- 01785 253 796
- info@ipia.org.uk
- Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 18:30
Inspirational and educational speakers will combine with amazing networking opportunities, a mini-expo, as well as top class food and refreshments. The day will then be topped off with networking drinks – a chance to make further new business connections and unwind. All of this is covered by one ticket price.
Supported by an amazing array of industry technology developers and suppliers, the conference will also feature an Expo and Networking Hub – where delegates can learn about wider sector trends and advances, while building relationships with new business prospects.
Critically, attendees will be able to find new opportunities to help grow their business and provided with direction to help it thrive in the long-term.
The theme for this year’s event, ‘Print to Performance – Unlocking Our Industry’s True Potential’, reflects the ambition of today’s print leaders: transforming how print is valued, positioned, and leveraged to drive measurable business outcomes.
In a rapidly evolving marketplace, print’s greatest opportunity lies not in what it produces, but in the performance it delivers. From strengthening brands and enhancing customer experiences to enabling sustainability and delivering commercial impact, print has a far bigger role to play than many organisations realise.
Print to Performance explores the ideas, evidence, and opportunities emerging from the IPIA’s New Narrative for Print research and print advocacy campaign. Through a range of perspectives, speakers will examine how the sector can reshape perceptions, communicate value more effectively, and unlock new avenues for growth.
This year’s Conference will showcase how creative businesses are redefining the role of print, embracing innovation, and turning industry potential into commercial performance.
With fresh insight, practical examples, and inspiring case studies, it offers the tools and thinking needed to help your business thrive in the years ahead.
Gain insight, business intelligence and
inspiration from our amazing speakers
Our Conference speakers will each draw on their own experience and expertise to provide a unique take on the theme of this year’s conference: Print to Performance: Unlocking Our Industry’s True Potential.
What you will take away:
Education and Inspiration
Fireside Chat: In-depth Insights and Opportunity
Adaptation and Growth
Panel Discussion: Will Printers Ever Change?
The print industry has transformed dramatically over recent decades, embracing digital technologies, automation, personalisation and new business models. Yet one question remains: have we truly changed the way we think about our role, or do we still define ourselves through output rather than outcomes?
This closing panel brings together a cross section of experience from across the print industry – each offering a different perspective on how the sector has evolved and where it must go next.
The discussion will explore whether print businesses can or should transition from production-led manufacturers into consultative partners that solve broader marketing and communications challenges.
From leadership and culture to sales, technology, customer expectations and business strategy, the panel will examine what is driving change, what continues to hold businesses back, and how businesses can position themselves to create greater value for customers. Expect an open, honest and thought-provoking discussion that challenges assumptions and leaves delegates with fresh ideas as the Conference draws to a close.
Expert Analysis and Market Trends
Joining Information
Thursday, August 27th 2026
Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC),
Ansty Park,
Coventry,
CV7 9JU
There is then a 15-minute taxi ride from Coventry Train Station.
If you are coming from the north, Nuneaton is the closest station, again, there is approximately a 15-
minute taxi ride from the station to the MTC.
Business casual
Annual Conference 2026 Agenda
9.00 – Early Bird Networking and Breakfast
10.00 – Conference Session 1
11.00 – Refreshment Break and Networking in the Expo
11.30 – Conference Session 2
12.45 – Lunch and Networking in the Expo
14.00 – Conference Session 3
15.00 – Refreshment Break and Networking in the Expo
15.30 – Conference Session 4
16.00 – Drinks Reception and Networking
17:00 – Event ends
Optional: Post-event networking at The Lazy Monkey (
The IPIA would not be able to create events such as our Annual Conference without the support of our amazing sponsor members. They are all dedicated to supporting the growth of the print industry in the UK and their contribution is invaluable. They also ensure that our events remain affordable and accessible – opening them up to a far wider spectrum of smaller businesses. Please find out more by clicking on the links below and we look forward to welcoming them at the Conference.
The print industry possesses compelling evidence of its commercial effectiveness, yet it continues to struggle to communicate and capture that value beyond its own sector. Why?
This keynote argues that while the industry has become exceptionally good at creating commercial value, it has not become equally effective at communicating it. Drawing on research from the IPA, JICMAIL and award-winning effectiveness case studies, delegates will be challenged to consider whether the industry has framed its proposition through a manufacturing mindset rather than one centred on marketing and creative effectiveness.
Using examples of creative reframing from both inside and outside the print industry, the session explores how creativity and emotion shape perception, how perception influences commercial value, and why the organisations that communicate value most effectively are often those that capture the greatest share of it.
