Irvine, CA (News release) -- MindFire, Inc., a leading marketing automation platform for direct mail, today announced a comprehensive hands-on workshop sponsored by Sylvamo Corporation, the world's paper company. The workshop, scheduled for January 22, 2026, will feature Carl Boettner, USPS Program Manager of Products and Services, providing live demonstrations of the Business Customer Gateway, alongside industry insights from postal experts.

As the exclusive sponsor of this educational initiative, Sylvamo demonstrates its commitment to empowering brands and the direct mail industries with the knowledge and tools needed to leverage enhanced USPS promotional opportunities in 2026. The partnership brings together Sylvamo's paper expertise, MindFire's technical proficiency, and direct access to USPS leadership.

"Sylvamo's sponsorship of this workshop reflects our dedication to the success of the direct mail channel," said AJ Layo, Sales Manager at Sylvamo Corporation. "By removing the technical barriers to USPS promotion participation, we're helping marketers unlock significant value - including the new 10% discounts available through programs like the Catalog Insights promotion. This investment in education directly supports our customers' growth."

Building on the success of the November 20th Sylvamo-sponsored webinar, "Maximize Your 2026 Mail ROI with our USPS Promotions Playbook," this workshop transitions from strategy to implementation. Dave Rosendahl, President of MindFire, will moderate the session, facilitating the discussion between Carl Boettner from USPS and industry experts including Chris Lien, EVP of Postal Affairs at BCC Software.

"Having Carl Boettner lead our Business Customer Gateway demonstrations provides participants with authoritative, direct guidance from USPS," said Rosendahl. "Combined with Chris Lien's industry expertise and Sylvamo's generous sponsorship, we're delivering an unparalleled educational experience that would typically only be available at major postal conferences."

Workshop Focus Areas

Carl Boettner will lead participants through comprehensive coverage of:

• Live Business Customer Gateway navigation and demonstrations

• Clear distinction between enrollment and registration processes • Mailing Promotions Portal comprehensive walkthrough

• New BCG features including bulk upload capabilities

Chris Lien will provide additional industry perspective on maximizing promotional opportunities and calculating ROI using BCC Software's upcoming tool, ensuring participants understand both the technical processes and strategic implications of their promotional choices.

Sylvamo's Investment in Industry Education

Sylvamo's sponsorship of this workshop is part of a broader commitment to direct mail education and innovation. As a global leader in paper manufacturing with mills in Europe, Latin America, and North America, Sylvamo recognizes that the success of direct mail depends on marketers' ability to leverage available postal incentives effectively.

"When marketers successfully utilize USPS promotions, the entire direct mail ecosystem benefits," added Layo. "Our sponsorship ensures that cost is never a barrier to accessing this essential knowledge. We're particularly excited about helping marketers understand how Intelligent Paper technologies can qualify for additional promotional discounts."

Strategic Timing and Expert Collaboration

Scheduled strategically after the January MTAC (Mailers' Technical Advisory Committee) meetings, the workshop will incorporate the latest updates and insights from postal leadership. The combination of Carl Boettner's USPS expertise and Chris Lien's industry knowledge from BCC Software, creates a comprehensive learning experience.

The workshop addresses a critical industry need. With 2026 USPS promotions offering discounts ranging from 3% to 10%, plus additional add-on opportunities, proper enrollment and registration are essential for maximizing return on investment. Many promotions require pre-approval and specific technical configurations that can be challenging without proper guidance from USPS officials.

Registration Information

The Sylvamo-sponsored workshop featuring Carl Boettner and Chris Lien is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM PT. Thanks to Sylvamo's sponsorship, registration is complimentary for all direct mail marketers, print service providers, and marketing professionals.

To register for the workshop or learn more about the MindFire-Sylvamo educational partnership, please click here.