Top Line Up of Speakers for SWUG Conference

Top Line Up of Speakers for SWUG Conference

A top line up of speakers has been brought together for the New Zealand SWUG conference—representing the web offset sector of the printing industry—in Auckland.

The 13th Annual Single Width Users’ Group Conference will be held from July 17-18 at the Novotel conference and hotel complex adjoining Ellerslie Racecourse, in Greenlane.

Among the key speakers confirmed for the conference will be:

• Hayato Kashiwagi, DIC Group Asia Pacific Regional Marketing Manager. Singapore-based, Hayato will deliver the keynote address on newspaper trends in the Asian market where growth is still being experienced in some territories

• Ross Ackland DSTO NSSTC Programme Manager. Security risks associated with social media such as Facebook, Plaxo and LinkedIn — including how terrorists could disrupt communities — is the hot topic being addressed by Ross

• Jenny Stiles Business and Marketing Manager, Newspapers Work. A key promoter of newspapers and their Websites to advertisers, Jenny is a passionate supporter of the industry and has gained considerable experience in the sector

• Stephen Cox Norske Skog Technical Customer Support. Originally from Tasmania, Stephen is a mechanic by trade who spent 20 years at the Boyer Paper Mill progressing through shift production roles to Shift Performance Manager. Almost 10 years ago, he moved from production to the Technical Customer Support role at Albury Mill, the position he holds today

Expectations are of 120 delegates and suppliers attending the conference, with two days of in-depth presentations on relevant print topics, with the SWUG Apprentice of the Year Award being announced at the conference dinner.

Presentations will also be made for the SWUG Quality Awards and the conference programme will also include social activities.

A further highlight will be a site visit to the new PMP headquarters in Enterprise Park, Manukau. PMP relocated to the purpose-built 22,000 square metre super-site late in 2011, allowing it to integrate its various divisions.

This is the first time PMP’s head office, printing plant and warehousing have been in one location, resulting in a far more cohesive business. It also creates one point of access to print, database marketing, distribution, subscriptions and news stand distribution.

SWUG chairman Dan Blackbourn said that 2013 would build on the great successes of the last three conferences in Christchurch, Wellington and Taupo.

“Christchurch set records for attendance and sponsor support. We also expanded by embracing the heatset sector of the industry for the first time. It set a benchmark for commitment to the industry from delegates and sponsors alike.

“We are looking to add to that success this year and give SWUG new impetus as an industry grouping for the future,” he said. “We have gold, silver and bronze sponsors supporting us so we have structured the conference programme to be as informative and enjoyable as in recent years.

“Recent conferences have been jam-packed with award-winning speakers addressing a number of topics and we can promise the same this time.

“The intention is for the conference to meet everyone's need in our sector of the printing industry. Delegates 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 knowledge. It is a forum to debate industry issues, problems and opportunities,” said Dan.

“Plus we have expanded our range of topics to include non-technical issues such as social media and the need for literacy in an age where ‘text speak’ is prevalent.”

The theme of the conference is “Print Endures”, emphasising that even in a time of rationalisation, there is a continuing role for print in the media mix.

Anyone wishing further information can go to www.swug.co.nz

ENDS

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