SWUG media release (January 18, 2012)

SWUG Conference A Boost For Christchurch

New Zealand’s Single Width Users’ Group (SWUG) — representing the newspaper sector of the printing industry — is to play its part in the revival of earthquake-hit Christchurch.

This year’s annual SWUG conference will be held from August 15-16 at the Chateau on the Park conference and hotel complex adjoining Hagley Park.

Expectations are of 120 delegates and suppliers attending the conference, with two days of in-depth presentations on relevant print topics, with site visits to the Fairfax Christchurch plant and the Guardian Print press complex.

It will give an opportunity to hear from manufacturers and suppliers, plus networking opportunities to mix with fellow printers and others involved in the print industry and learn from their experiences and their knowledge. Plus, it is a forum to debate industry issues, problems and opportunities.

The conference programme will also include social activities and a formal dinner featuring the SWUG Apprentice of the Year Award and other industry presentations.

SWUG chairman Dan Blackbourn said the organisation was pleased to be seen to be supporting the rebirth of Christchurch.

“Our hearts have gone out as New Zealanders to the troubles that have affected Christchurch, and our own industry has suffered badly from the earthquake damage,” he says.

As Cantabrians have begun to rebuild their city and their economy, we at SWUG were keen to play our part by taking the conference to Christchurch as soon as suitable conference space and accommodation options could be arranged.

“We have found those needs answered at the Chateau on the Park, which is in a picturesque setting, and therefore we have made the decision to commit ourselves to returning to Christchurch.”

SWUG has enjoyed its own rebirth since coming out of a hiatus in 2010. Then, with a new committee on board and new energy being put into the organisation, it enjoyed a record-breaking event at Taupo’s Wairakei Resort over two days.

This was followed with another bumper conference in Wellington last year.

SWUG New Zealand traces its history back to 1986 when a number of local production staff travelled to attend the Australian SWUG event. At its core was the concept of setting up a venue for newspaper production people to come together to help solve operational issues by way of open discussion between users and suppliers.

It took some time for the concept to take root in New Zealand but with John Green of Wilson & Horton (now APN Print) becoming the first New Zealand chairman, the inaugural SWUG New Zealand Conference was run at the Centra Airport Hotel in Mangere in late 1999. It was attended by approximately 20 delegates with an equal number of suppliers.

The following year the SWUG New Zealand Conference went to Dunedin, with attendance growing as both users and suppliers saw the benefit of such a gathering.

Later conferences were held in Gisborne, Wellington, Whakatane, Nelson, Napier, Christchurch and Hamilton, before the concept was revived with the Taupo conference in 2010.

ends

© Scoop Media