Following next generation print training days held at ADAPT (Amari Digital Printing Technologies) in Nottingham, FESPA UK is creating a bigger networking event purely to support 18-30 year-olds who are currently working within the graphics and signage industry. It's a great initiative that would work well here in Oceania.

FESPA Next generation networking day header
Youthful graphics and fresh future thinking - what a great initiative from FESPA UK

FESPA UK, having created many networking events for the industry over the years aimed at more advanced businesses members who invariably have the most influence within a company , poses the question: "When the people at the top retire, will the next generation see the value of sharing information to develop their own careers and to help grow and support the industry as a community?"

It's a question well worth considering for all Sign and Print businesses, especially in Australia and New Zealand.

No "Stuffy people in suits?"

With this in mind, FESPA UK wants to support the next generation in print to grow their confidence, develop their networking skills and be inspired.  So often, younger people view networking as stuffy people in suits walking around and bragging about how awesome they are, but this isn’t a true reflection of networking. FESPA wants to encourage future business owners, account managers, directors and all team members who want to build a career in print, to see the value of growing their communites.

FESPA UK's networking day for people aged between 18-30 will be held on March 15th at the British Car Museum in the central England town of Warwick and will be filled with inspirational speakers, an opportunity to learn more about member's businesses and their own personal development within print. It features an interactive business coaching workshop and plenty of opportunities to meet interesting people, making new connections.

Louise Hart, Sales Director at All Print Supplies, and next generation supporter commented:

The APS Sales team are very excited to work with FESPA UK and attend the “Next Generation networking day” we believe in encouraging young creative minds into our industry and ensuring they have the right tools for them succeed in their chosen career for years to come. To be asked to share our knowledge and experience of roll materials over a variety of applications and sectors is a great honour, and we are very much looking forward to meeting the industry professionals of tomorrow. If you are just starting out or even if you have been in the industry a while, we are on hand every step of the way and will offer our full support.”

Power to the (younger) people

Following two Next Generation training days in January, FESPA UK will be forming a ‘Next Generation Committee’ which will be small group of 18-30 year olds working in print who want to contribute and make lasting changes for like-minded people of the same age group.  This group will be headed up by Jay Burfield FESPA UK’s creative coordinator and will aim to ensure that the Next Generation of print is represented fairly and able to bring new ideas to the businesses they work in.

FESPA UK is thrilled to have the support of Compass Business Finance Ltd, Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd, HP UK Ltd and All Print Supplies Ltd, who have all committed to supporting 18-30 year olds in print with future events and webinars throughout 2023.

It will be fascinating to see this initiative grow around the global FESPA network - with no stuffy people in suits! Baby Boomers take note!

Webpage for the day is https://www.fespauk.com/next-generation-networking-day

FESPA NextGen days
All spaces for FESPA UK's January Next Generation interactive days are filled. March is next up
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