Industry speakers ranging from ex-Kodak chief marketing officer Jeff Hayzlett and Canon Europe's professional print director David Preskett to PrintWeek columnist John Charnock and Ricoh director of marketing Chas Moloney talked to the 140 delegates about some of the threats and key opportunities in print. Additionally acclaimed business journalist Anthony Hilton and business guru Geoff Burch offered invaluable insights in to the worlds of finance and the economy and customer care and sales.

"If the delegates got one piece information out of the event that benefited their business then that justified their time and, from the feedback I received, it more than delivered on that score," said BAPC chairman Sidney Bobb.

The event, which was hosted by BBC presenter Naga Munchetty, was also used to reveal the winners of the trade body's annual awards, with Newbury, Berkshire-based Apple Print scooping the top award by being named the BAPC's Business of the Year.

"This is a true reflection of the hard work and effort put in by all of our staff over the past 12 months. We have continued to grow our business despite the difficult economic conditions and this is a great way to end the year and a brilliant foundation for us to build our continued success on in 2011," said Andrew Watts, Apple Print joint managing director.

Other winners on Saturday night included: Environmental Printer of the Year, Pepper Communications in Plymouth, Devon and Mike Moradian, managing director of Colindale, London-based Print Express, who was awarded life membership of the BAPC in recognition of his services to the industry.

The two BAPC member-voted awards, Product of the Year and Supplier of the Year, were won by presentation product manufacturer Duraweld and post-press kit manufacturer Morgana respectively.