Inaugural business awards highlight NSW Conference

There was mercifully little technology talk at last month’s Printing Industries NSW Conference – no sales pitches masquerading as presentations, no mind-numbing lists of specifications, no bad-mouthing the competition’s products. In a clear break from the past Jim Hopwood, NSW regional manager, put together a business-focused event. Photo caption; Jim is pictured on left with fellow bow tie wearer Chris Segaert, national president, to the immense amusement of sponsor Meredith Dark, IPP Print&Pack with MC Rod Quantock.


Using the slogan ‘ Enrichment, Environment, Education’ the two-day conference was a valuable reality check on the state of the industry and where it is heading. It sought to deal with contemporary challenges and the emerging threats and opportunities affecting the industry.

Taking its pace from an opening session from futurist Richard Neville who presented radically different ways of approaching the future, the conference was directed towards the thinking industry professional. Tackling such questions as the sustainability of the industry and the looming issues of government environmental regulation in the face of lack lustre industry initiatives, speakers such as Tim Rogers of the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation and Tony Wilkins, chief of News Limited’s Environmental Secretariat spelled out the need to clean up the industry’s act.

The business of doing business in a better way saw Bruce Guthrie of Icon Business Solutions energise the audience with his presentation of innovative ways around the swamp of everyday operations. Glenn Plummer of Heidelberg then illustrated how the company’s machine room audits can make a difference in the real world of investment direction.

Arthur Williamson, APIS Business Services, proved the star of the show with his presentation of the training needs of the industry over the next decade and beyond. Taking the opportunity to put the figures into context, he proceeded to highlight the crucial industry trends, where the business is and where it is going. On cue, Gavin Farley, LMA, followed up with an insightful talk on how to get effective results from the training dollar.


A series of workshops throughout the afternoon covered issues such as Workcover compliance; Performance, Education and Training; Environmental Economics (with David Fuller of Focus Press proving again why he is considered an industry pacesetter); and How to Improve Business through Benchmarking. This latter workshop showcased the depth of talent and resources that are available to member from individuals such as Hagop Tchamkertenian, manager industry and commercial policy and Philip Anderson, director of policy of Printing Industries.

To prove the point that the industry need not remain hostage to old-fashioned concepts, the inaugural business achievement awards, the highlight of the conference dinner, were won by companies that are making a difference in such areas as innovative business practice (JS McMillan Printing Group), environmental initiatives (Focus Press) and training and education (Anzpac).

All in all, a remarkably refreshing industry conference and one that could be emulated with great effect.