Page 54 - Print21 Jan-Feb 2022

Associations
2022–Liftoff orprint
Happy New Year
– I say those words with much optimism that this year will not be a repeat of the last two.
Certainly this time last year we were feeling that the worst was behind us – and for the fi st six months of the year it seemed to be so. We were back to living life as we knew it – including being able to cross the Tasman at will in both directions. But little did we know, and Covid-19 once more sent us into a spin that distracted us from what we were all there to do.
Once again it sent us Zooming off in di erent directions, trying to keep abreast of the changes that were happening, and make sense of rapid, and often nonsensical, edicts from the government that told us what we could and couldn’t do, all wrapped up in
a layer of global supply chain shortages, increased costs and skills shortages.
Our industry has been at the front line of ensuring essential services kept operating, and proving the fundamental necessity of print to keeping
the economy moving. Print
and packaging businesses have worked right through lockdown, so that in turn other essential businesses could continue to operate. In addition print
has been a vital Covid-19 communication tool – the only form of communication that has the potential to reach everyone, and the only one you can easily put your hands on again as you check and re-check the rules.
Industry associations put their lobbying hats back on, and worked hard on behalf of the industry to ensure there was a two-way flow of information.
As much as we need to interpret and digest the information being published by the government, the government needs to understand the ongoing impacts those decisions have on business.
Now we have our 2022 planning hats on and an air of positivity about what is in
store for this year. We want our with others is one of the
Connect: Ruth Cobb, CEO, PrintNZ
PrintNZ CEO Ruth Cobb says print has proved itself over the past two years, and personal connection will be the difference this year.
business confidence to go up, we want our business activity to goup,andwewanttobeableto go away.
The lockdowns of the last two years have highlighted how much we benefit from face-to-face contact both from a business stand-point and for the good of our mental health. Therefore
the PrintNZ calendar of events for 2022 is fully marked up
with member events, seminars, training graduations, Apprentice of the Year, Pride In Print Awards, Women In Print and golf all having their places booked.
Added to those is the excitement of seeing PacPrint on the schedule for this year, and we have our fin ers (and toes) crossed that both Aussies and Kiwis will be able to attend this event without restriction, and be able to start making those connections again.
Mental health will remain
a key focus area. Extended lockdowns have been hard
on many with the ability to interact curtailed. Connecting
cornerstones of wellbeing and we hope that in 2022 everyone will have the opportunity to reconnect.
Vaccinations have also become part of the conversation and will remain so. While I acknowledge that they are
a personal choice, they do appear to be an effective tool
in the fight against Covid-19, and will factor into decisions that will ultimately mean less disruption and restriction as we go forward. What is important is that we remain a team of
fi e million working towards a strong and healthy economy.
The industry remains quick to adapt to change, so let’s build on this as we move into 2022. As we continue to respond, reconfigure and reimagine our businesses and our industry, let’s also make sure we reconnect, and make 2022 a year to remember (for all the right reasons).
To sign off, quite literally, I look forward to seeing many of you in 2022. 21
54 Print21 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022