Print.IT Reseller - issue 57

01732 759725 CONFERENCE 24 ...continued initiative 20 Year Anniversary Award Winners 2018 n Manufacturer of the Year Award – Brother q n Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year Award – Antalis q Member of the Year Initiative Awards n Alliance Member of the Year – Emerald Office q multiple factors including digitisation, inflation and the effect of MPS on EOS sales, however, he added: “The majority of respondents are expecting to realise sales growth in 2018.” Of note was the fact that managed print is firmly back on the agenda for the majority of the businesses polled. Ian Whitcombe from Antalis provided food for thought, demonstrating how members can create additional revenue with innovative packaging solutions. He argued that packaging presents a huge opportunity for members to increase revenue. As a case in point, he cited some compelling statistics on the size of the market. Parcel volumes are expected to grow in excess of 2.1 billion by 2019, and the estimated realistic available market for packaging consumables is around £1.2 billion. From innovation to growth Innovators grow twice as fast as non- innovators – was the compelling opening statement from Professor Stephen Roper, Director, Enterprise Research Centre. Citing statistics gleaned from research conducted at the Enterprise Research Centre, he clearly demonstrated the business value-add of innovating in terms of generating value for customers and financial return. Professor Roper spoke about why firms innovate and what types of innovation make the biggest contribution to growth and profitability. He counselled that the number one reason why businesses innovate is to improve the quality of goods and services – a point that resonated with the audience, and provided a few simple metrics that members can use to benchmark their position in terms of the innovation value chain. In the afternoon, Simon Wallis Of note was the fact that managed print is firmly back on the agenda for the majority of the businesses polled n Directory Member of the Year – Active Office n Gold Member of the Year – Office Plus – Jersey q of InControl marketing hosted an informative workshop focusing on digital marketing and the importance of email communications as part of the marketing mix. Supplier exhibition Delegates welcomed the opportunity to enjoy the three-and-a-half-hour long supplier exhibition which featured 61 companies including Integra, network with their peers and share ideas and experiences. Marking the 20th anniversary of initiative, Integra was offering members a 20 per cent discount off its FS and Educations Essentials publications as well as initiative mailers and campaigns. The team also showcased its education, workwear and eco-packaging offering, alongside live demos of the Intouch email marketing solution. Integra Creative were also out in force, talking to delegates about the range of creative solutions on offer and the preferential rates available to Integra members. Elsewhere, members enjoyed the opportunity to meet with many of their key suppliers under one roof and benefit from some of the many exclusive promotions on offer. www.integra-business.co.uk The Voice 2018 finalists, Bella Voci