harmel’s leadership, the employee owned company has grown to over a billion dollars in sales, and has become a market leader in professional portraiture. His vision has improved industry standards for quality and service, and raised the level of expectation for customers.

The keynote speaker was Ted Fox, executive director of the Photo Marketing Association International (PMAI). Fox spoke about the new opportunities that digital photography and its acceptance by consumers is bringing to the industry, specifically retail.

David M. Ritz, chairman and CEO of Ritz Camera Centers introduced Harmel, noting the growth of Lifetouch under Harmel’s leadership.

Previous winners of the prestigious IPC Hall of Fame award include Mr. Minoru Ohnishi, chairman, Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd., in 2004; Mr. Toshiro Shimoyama, chairman emeritus and supreme advisor, Olympus Corporation in 2005; photo industry journalist Herbert Keppler in 2006; and David M. Ritz, chairman and CEO, Ritz Camera Centers, in 2007.

Founded in 1974, IPC is dedicated to increasing worldwide recognition of photography as a universal means of communication through the adoption of the motto: “Peace through understanding, understanding through photography, the universal language.”< br />

For more information about the International Photographic Council, visit www.ipc-un-ngo.org.

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