The IPIA is setting out to assist the print industry with overcoming critical market challenges, revealing the theme for its 2023 Autumn Conference will be – Rising to the Challenge: Finding Opportunities to Grow and Thrive.
It takes place on August 31st at The MTC in Coventry.
Matthew Ruff, Chair of the IPIA Events Subcommittee comments: “The theme for this year’s event encapsulates an issue that is at the very top of business leader’s mind’s across the UK print industry: with so many obstacles to growth present in the market (ever-rising running costs, the legacy of significant market disruption, unstable demand and rapidly changing routes to market), how can I grow my business?
“Rising to the Challenge will provide attendees with insights from print-service-providers and entrepreneurs that are successfully negotiating these hurdles – and which have not just identified growth opportunities – but are actively and successfully exploiting them.”
Rising to the Challenge will see inspirational and educational speakers combine with amazing networking opportunities, a mini-expo, as well as top class food and refreshments. The day will then be topped off with networking drinks – a chance to make further new business connections and unwind.
Insights from the coal face
The speakers on the day will include Lance Hill of Eight Days a Week Print Solutions, Anthony Rowell of Tradeprint, Elizabeth Bowerman of Stephen Austin, Pat Headley of Go Inspire and Mike Hughes of Latcham – with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Conference will also host a special interactive panel discussion entitled: Business Growth – By Luck or Design? This will see an entrepreneurial panel of printers, agencies, and finance experts discuss and debate a central question: Is there a formula for business growth that can be identified? Or is it just down to being in the right place at the right time?
The panel will also answer questions from the audience, providing their honest views and expertise on what it takes to find opportunities and exploit them successfully in today’s print industry.
On the panel will be Jamie Nelson of Compass Business Finance, Simon Cooper of Solopress, Lucy Swanston of Nutshell Creative, Anthony Thirlby of Culverlands Press, and Sarah Kilcoyne-Guilliam of Kingsbury Press.
Creating opportunities for print
Supported by an amazing array of industry technology developers and suppliers, the conference will also feature an Expo and Networking Hub. This aspect of the event will enable delegates to understand how they can strengthen the competitiveness of their business through new advances in technology and media. It will also create opportunities to connect directly with potential customers.
Matthew concludes: “Critically, attendees will be able to find new opportunities to help grow their business and be provided with direction to help it thrive in the long term.”
In common with previous IPIA events, the conference will also provide high-quality networking opportunities throughout the day in between the talks – where print buyers, suppliers, manufacturers, and technology developers can mix and build new business prospects.
Tickets for IPIA/BAPC Members cost £85, while non-members are £120 – this includes all food and refreshments – which can be booked via: ipia.org.uk/ac23
