Expert information will help ensure printers meet latest legislative requirements
FESPA has confirmed an engaging line-up of expert speakers for its first Planet Friendly Summit, taking place on Thursday 24th June 2010 during FESPA 2010 (22-26 June, Messe Munich, Germany).
Printers who don’t comply with EU environmental legislation risk being closed down or being fined thousands of Euros. They also risk missing out on lucrative accounts if their working practices don’t comply with their customers’ sustainability programmes. The Summit will give clear information to printers who could risk falling foul of current and forthcoming legislation if they fail to stay abreast of recent developments and address their environmental practices.
Acknowledging that the environment may have slipped down the commercial agenda for some in the face of the global economic crisis, the programme will also focus on the many positive ways in which improvements to environmental sustainability can boost business performance. Delegates will take away a clear strategic overview of the drivers for adopting sustainable business practices, and leave armed with practical advice on how they can embark on a sustainability programme, or enhance this aspect of their operations.
The inclusion of the free, half-day Planet Friendly Summit in the FESPA Innovate! programme of satellite events running on site in Munich is FESPA’s response to the market’s overwhelming demand for its Planet Friendly Guide. Through its Planet Friendly initiatives, FESPA aims to help the wide format community future-proof itself against forthcoming environmental regulation and legislation.
More importantly, forward-thinking printers need to be proactive to meet growing brand owner demand for more sustainable print production and tighter environmental management through the creative supply chain. This is the focus, for example, of the Planet Friendly Summit session hosted by Robert Horne’s Steve Lister, under the heading What Major Brands are Demanding from Printers.
“Being ‘planet friendly’ is not just about doing the right thing”, emphasises FESPA sales and marketing director Marcus Timson. “Aside from the high risks associated with non-compliance, there is a very sound business argument for adopting more sustainable practices. I meet an increasing number of innovative printers who are reaping the commercial rewards that come from harnessing good environmental credentials as a clear point of differentiation in a crowded and increasingly commoditised market.” One such entrepreneur, Richard Owers of Pureprint Group, will offer Summit delegates his own case study of how his ‘planet friendly’ print business is thriving.
The Summit will look at the close link between sustainability and efficiency and the positive effect this has on margins, with a session from eco-visionary Mike Horsten of the Zemt Green Consultancy, addressing the question Is Planet Friendly Printing Profitable?
The legislative implications will be address by Paul Machin, specialist in European environmental law and co-author of FESPA’s Planet Friendly Guide. Paul’s session, You and the Environment: An EU Perspective 2010 – 2020 will be an invaluable opportunity for any printer seeking to clarify how future legislation will impact their business.
The Planet Friendly Summit will end with a panel debate, followed by a networking session and an opportunity to spend the remainder of the day visiting the FESPA 2010 exhibition.
Registration for FESPA’s Planet Friendly Summit is free, but with places limited, printers wishing to attend should register now at www.fespa2010.com
