ANZ flavour to women in print at drupa

High-profile contributions from local identities augers well for women’s participation in the region’s printing industry.

A strong representation from Australian and New Zealand women at the Heidelberg-sponsored Women in Print at drupa, strengthened the growing female network in the region and throughout the world. Joan Grace, president of Print NZ and Shelly Gare, Australian journalist, were among the international presenters at the Düsseldorf conference.

Over 100 women from over 30 countries participated in the first-ever world women in print conference and vowed to make it a bi-annual event at major trade shows throughout the world. In recognition of the strong Japanese contingent the next event will be at IGAS.

The event proved to be stimulating and reinforcing affair for the women present, according to Karen Goldsmith, CEO GAMAA. “It was a very valuable experience, an opportunity to network and feel supported and recognised for our contributions to the industry,” she said. “And Heidelberg did a very good job of getting everyone together. I felt it was very worthwhile.”

Among the other conference attendees were Susan Heaney, ceo Heaney’s Performance in Print and Nicole Merhi, marketing Fuji Xerox.

Top-class referees at the international Women in Print gathering (left to right): Hisako Shindo, president of the Japanese print shop Shindo Group; Adriana Nuneva, senior vice president global marketing at Heidelberg; Shelley Gare, journalist in Australia; Marian Salzmann, futurologist, book author and consultant at Porter Novelli, Joan Grace, president of PrintNZ and Martina Brand, head of marketing at the Print Media Academy.