National Guild of Professional Paperhangers Rebrands

The National Guild of Professional Paperhangers (NGPP) announced its rebranding at the beginning of November, on the eve of its 40th anniversary. Now named the Wallcovering Installers Association (WIA) (www.wallcoveringinstallers.org), it plans to continue in the tradition of the NGPP, as well as acknowledge that the industry continues to change with the times, according to a release.

WIA’s steady expansion into an international group, along with the decline of the term “paperhanger” in favor of “wallcovering installer,” necessitated the change. Their first look to the future is a new, easy-to-navigate website.

“Our new website will focus on our installers and industry-related information, but also of our talented professional installers,” says WIA President Cyndi Green.

WIA plans to kick-start a new wave of professional development with a series of online training modules. Graduates of each module will earn a designation of “accredited installer.”

WIA will also serve as a resource for professional networking, news, and education. After applying for membership, professionals can learn about new techniques and see projects from around the world. WIA’s vision is to provide a worldwide platform where innovation is valued and the industry continues moving forward.