The BPIFs drive to increase subscriptions is already bearing fruit membership is up by 2% only eight weeks after it launched its new tiered membership scheme.


And the federation is confident of achieving its aim of a 20% increase in subscriptions every year for the next three years. It currently has around 2,500 members.


According to chief executive Roy Hill, 90% of members have selected the top Platinum package. "That was rather better than we thought. We felt the split would come out more Silver and Gold," he said.


The new tiered subscription scheme was announced at the start of the year. Entry level membership costs were slashed from 500 to 120 (for companies with less than five employees) to make the federation more accessible to small companies (PrintWeek, 5 January).


Now in its 100th year, the federation is in the midst of a radical makeover to present a more dynamic image and to operate as a "proper business".


It is planning a number of events to mark its centenary including a dinner on 26 July and its conference and awards, which take place on 14 June at the Dorchester Hotel in London.


Print 21, the National Industry Conference, is aimed at industry leaders and senior executives and will provide the platform for the unveiling of the findings of a major government-sponsored research study into the competitiveness of the industry.


BBC breakfast television business affairs presenter Tanya Beckett will chair the conference, which is organised by the federation with support from PrintWeek.


Contact: www.print21.co.uk.


Story by Lauretta Roberts