FESPA’s Slovakian (Sietotlacovy zvaz SR) and Czech (Sitotiskovy svaz CR) member associations will join together from 14th – 15th October 2011 in Piešťany, Slovakia, to deliver their 7th FESPA supported seminar, ‘Bill 7’. This annual seminar attracts screen and digital printers from across Eastern Europe to discover the latest industry trends and insights applicable to their business. Supported by FESPA as part of its Reinvestment Programme, Bill 7 is also open to students from the region by invitation.
Over a two day period attendees will engage with print experts through a series of presentations and workshops on topics including technologies, inks, printing methods and innovative business models.
“It is seven years since we launched the seminar, and in that time we have been happy to see printers return again and again to connect with colleagues from around Eastern Europe. Aside from the practical and commercial knowledge exchanged, the atmosphere in which it occurs is extraordinary,” says Ludovit Bartos, Secretary of Sietotlacovy Zvaz SR. “There’s a real social aspect to the seminar, and we believe this relaxed atmosphere facilitates a more efficient transfer of information than can be delivered online.”
The first day of ‘Bill 7’ steps away from the traditional seminar format, inviting delegates to review the printed artwork of local secondary art school students to see the print industry’s future talent. The work was produced as part of a competition, sponsored by Océ, in which art students were challenged to design a series of posters and submit them online to be printed digitally. The three winning designs will be presented to the delegates, along with the work of others for discussion. Running alongside this, a roundtable event will facilitate networking and product demonstrations between printers and print vendors.
The seminar line-up includes print pioneer Michel Caza who will share his experience as the first printer to use water-based UV for professional textile printing. He will be followed by Sergij Glushko from SL Graphics, Ukraine, who will discuss environmentally friendly materials for the production of POS and advertising graphics. He will also reveal his expertise in the manufacturing and application of EL and LED displays. While production tends to dominate management thinking, Martin Novotny, Senior Consultant of Grafie Cz, Czech Republic, will talk about the importance of marketing for sales success. He will describe how the implementation of simple marketing techniques can influence a company’s prospects and profitability.
Following the success of FESPA Digital 2011, FESPA’s Head of Membership Services, Chris Smith, will be on hand to provide delegates with a detailed account of Europe’s largest digital print event. For Slovak and Czech printers who were unable to attend this year’s exhibition, Chris will share exhibition highlights and industry trends made apparent from visitor and exhibitor data as well as providing an insight into whether digital signage is a threat or opportunity for printers.
“FESPA is proud to support events like Bill 7. The speaker line-up is always first-class and the programme is committed to helping business managers and students discover what is needed to drive business forward and to stand out from the competition. This year is no exception and we look forward to participating in this insightful and interesting event,” says Chris Smith.
Continuing its support for the printers of the future, the Slovakian association, with the support of FESPA and the Slovakian Government, will also engage with students with a series of practical workshops during the coming school year. Having helped to develop a screen printing department within Trencin secondary art school, they will provide screen and digital print training for students. Inks and other materials including squeegees will be provided by generous local industry sponsors. The workshops will take place between September 2011 and February 2012. At the end of this time the students will each receive copies of their prints. Outstanding work will be printed and exhibited at local exhibitions and hopefully at FESPA 2013 in London.
Delegate fees for members of FESPA national member associations are 105 EUR for the full package, or 50 EUR excluding the hotel room. For non-members the price is 125 EUR including one nights’ accommodation, and 80 EUR excluding accommodation.
Places are limited so for more details, and to register to attend Bill 7 visit www.sietotlacovyzvaz.sk
