Supported by the IPIA’s sister association, the BAPC, the Recognising Excellence Gala and Expo also aims to provide a platform for industry professionals to network and have fun.
The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-Upon-Avon on Thursday 2 December.
Lucy Swanston, chair of the IPIA event subcommittee and managing director of Nutshell Creative, said: “Covid-19 drove most of us online, but in amongst digital fatigue, print continued to demonstrate its relevance and effectiveness as part of marketing activity – with 41% of businesses claiming to increase spend on ad mail this year [according to research from Trinity McQueen, on behalf of Royal Mail].
“Now it is time for us to show leadership, come together, generate confidence and help kickstart our sector’s growth.”
The event has the backing of IPIA sponsors Antalis, Canon, Duplo, Fujifilm, Imprint MIS, Konica Minolta, Vivid Laminating Technologies, Xerox, and XMPie, and additional exhibitors will be announced in the weeks ahead.
“The IPIA is well known for the high quality and value of its events and, ordinarily, we host some 10 business events every year, culminating with the Gala dinner, which has proved an important social and networking opportunity on the calendar since 1992,” said Swanston.
“This will be our first in-person event since the pandemic began, although we have hosted several lauded virtual events like #Punchbackprint and the IPIA Big Breakfast networking mornings.
“These were developed to support the industry with learning and networking opportunities. We are looking forward to not only seeing what our print technology providers have got to showcase, but to also welcome print buyers, agencies, trade houses and suppliers to the event.”
The Expo and Business Networking Hub will run from 11am to 3.30pm on the day, during which there will be a buffet lunch and the IPIA chairman’s address on critical market trends. The IPIA AGM will then take place for an hour at 3.30pm.
A champagne reception will precede the Gala dinner, which begins at 7pm, with the Recognising Excellence Awards presented from 9pm.
During the dinner, the IPIA will also run its Stand-up Bingo session, with the winner taking half the pot and the other half going to a charity of their choice.
A range of tickets are available, starting with a visit to the Expo and lunch in the Business Networking Hub, which are £12 for IPIA/BAPC members and £14.40 for non-members.
The top package, which includes tickets for the whole event and overnight accommodation with breakfast, costs £192 for IPIA/BAPC members and £223.20 for non-members.
For further information, and to book tickets, visit: bit.ly/expogala21.
