South Africa’s print industry is evolving and carving an important niche for itself in the midst of technical transformation and economic challenges.
That’s according to Steve Thobela, CEO of Printing SA, the official mouthpiece of South Africa’s print and packaging industry, which recently announced its first ‘Jamboree Week of Print’.
Scheduled for Wednesday, 7 September 2016, it will take place in the balcony area of Gallagher Convention Centre’s Hall 2 centres.
“This is the perfect vehicle to create excitement whilst imparting knowledge within our industry through the use of the key platforms to drive awareness about the sustainability and growth of the industry. Printing SA looks forward to growing this initiative as a brand to include a multitude of activities aimed at ensuring the relevance of the print and packaging industry in years to come,” he said.
The print industry will always have a place within the broader economy and is becoming an important catalyst for entrepreneurship, the growth of small to medium businesses and job creation.
The Jamboree Week of Print with Printing SA in collaboration with FESPA, kicks off with the first ever “Speed meet your artisan” event based on the world famous speed dating concept, which is due to take place on Tuesday, September 6th from 1pm to 3pm at 575 Luton Drive, Halfway House in Midrand. This will be followed by the Federation of European Screen Printers Associations Africa and Africa Print Expo (7 – 9 September), the second Annual Printing SA Conference (FESPA) on 7 September and will conclude with the Printing SA Central Chamber Annual Gala Dinner on 8 September.
He said that all participants and stakeholders in the broader print industry would benefit from the various projects, exhibitions and resources on offer. There would be important networking opportunities with like-minded businesses, Printing SA and the Executives of FESPA.
The theme of this year’s Printing SA Africa Print Conference is the same as that of FESPA Africa 2016 Print Expo – Connect, Diversify and Grow.
Thobela stressed that, in order to remain relevant, both Printing SA and the print industry at large needed to move with the times and adapt to a large spectrum of changes that would impact on its operating environment. Thus, the conference programme had been carefully compiled to address highly relevant topics.
Guest speakers at the conference on 7 September include well known economist, Dr. Roelof Botha, who will examine the state of South Africa’s economy and advise delegates on how best to navigate this. Dana Braithwaite of BMi Research, will also unpack the findings and recommendations of the industry research conducted by Printing SA in collaboration with the FP&M SETA, providing insight into how the industry can diversify and grow.
Following on from this, Ian James and Tina Costa will deliver a thought-provoking talk on the Air Quality Act, providing strategic direction on the legislative and operational impact of the act on printing and packaging businesses whilst offering advice on how best to operate within this new landscape.
Founded in 1911, the Printing Industries Federation of South Africa, trading under the promotional brand Printing SA, has traditionally catered to the needs of all printers, packaging manufacturers and service providers to the industry.
However, the arrival of digital technology in the print and packaging industry meant that new digital printers as well as current members of Printing SA who had adopted digital printing processes no longer had a truly representative body catering to their specific needs.
This saw Printing SA became the 37th and only African member of the Federation of FESPA in 2014. This is a federation of associations and an organiser of exhibitions, conferences and special projects for the screen and digital printing subsectors.
This move by Printing SA has ensured representation of the full spectrum of the print industry, thus addressing an apparent gap created by the progression of print to include digital printing, which is the newest process in addition to the more established processes such as lithography, gravure, flexography etc.
The cost of the half-day Printing SA Africa Print Conference (beginning at 9am) will be R530 for Printing SA members and R590 for non-members.
For more information on the conference, how to fast-track registration and entry to the show, the free Wi-Fi access and refreshment offering on the Printing SA stand as well as information on how to secure your seat at the Annual Gala Dinner, visit www.printingsa.org
