The event packs a lot of information into a day, and attracts high-calibre speakers from a wide range of sectors, so there will be something to interest everyone. 

Power of Print, organised by Two Sides and the BPIF in partnership with Canon and Fedrigoni, will once again be hosted in the auspicious surroundings of Stationers’ Hall in the City of London and held on Tuesday, 7 November.

According to Jonathan Tame, managing director for the global Two Sides campaign, it’s particularly relevant for brands, agencies and the print supply chain, and senior leaders who are looking at how sustainability, climate change and innovation will impact the industry.

It seeks to highlight and celebrate the benefits of using print on paper, whether that’s the sustainability of print media, its ability to engage with consumers or the way it can adapt to market and technological developments. 

The increasing adoption of AI, an ever-growing focus on sustainability and the impact print can have on brand identity are among the topics on the agenda, with speakers from Canon, Whistl and Ikea taking the stage (see the boxout for the full rundown). 

Artificial intelligence is likely to be a game-changer in all sorts of ways across the business world, and there’s plenty of scope to exploit it within print. Whether that’s to slash the time taken for admin tasks or in creative graphic design, AI is here to stay. 

Henry Coutinho-Mason, a leading authority on consumer trends and author of The Future Normal, will present a “fast-paced and deeply practical session” on how businesses can adapt and navigate rapid technological change, focusing as much on what AI won’t change, as much as what it will.

Like AI, the term ‘net-zero’ gets bandied about a lot these days, but what does it really entail? Simon Heppner, founder of Net Zero Now, will address what it means for those in our sector.  

The climate crisis requires urgent action from all businesses and a credible climate strategy is increasingly becoming a requirement to recruit and retain the best employees, win new customers and comply with government reporting requirements. Heppner will explore where print can make progress.

Sustainability will also be the focus of the session with Ikea’s Maja Kjellberg, packaging development leader for the group. Packaging has played a key role in the development of Ikea’s branding and commercial success and is essential to the way the company’s products are sold. Kjellberg will outline how the company uses packaging to reach its sustainability goals and what it focuses on in ongoing packaging development.

There’s plenty more besides. As with previous events, BPIF chief Charles Jarrold will deliver his annual overview of the current economical, political and technological challenges facing the print industry, and a look forward into 2024. Mark Davies of Whistl will outline how print can capitalise on tougher regs surrounding digital marketing. Mathew Faulkner of Canon will explore the ‘emotional wheel’, touching on the range of positive emotions that brands and printers can cultivate with customers through a more personalised approach.

There’s no dinner at this year’s event, instead there will be a drinks reception during which attendees will be more free to mingle and network with speakers and other guests to discuss topics of the day. Tame points out that “feedback from previous seminars has been on the value of networking”.