Print industry association IPIA is to host the ‘Recognising Excellence Expo and Gala’ on 2 December, 2021, as it seeks to, ‘generate confidence and help kickstart our sector’s growth.’

The event will be held in early December at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon, and will be IPIA’s first physical event for almost two years. The Recognising Excellence Expo and Gala is being organised by IPIA in partnership with sister association BAPC.

Lucy Swanston, chair of IPIA’s event subcommittee, explained, ‘Covid-19 drove most of us online, but in amongst digital fatigue, print continued to demonstrate its relevance and effectiveness as part of marketing activity. Now it is time for us to show leadership, come together, generate confidence and help kickstart our sector’s growth.’

The expo and associated networking kicks off at 11am, and runs until 3.30pm. A buffet lunch and an address from IPIA chairman Graeme Smith on market trends will break up the daytime agenda. From 3.30-4.30pm, IPIA will host its AGM. A champagne reception and gala dinner commences at 7pm, with the Recognising Excellence Awards presented from 9-10pm. These will coincide with a round of Stand-up Bingo. Rock and pop band Hypersonix will close the event.

Whilst IPIA and BAPC are more closely aligned with the commercial print industry and its needs, they are shifting their attention to the potential in digital packaging production. This has been hastened by the consequences of Covid-19, which caused a number of the commercial print industry to investigate and pivot towards packaging; a sector of print that proved itself to be largely recession- and pandemic-proof over the last 18 months.

Suppliers participating in the expo portion of the day include Antalis, Canon, Duplo, Fujifilm and Konica Minolta. Whitmar Publications, the parent company of Digital Labels & Packaging, will also have a stand.

Ms Swanston, who is managing director at Nutshell Creative in her day-to-day working life, added, ‘We are looking forward to not only seeing what our print technology providers have got to showcase, but to also welcome print buyers, agencies, trade houses and suppliers to the event.’

For full details and to book tickets, visit ipia.org.uk/recognising-excellence.