Continuing its mission to encourage industry growth, the event took place yesterday (3 December) at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The event’s Expo and Business Networking Hub ran for four hours, with a pause for a networking lunch, and boasted well over 20 print technology and media exhibitors to engage with.

While the majority were returning longstanding supporters, there were also new names in the mix including Howden, Print.com, Printvision, and Young People in Print.

The event also featured an address from Charles Rogers of Portland Media, who as of today has stepped from IPIA chair up to the role of president, while Alasdair Browne of Abbot Print, the current vice chair, has assumed the position of chair for the next two years.

Rogers recapped the IPIA’s numerous events held during the year, as well as the launch at its Annual Conference in August of its new national print research and advocacy project, ‘A New Narrative for Print’.

Speaking of his new role, he said: “In my capacity as president of the IPIA, I will endeavour to open new doors and to continue to strengthen the position of the IPIA as the most relevant print trade association in the UK.

“And that changing of the guards gives me a moment to thank past presidents, Kath Doran and Mike Roberts, who are soon to be joined by Graeme Smith, for the sterling work in reshaping our IPIA over the last 10 years, and also to welcome Alasdair Browne as the new chair into post.”

IPIA members were also able to attend the association’s AGM, which took place after the Expo wrapped up.

Speaking to Printweek at the event, Brendan Perring, general manager of the IPIA, said: “We're very happy with how today has gone. We’ve got a great complement of exhibitors and it's really nice, as always, to see a complement of guests, where we’ve got print management, creative agencies, designers, print businesses, and small SME printers, through to very large trade print businesses, and then all the suppliers and OEM technology developers, all together.

“Being able to get them together to network and, most importantly, share information, and share pain and challenges and find ways together to overcome them is really critical for us. We hope that these events make a small but hopefully significant impact on the long-term health of our sector.”

He added: “Stratford-upon-Avon is the home of a major proponent of the print industry, which was none other than William Shakespeare himself. So it’s quite culturally fitting that we're here. Secondly, it’s got easy access with road networks and trains, and also the central location.

“A large amount of our membership is within a two-hour drive of this venue. So we always try to essentially make it as easy as possible for members, some of whom are very time pressed, to be able to come and spend two hours here and then get back to their business to finish off work for the day.”

Exhibitors were full of praise for the format of the event and the IPIA’s organisation of the day as well as its community feel.

Luke Wildey, development executive at insurance specialist Howden, told Printweek: “For us, IPIA events are particularly about the networking opportunities; to see the industry leaders, to see the up and comers in the industry, and to understand what developments are coming to the industry that may require additional protections later on down the line.

“Obviously it’s also about nurturing those relationships that we’ve been building and, for me, it’s about rebuilding those relationships from the industry that I had when I worked in the industry before, but also to get the name out there of Howden and demonstrate how we’re broadening cover and providing better value for money for print businesses.”

Steve Richardson, commercial director at Optimus Group, added: “We really like the approach from the IPIA. They’re very dedicated to the industry, they have a long heritage of providing support and really well thought through industry events that add value, and they’re accessible. 

“It’s not like attending Drupa – you can make a modest investment, connect with people in the industry and partners, and out of it you might just get a couple of decent opportunities.

“This is the second time that we’ve exhibited, and the third time I’ve attended the event, and when I attended it for the first time three years ago I really liked the format, so that’s why we're here.”

Many of the Expo’s attendees – and more – returned a few hours later for the IPIA’s Gala Dinner, which attracted 220 guests compared to the 180 people who attended the daytime Expo.

The winners of the Recognising Excellence Awards – voted on by the IPIA membership – were announced after a champagne reception and three-course meal and this was followed by a night of entertainment, including the IPIA’s stand-up bingo, to raise funds for The Printing Charity, and live music from band The Arcadias.

Loud cheers went in particular to Marnie Soutar from Tradeprint, who won the Young Leader Award, and double winner Elizabeth Bowerman, one of the main driving forces of the Young People in Print initiative, which was set up to inspire the next generation of employees in the print industry.

The list of winners and those highly commended was as follows:

IPIA Champion Award – Winners: Charles Rogers, Portland Media; Elizabeth Bowerman, Young People in Print / Highly commended: Alasdair Browne, Abbot Print

Innovation Masterclass Award – Winners: XMPie; 4 Creative Solutions / Highly commended: eProductivity Software, Healeys Printers, Vivid

Manufacturer of the Year Award – Winner: Dayfold / Highly commended: Flexpress

Sustainability Advocate Award – Winner: Tradeprint / Highly commended: Antalis; OurZero

Print Management Company of the Year Award – Winner: Eight Plus / Highly commended: Allwag Promotions; Hensal Communications

Young Leader Award – Winner: Marnie Soutar, Tradeprint / Highly commended: Gabriela Solarek, Eight Group; Connor Sadik, Bakergoodchild / Special recognition: Moses Clayton, Fujifilm

Associate of the Year Award – Winner: Compass Business Finance / Highly commended: Fujifilm

Community Champion Award – Winner: Elizabeth Bowerman, Young People in Print / Highly commended: The Printing Charity

IPIA Distinguished Service Award – Winner: Paul Bracken, CDP