Delegates will leave with a practical framework to help create, communicate and capture more of the commercial value they already deliver.
About Dr Chris Jones…
Dr Jones is a marketing effectiveness expert, creative strategist and academic whose work bridges research, education and commercial practice. He is the Founder and Chief Effectiveness Officer of the Ministry of Marketing Effectiveness and serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean.
He has been a lecturer and professor at a number of the UK’s top universities and most recently he was Senior Lecturer and Course Leader at Ravensbourne University London – where he led the transformation of its MBA programme, introduced print marketing as a degree level assessed module, and established highly-successful partnerships between the print industry and academia.
Dr Jones is also the originator of Creative Capital Expenditure, a pioneering framework that positions creativity as a strategic business investment, demonstrating how creative thinking drives commercial performance, competitive advantage and long-term business growth.
Every business has a story worth telling, but not every story captures attention. Whether you are building a personal profile, strengthening your brand or growing your business, success depends on communicating the value behind what you do, not simply what you do. If that value is not immediately clear, your audience will simply move on.
This is not a session promising five magic formulas or the secret to mastering the latest social media algorithm. Instead, Mark will challenge you to think differently about storytelling, helping you uncover the stories that make your business memorable, relevant and influential.
A lifelong storyteller, Mark understands that while marketing frameworks, data and white papers all have their place, nothing connects, persuades or creates lasting memories quite like a compelling story. Leave with fresh ideas for telling print’s story in ways that inspire customers, partners and influencers to listen, remember and act.
About Mark…
Mark is founder of The Spark Organisation, helping businesses unlock the power of storytelling through live events, presentations, video and strategic communications. Before launching The Spark in 2026, Mark spent almost 27 years with Fujifilm Graphic Communications Europe, where he held senior commercial, product management and business development roles, becoming one of the print industry’s most recognised presenters and ambassadors.
An IPIA Council Member and Vice Chair of the Association, Mark is passionate about championing the future of print. Renowned for his engaging stage presence and infectious enthusiasm, he helps organisations communicate their value through stories that inform, inspire and influence.
What does it take to move from being a print manufacturer to becoming a trusted business partner? In this engaging fireside chat, Carys will sit down with Peter to explore the transformation of a print business that has successfully shifted its focus from producing print to delivering measurable customer outcomes.
Through an open and insightful conversation, Peter will share how Statex has evolved into a consultative business that helps clients solve marketing and communications challenges across direct mail, commercial print, wide format, signage, packaging and promotional merchandise. The discussion will examine how creativity, innovation and customer insight have shaped the company’s culture, from the development of its inspiring Wow Box to its strategic use of personalisation to drive engagement and campaign performance.
Packed with practical insights and real-world examples, this session will demonstrate that delivering on the potential of print to drive business performance is not simply an aspiration, but an achievable blueprint for sustainable business growth.
About Carys…
Carys Evans is Account Manager at Karis Copp Media, where she works closely with leading print and graphics businesses to strengthen their brands through strategic public relations, content creation, communications and thought leadership. Helping clients articulate their expertise, raise their profile and build meaningful connections across the industry, she combines a strong understanding of the sector with a journalistic approach to storytelling.
Before joining Karis Copp Media in 2024, Carys spent six years with Print Monthly and SignLink, progressing from News Reporter to Online Editor before becoming Editor of both titles in 2021. During that time, she interviewed many of the industry’s leading figures, covered major international events including drupa and FESPA, and was part of the team behind The Print Show, giving her a broad understanding of the businesses, technologies and trends shaping the future of print.
What does it take to move from being a print manufacturer to becoming a trusted business partner? In this engaging fireside chat, Carys will sit down with Peter to explore the transformation of a print business that has successfully shifted its focus from producing print to delivering measurable customer outcomes.
Through an open and insightful conversation, Peter will share how Statex has evolved into a consultative business that helps clients solve marketing and communications challenges across direct mail, commercial print, wide format, signage, packaging and promotional merchandise. The discussion will examine how creativity, innovation and customer insight have shaped the company’s culture, from the development of its inspiring Wow Box to its strategic use of personalisation to drive engagement and campaign performance.
Packed with practical insights and real-world examples, this session will demonstrate that delivering on the potential of print to drive business performance is not simply an aspiration, but an achievable blueprint for sustainable business growth.
About Peter…
Peter is Managing Director of Statex, an award-winning print and communications business based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Since becoming one of the company’s leaders and owners following a management buyout, he has helped drive Statex’s strategic evolution, expanding its capabilities across commercial print, direct mail, large format, personalised communications and integrated marketing services.
