Page 78 - Print21 Magazine May-June 2022

Association News
The online dating is done,
let’s meet at your place (or ours)
PrintNZ CEO Ruth Cobb says the easing of restrictions means face-to-face time is back, and encourages printers to get out to the upcoming industry
testament to them that
they have completed their apprenticeships despite the disruption. Five of those amazing graduates have already been named as their Sector Apprentice of the Year winner, and they will take to the stage with one of them being named overall Print Apprentice of the Year. The companies and trainers that have supported them and made sure they can graduate
will also be acknowledged, with Training Company of the Year and Trainer of the Year also being announced.
Hot on the heels of the Awards, on the other side of the ditch, is the PacPrint trade show in Melbourne from 28 June – 1 July. Trade shows are a bit like print – they are tactile, amazing communication channels and great vehicles for learning. We have tried them online and it just isn’t the same, but with New Zealand’s borders opening more widely for travel with less risk of getting stuck, I am sure we will see a good number of Kiwis make the trip.
The three-show combo of PacPrint, Visual Connections and the Label & Packaging Expo means there is something there for everyone, covering
print, digital, sign, packaging and labels. Much has changed in our industry over the last two years, and this show will
be a great place to learn about what’s coming, what’s going and what might be right for your business.
Trade shows are used as the launch pad for new products and having the opportunity to look at new technology fi st-hand can stimulate ideas and creative ways to diversify your business. It is the perfect chance to talk
to multiple vendors of the
same product, understand the differences between models and work out what would fit best with your business. Having all the vendors in one place can save a substantial amount of time trying to assess options, and allows you to make side-by- side comparisons. You can see the physical evidence of what it is you are looking at, and what it can produce.
As well as talking to the exhibitors, there is no doubt that the networking that takes place is of equal importance. While much of it happens outside of the trade hall, there is no doubt that it is just as valuable as the time spent talking to people inside the hall. Again it is about that face to face connection – take the time to network with other attendees
and pick their brains. Don’t underestimate the
alliances that can be formed over a few drinks – our industry provides
opportunities to collaborate, and
wherebettertofi d potential partners on both sides of the Tasman.
We will continue to plan events for the
latter part of the year and will keep you posted. In the
meantime our PrintNZ team are out and about meeting with members, and if anyone is up for a coffee, it’s my shout. 21
vents. eA
little more than two years ago if someone had told me I would start conducting online relationships
Buy print in New Zealand: Ruth Cobb, CEO PrintNZ
“Don’t underestimate the alliances that can be formed over a few drinks – our industry provides opportunities to collaborate.”
I would have laughed. Now
here we are, all of us experts at zipping into a Zoom, tacking over to a Teams meeting, having drinks after work or joining in
a team quiz, all without leaving our office/home.
Now restrictions are easing, borders are opening and we are able to meet in person again,
so let’s do it. I have missed the face-to-face connections, and look forward to reconfi ming those bonds within our industry as we get out and about again.
In addition to the one-on- one meetings, over the next couple of months our industry has much to offer in the way of opportunities to get together collectively.
Firstcabofft erankisthe 29th New Zealand Pride In Print Awards being held in Christchurch on 17 June. Our industry has continued to produce amazing work despite the challenges it has faced, and we are planning a spectacular event in a brand new venue
to showcase the winners. For
our Wellington and Australian friends who were stopped from coming at the last minute last year, this will be their fi st chance to attend an awards ceremony
in three years, so this will be a particularly special celebration. As part of this gala event we
will announce the winners of our Training Awards. This ear’s graduates have done the hardest part of their training through Covid, some of that also via remote means, so it is a
78 Print21 MAY/JUNE 2022