The UK has the presidency of the G7 group of democratic nations in 2021, and the summit is the first chance for the world leaders involved – including guest countries Australia, India, South Korea and South Africa – to meet in person since the Covid-19 pandemic took hold.
Event organisers have turned to local businesses for items such as event collateral and gift hampers.
Julian Hocking, managing director of Nationwide Print in St Austell, told Printweek: “We were contacted about it months ago and were involved in a competitive tender.”
The firm has produced a range of delegate and event collateral (pictured below).
“We’re delighted to be supplying our solar generated print for the G7 summit here in Cornwall. We put our first solar panels in in 2010 so we’re very in tune with the climate change agenda that is part of the G7. We’re proud to be involved,” he said.
Beth Mayman, operations manager at St Austell Printing Company (SAPC), also said the summit had had “a positive effect” on demand.
“It has had an effect with local businesses wanting to produce more materials,” she said
“There’s a lot going on in terms of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce which has arranged a lot of events surrounding the G7, before, during and after. And there’s an increase in sustainability and environmental events – all requiring print.
“We’ve also been involved in exhibitions to help promote the best of Cornwall,” Mayman added.
Local gifting business The St Ives Company was featured on BBC News earlier in the week, putting together branded hampers for delegates featuring products from its range of St Ives-themed craft, artwork, jewellery and foodie treats.
The range includes printed merchandise such as mugs, tea towels, prints and cards, with the special hampers replete with special G7 ribbon.
A limited edition of 200 of the £110 hampers will be available for subsequent purchase by the general public.
A raft of other events are taking place around the main summit.
Zoe Deadman, managing director at KCS Print in Launceston, said it was “great to be involved” in the printed matter required for lunch boxes put together by The Cornish Food Box Company for the Cornwall Chamber G7 Sustainable Growth Conference, which took place at Exeter University earlier in the week.
“The print looks fantastic. Well done to all the team involved at KCS,” she said.
Wide-format printers have also been busy producing banners for Extinction Rebellion protesters, and others keen to make a point about matters such as Brexit.
The XR protest at the G7 is underway. More on @PA pic.twitter.com/mMgu1ALjd0
— Isobel Frodsham (@isobeljourno) June 11, 2021
This greeted Spaffer and the G7 leaders today 😍 #BorisTheLiar #GTTO #ToryCriminals #ToryCorruption #BorisJohnsonOut #JohnsonMustGo pic.twitter.com/tvGdy9TxKe
— AliPali (@Funkyfosh) June 10, 2021
The G7 summit takes place in Carbis Bay from 11-13 June.
As well as urging G7 leaders to tackle global issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to vaccinate the world and "build back better", Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a £65m-plus package of New Town Deals funding for Penzance, St Ives and Camborne “to create a G7 legacy for the region”.