Under his leadership, the business has continued to invest in advanced production technology, automation and customer-focused innovation, earning recognition for initiatives such as its acclaimed Wow Box.
Peter is a strong advocate of using creativity, technology and strategic thinking to help customers achieve better commercial outcomes, positioning print as a powerful driver of marketing and business performance.
Rising Star Awards' Alumni Panel
The future of the print industry depends on more than technology, investment and innovation. It depends on people. The skills, creativity, commitment and experience of those working across our sector remain one of its greatest competitive advantages, making talent development and retention essential to long-term success.
Hosted by Sam, this engaging panel brings together alumni of The Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards, each of whom has built a successful career in print. Through their personal journeys, they will share what first attracted them to the industry, what has fuelled their passion and development, and why print continues to offer exciting opportunities for people with diverse talents and ambitions. Their stories provide a powerful insight into the industry’s potential while exploring how we can inspire and support the next generation of print professionals.
The discussion will also examine the practical steps businesses can take to improve recruitment, strengthen retention and develop the next generation of talent. Above all, it will highlight how the passion, expertise and enthusiasm of our people are helping redefine perceptions of print as a modern, innovative and technologically advanced industry with an exciting future.
About Sam…
Sam is passionate about helping young people build successful, fulfilling careers within the print industry. As Careers and Development Manager at The Printing Charity, he leads a range of initiatives designed to inspire, support and develop the next generation of talent, including the highly regarded Rising Star Awards programme.
Working closely with businesses, educators and industry professionals, Sam is committed to ensuring that as many eligible people as possible understand the opportunities available to them through the charity.
From career development, mentoring and networking to practical guidance and personal support, his mission is to help individuals realise their potential while strengthening the industry’s future through a confident, skilled and ambitious workforce.
Marcus will explore why the leadership and business models that shaped previous decades are no longer sufficient in a world defined by disruption, uncertainty and accelerating technological change. He argues that future success will belong not to organisations that simply optimise existing systems, but to those prepared to challenge convention, embrace intelligent risk and build cultures where creativity and innovation can thrive.
Drawing on leadership theory, psychology, business strategy and storytelling, this session examines the human factors increasingly driving commercial performance. Marcus explores adaptive leadership, the importance of unlearning, the value of diverse thinking, shifting B2B buying behaviour and why Europe has fallen behind in breakthrough innovation.
Rather than focusing on technology itself, A New Operating System is a practical and optimistic call to action, offering leaders fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to build more agile, resilient and future-ready organisations capable of succeeding in a rapidly changing world.
About Marcus…
Marcus will explore why the leadership and business models that shaped previous decades are no longer sufficient in a world defined by disruption, uncertainty and accelerating technological change. He argues that future success will belong not to organisations that simply optimise existing systems, but to those prepared to challenge convention, embrace intelligent risk and build cultures where creativity and innovation can thrive.
Drawing on leadership theory, psychology, business strategy and storytelling, this session examines the human factors increasingly driving commercial performance. Marcus explores adaptive leadership, the importance of unlearning, the value of diverse thinking, shifting B2B buying behaviour and why Europe has fallen behind in breakthrough innovation.
Rather than focusing on technology itself, A New Operating System is a practical and optimistic call to action, offering leaders fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to build more agile, resilient and future-ready organisations capable of succeeding in a rapidly changing world.
About Brendan…
Brendan is General Manager of the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA), where he champions the growth, reputation and long-term success of the print and visual communications industry.
Working with businesses, policymakers, technology partners and the wider marketing community, he is passionate about reshaping perceptions of print by promoting its commercial, creative and sustainable value.
Before joining the IPIA in 2019, Brendan built a career spanning undercover investigative journalism, publishing and events, including roles with an array of Scottish and Welsh regional newspapers, The Sunday Times, Print Monthly and SignLink, before co-founding The Print Show in 2015. A respected industry commentator, speaker and editor, he is known for bringing people together, challenging conventional thinking and helping businesses see beyond print to the value it creates.
About Karis…
Karis Copp is Founder and Managing Director of Karis Copp Media, a specialist PR and communications agency dedicated exclusively to the global print, graphic arts and visual communications industries. Since establishing the agency, she has built a reputation for helping businesses strengthen their brands through strategic communications, thought leadership and storytelling that delivers measurable commercial impact.
Today, Karis Copp Media works with clients across Europe and North America, combining deep sector knowledge with a global perspective. Before founding the agency, Karis was an editor and journalist with SignLink and Print Monthly magazines and part of the founding team behind The Print Show, giving her a unique understanding of the industry’s people, technologies and markets.
