Finding your way through the doom and gloom of the current political and economic turmoil we find ourselves in is not going to be easy. You will need guidance and assistance to navigate safe passage. But, where do you turn for this sort of information?

Sources of information are everywhere, but how do you know what is relevant and appropriate for your business? Only those people with the right information can make proper decisions for the future of their companies. It is for this reason that The GAPP Conference has been created to bring only the most relevant information together for the professionals in the printing, packaging and signage sectors to give them strategic insights for the future of their companies and their markets.

The GAPP Conference will feature leading business, political and industry commentators and speakers. It is taking part in conjunction with The GAPP Print Expo trade show at Nasrec from 15 to 18 March as part of the Propak Africa Show. The GAPP Conference has been sponsored by a number of leading companies in the local printing, packaging and signage industry. Nashua has signed on as Platinum Sponsor of the event. Said Jessica Midlane, Brand Manager at Nashua, ‘The coming together of like-minded and business-savvy individuals in the Production Print industry in South Africa has previously been limited to large and impersonal gatherings. The world-class knowledge share and level of expertise at The GAPP Conference promises not only to be hugely informative, but will also give the chance for these individuals to share experiences and network on a level that holds true value.’

The GAPP Conference in association with Nashua will be held in the Black Eagle Room at Nasrec and will include lunch and the ability to interact with the speakers. Proceedings for the day will be managed by the Master of Ceremonies Derek Watts, award-winning journalist and anchor of MNET’s Carte Blanche. He will be joined by Justice Malala who will outline the political state of the country, and Alec Hogg who will give an overview of the economic climate in the country and where South Africa finds itself as part of the world economy.

These two well-known business analysts will be accompanied by industry speakers Linda Jackson focusing on the key legal requirements for packaging in the food industry, Mike Horsten who will look at the large-format printing and signage market and, international lecturer and journalist Laurel Brunner who will address the state of the international printing industry.

Brent Gehlig, Product Manager for Production Printing at Nashua added, ‘2016 is an important year for Nashua – our business has been structured so that we can actively concentrate on our lines of business – Production Print being one of them. The technology that Nashua can offer to both existing and potential clients in this arena is world class, and we are excited to show the market our capabilities through the sponsorship of The GAPP Conference. This combined with the super mix of leading experts on the relevant subject matter and the opportunity to provide real value to our existing and potential clients makes this an ideal opportunity for Nashua.’

Kemtek Imaging Systems has also signed up as a sponsor of The GAPP Conference. Said Gavin van Rensburg, Group Managing Director, ‘At a time when uncertainty about economic and political factors in our country combined with the difficult climate in our industry, this conference will help answer many of the questions which are on people’s minds. We are happy to sponsor this conference and to assist in bringing this information to our clients and the market as a whole.’

Sponsorships have also been received from Konica Minolta South Africa, The SA Print Directory and Hi-Tech Inks. Leon Minnie, Product Manager for Production Printing Systems at Konica Minolta South Africa commented, ‘This conference is invaluable for any company active in the printing and packaging industry. There is no resource more valuable than information and this is what The GAPP Conference will offer the local industry.’

‘Commenting on the sponsorship, Hayley Palmer, Managing Director of Hi-Tech Inks said, ‘This will be a great platform for making converters and packaging buyers aware of our presence in the printing and packaging industry. It will also allow Hi-Tech Inks to source new customers and suppliers, and to inform the printing and packaging market that we are a South African ink manufacturing company which specialises in flexographic and gravure inks, and to expose those inks to the marketplace. This Conference will offer the local market the insights it needs to make reasoned decisions for the future and will help us to gain the exposure for our products on an international platform.’

Said Vikesh Roopchand, Managing Director of Sentient Events, a subsidiary of Sentient Publishing and organiser of The GAPP Conference, ‘We are delighted to have the support of this line-up of sponsors for this inaugural staging of the conference. We would like to express our thanks to all our sponsors for their participation and look forward to joining them to provide local printers in all sectors of the industry with the knowledge and information that they need to survive and thrive as we move forward.

‘We believe we have attracted speakers and commentators of the highest calibre to offer delegates valuable information for the future of their businesses. We have addressed the main sectors of the industry and also business in the South African context. This conference differs from others which have taken place before in that it does not look at industry separately from the situation in the country. The aim is to bring the industry into focus but only as it pertains to the local market as this is what local printers, packaging manufacturers and signage manufacturers want. They need to know how trends will affect their business and this can only be done by bring all these elements together. We feel confident that the local market will gain a wealth of knowledge.’

For more information on how to book for the conference and the costs involved, visit www.sentientevents.co.za or call 011 475