The World Print and Communication Congress (WPC8) gets underway in less than two months. Delegates from all corners of the globe will descend upon Cape Town, South Africa, from January 24 – 28 2004 for what is tipped to be the biggest gathering of producers and users of printed media and products ever in South Africa. WPC8 will take place at the International Convention Centre and will attract publishers, advertising agencies, printers, converters and suppliers. Print adds value to packaging. It communicates messages in a user friendly and convenient way and form, and is adaptable. Against the conference theme of “The World Print-Profiting Today and Tomorrow”, a variety of sub-themes will be presented by a number of industry specialists who are actively involved in the Print and Communications arena in markets all over the world. Speaker topics will cover a number of important issues that affect the industry globally and include;
Hiromichi Fujita, Japanese Federation of Printing Industries president and Toppan chairman, one of the two largest printing groups in Japan, will highlight some of the thought provoking ways his group and other Japanese companies have embraced technology in the digital age while building on a proud past.
Dennis Mason, Mason Consulting president, a firm specialising in marketing and technology issues in the graphic arts and electronic industries, will present a report on the global state of the print industry in which he will summarise the trends which have been identified in his analysis of the major graphic communications markets. The report will detail areas of growth and shrinkage, as well as differences between geographical and economic developmental areas.
After his presentation, Mason will chair a panel of senior industry leaders including the CEO’s of Heidelberg and MAN Roland, and senior international executives of Xerox, CREO and Kodak who will outline their views of future technological trends.
Sally Cartwright, HELLO! Magazine publishing director and FIPP Environmental Committee chairman, responsible for the Magazine Publishers Environmental Handbook, will present a paper on Environmental concerns. For some time, Europe has implemented legislation which limits the perceived environmental impact of various processes. Many other countries are considering the introduction of similar measures which may jeopardise processes such as gravure. Cartwright will examine lessons which other countries can learn from the European experience.
Charles Lo, C&C Printing Group chief executive, from Hong Kong and China, will share his group’s experiences in moving into one of the world’s fastest growing markets. Lo has successfully engaged in co-operative joint ventures in China and will give a personal insight into the world’s fastest growing printing industry.
Expert in the areas of literacy and a literacy and previous advertising agency head, Elliot Schwartz, will examine the potential for increasing the penetration of print. The printing industry needs to promote, support and extend the use of the printed word and Schwartz will explore the potential for doing this.
Jonathan Leslie, Sappi Limited CEO, will give delegates a glimpse into the strategic thinking that turned Sappi from an isolated regional producer into a global player.
