Sustainability was the key theme when a large audience of almost 100 delegates attended the first FESPA Australia conference last week in Sydney's Shangri-la Hotel.
Keynote speaker Jon Dee, Author, Broadcaster, Campaigner and Australian of The Year 2010 (NSW), set the scene by stressing the importance of sustainability to gain and retain business. He added that sustainability is much more than a vague 'green sympathy' and highlighted that it's about innovation, efficiency, and long- term business planning.
More and more brands and consumers were choosing not to work with suppliers not meeting their sustainable objectives. In the future, even financial services will be more cost-effective for sustainable companies.
Panel discussion mixed in with streamed interviews and presentations expanded further on the framework of the triple bottom line of People, Planet Profit.
A recurring message throughout the conference was the importance of partnerships and collaboration to bring about change. Consider partnering up and down the chain with your suppliers and customers to find sustainable solutions. Tap into the extensive resources of associations and organisations committed to sustainability.
A video by Graeme Richardson-Locke, FESPA, along with a panel discussion with Zaidee Jackson, Ball & Doggett and Thomas Anderson from Starleaton, addressed how they work toward achieving sustainable priorities. Establishing clear objectives and goal setting was a priority, along with fact-checking and auditing each step of your journey towards your goals.
Julian Lowe, Coritex, Jeff Barr, AFI Branding and Jordan Leach, Avery Dennison, discussed their company's practical approach to circular economic practices, including case studies of textile recycling and recycling of end caps.
The remainder of the conference focussed on people. Automate - don't fill unfillable jobs was the message by KeyPoint Intelligence based on their research. Nigel Davies, M-Power Software and Doug Robey, DFlow, expanded on the automation theme, arguing that the key to automation lies in collecting rich data in your cloud-based MIS and working towards standardisation and integration in small steps.
Attendees heard an inspirational story from Jaimee Rogers, Sky News Sports Presenter, who shared her motivational journey of endurance and perseverance of recently swimming the English Channel.
Carl Harman, Imago Leadership, introduced the FESPA Future Leaders cohort. He pointed out that investing in leadership and culture change will be heard in stories rather than on the bottom line - the team member who decided to stay rather than leave, decisions made differently and business relationships on a new footing. Keith Ferrel, Cactus Imaging, Ben Eaton, Starleaton and Troy Cavanagh, Imagbox, gave their insights into better leadership.
The organisers received fantastic positive feedback from both delegates and sponsors in attendance and expressed their support for the next event. Based on the conference's success and the Future Leaders program, planning has already commenced for 2023.
The FESPA Annual Conference was made possible through the generous support of Diamond Sponsor Orafol, Gold Sponsors Ball & Doggett, Durst, Starleaton, Visual Connections, Silver Sponsors Kissel and Wolf, M- Power Software, Cactus Imaging, Bronze Sponsors HVG and Ricky Richards.
About FESPA Australia
FESPA Australia is one of 37 National associations that make up the FESPA federation.
We work together to promote FESPA’s goal to be the leading globally connected imaging community re- investing its profits to inspire, educate and grow our industry. Our members include leading digital printers, screen printers, sign makers, textile and apparel, and promotional products printers who manufacture a diverse range of products.