About Mike…
Mike Roberts is CEO of JPS Print Management and Managing Director of PMG Print Management, bringing more than 35 years of experience in the UK print and communications industry.
Having begun his career at Hardy Business Forms before joining Alistair McIntosh, Mike acquired PMG over 20 years ago and has led its growth into one of the UK’s leading independent print management businesses. In 2024, he and his wife Ellie acquired JPS Print Management, where he now serves as CEO.
Mike is also Past President and Chair of the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) and has long championed collaboration, innovation and the strategic value of print across the wider communications industry.
About Rebekah…
Rebekah Hughes is a Marketing Executive at Latcham, where she helps shape the company’s brand, marketing strategy and communications, promoting its expertise in data-driven, personalised communications and customer engagement.
A graduate of Oxford Brookes University, where she achieved a First-Class degree, Rebekah joined Latcham after developing a strong foundation in marketing and digital communications.
In 2025, she was named IPIA Young Leader of the Year, recognising her creativity, strategic insight and contribution to both Latcham and the wider print industry. Passionate about attracting the next generation into print, Rebekah is a strong advocate for the industry’s future, championing innovation, sustainability and the dynamic role of print within modern marketing.
About Nigel…
Nigel Toplis is Chairman of The Bardon Group, the specialist franchise organisation behind Kall Kwik, Recognition Express and several other successful business brands.
With more than 30 years’ experience in franchising, Nigel has played a leading role in growing one of the UK’s best-known print and promotional services networks. A former Chairman of the British Franchise Association, Council Member for the British Association for Print and Communication, and Honorary Fellow of Lancaster University, he is also the author of three books on franchising.
Throughout his career, Nigel has championed customer-focused business development, entrepreneurship and the evolution of print from a transactional service into a broader business solutions offering.
In an increasingly complex economic landscape, understanding the forces shaping business has never been more important. In this insightful session, Ewan Thompson, Economist at NatWest, will provide a timely overview of the latest UK economic outlook, examining the key trends influencing growth, inflation, interest rates, consumer confidence and business investment.
Drawing on NatWest’s latest economic research and regional business intelligence, Ewan will place today’s economic environment into context, helping delegates understand the challenges and opportunities facing UK businesses over the coming months. He will also explore what the evolving economic picture could mean specifically for the print and visual communications sector, from changing customer demand and investment confidence to wider market trends.
Combining evidence-based analysis with practical insight, this session will equip business leaders with a clearer understanding of the economic landscape, enabling them to make more informed strategic decisions in an uncertain but opportunity-rich environment.
About Ewan…
Ewan is Economics and Climate Manager within NatWest Group, where he analyses the economic, business and climate trends shaping the UK’s commercial landscape. His work brings together macroeconomics, sustainable finance and climate strategy, helping businesses understand the risks and opportunities emerging from a rapidly changing economy.
Ewan holds a First Class MA (Hons) in Economics and History from the University of Dundee, an MSc with Distinction in Climate Change Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh, and the CFA Institute’s ESG Investing qualification. A regular speaker at business events, he combines rigorous economic analysis with practical insight to help organisations make informed strategic decisions
Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, but cutting through the hype to understand where it delivers genuine value remains one of today’s biggest leadership challenges. For print and visual communications businesses, AI presents significant opportunities to improve productivity, automate workflows, enhance decision-making and unlock new commercial possibilities. Yet successful adoption depends on far more than technology alone.
In this practical and thought-provoking session, Professor Richard Hill explores how AI is reshaping manufacturing and business operations, examining where it can create measurable value and where caution is needed. Addressing governance, workforce capability, ethics, data quality and implementation, he will provide a balanced perspective on the opportunities and responsibilities AI presents.
Rather than focusing on theory or speculation, delegates will leave with practical insights and a structured framework for adopting AI responsibly, helping them harness its potential to strengthen innovation, competitiveness and customer value while preserving the expertise, creativity and human judgement that remain at the heart of successful print businesses.
About Professor Richard Hill…
Professor Richard Hill is Professor of Agentic Artificial Intelligence at the University of Huddersfield and Director of the University’s Centre for Industrial Analytics. Previously Head of the Department of Computer Science, he leads research and industry collaboration focused on artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and digital transformation.
He is also a Technical Institute Team Member contributing to the ATLAS collaboration at CERN, supporting one of the world’s largest scientific research programmes. Combining academic leadership with extensive industrial experience, Professor Hill works with organisations to help leaders understand, govern and apply AI in ways that improve decision-making, productivity and long-term business performance.
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