Get Connected conference disconnects from Australia

After being postponed once last year, the Get Connected Conference, which was scheduled for Sydney in June, will now be hosted by the Sri Lanka Association of Printers in Colombo. The move follows extensive negotiations at both an industry and government level with the Sri Lankan Government actively supporting the bid.

“We are delighted that Australia has agreed to let us host the Get Connected conference as an important part of our 2006 Golden Jubilee celebrations. It will help our industry and our country re-establish itself after the devastation of the Tsunami,” said Keerthi Gunawardane, President of the Sri Lanka Association of Printers (SLAP).


The conference will be the focal point of its printing industry Golden Jubilee celebrations which will include print awards and an international trade exhibition. Printing Industries national president, Peter Lane, congratulated Sri Lanka on its initiative and wished them success with continuing the Get Connected theme and concept originally developed for the Sydney event.


“We are happy to work with our international colleagues in support of one another and to ensure an open sharing of industry intelligence and the exploration of options for collaboration and co-operation between companies in all member countries,” he said.


Participating countries include Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Lane said Printing Industries would assist SLAP with program finalisation and marketing.


Get Connected will be the biggest international event the Sri Lankan industry has staged.


“We welcome our colleagues from Australia and the other Forum of Asian Graphic Arts Technology member countries and will certainly look after them,” said Gunawardane.


“We may never have such an opportunity in our lifetimes and this is very important to us in celebrating our progress and also being the newest member of such an important Forum.


“We can assure your delegates and the delegates from all Forum member countries of a warm, hospitable and colourful welcome. I look forward to personally thanking Australia’s delegates for their co-operation in making this possible.”


Inquiries about Get Connected or the exhibition should be directed to slap@sltnet.lk