Auckland’s Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre will host the annual Single Width Users’ Group Conference on August 22-23.
Ray Clarkson, acting Swug committee chairperson, says, the conference, themed Tangibly Trusted, will feature a line up of excellent speakers including leading financial journalist and editor, Bernard Hickey. Clarkson says, “With over 23 years’ experience including roles with Reuters, the Financial Times Group and Fairfax Media in Wellington, Canberra, Sydney, London and Singapore, Bernard is well known to most New Zealanders.
“Bernard is a regular commentator on financial, economic and investment issues, regularly appearing on radio, television, Interest.co.nz and in the Herald on Sunday. He is particularly well-informed with matters related to house prices, interest rates, finance companies, banks, international economic issues, and online media and is currently the publisher of economics/politics news E-mail, Hive News.
“Known to sometimes express controversial views, we expect Bernhard will engage in a refreshing way with our audience via a presentation tailored to cover areas of particular importance and relevance to them.”
Clarkson says organisers chose Tangibly Trusted as this year’s conference theme to emphasise what this distinctive sector of the print industry produces and how it is perceived. He says, “Members of Swug are entrusted to deliver high-quality print products that consumers can tangibly embrace.
To emphasise and celebrate that proud role we’ve also had a fun but strong conference logo created. It reflects elements of print via the use of CMYK, cut-outs to represent the tangible/tactile aspect of paper, imagery of people and teams working together as well as trust via the logo’s central star formed within the legs of the ‘people’.”
As in previous years, the conference programme will cover a variety of relevant fields and include site visits to Horton Media and to Paper Reclaim. The conference will also feature the Swug Awards for printing excellence and the Apprentice of the Year as well as a networking dinner.
Online registration will soon become available via the Swug web site www.swug.co.nz. Last year’s award winners gain complimentary attendance to the conference. Clarkson says, “We expect another interactive and engaging event this year, which is likely to attract over 130 delegates and suppliers, reflecting the strength of interest and passion within this unique sector of the print industry.”
Waipuna Conference Centre also offers hotel accommodation, which you can book by contacting the venue directly by phone 09 526 3003 or e-mail res@waipunahotel.co.nz — while quoting the booking reference “PROM0817” to ensure special rates and a room is secured from the allocated conference block, visit www.waipunahotel.co.nz.
The SWUG committee extends its appreciation to the generous sponsors of the conference, whose united support makes the event possible.
