IPIA Conference will ask print to look “beyond the margin”

The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) will host its Annual Conference on August 28^th, with the event set to tackle the issue of how to achieve business growth and overcome market challenges.

Held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, the 2025 edition of the conference is titled “Beyond the Margin – charting new territory for growth, adaptation, and commercial success in print.”

Speaking of this year’s event, Alasdair Browne, chair of the IPIA, says: “This year’s theme reflects a pressing need for our industry to look past the immediate pressures of day‑to‑day operation, fighting to protect profit margins on existing work, and consider where future growth will come from.

“The conference brings together in-depth research, practical case studies, and expert perspectives to help print businesses navigate those wider opportunities.”

The conference will encourage delegates to explore new markets, smarter processes, and fresh thinking, challenging them to think about how their businesses can evolve and thrive, rather than simply survive.

Delegates will hear from leaders across the print, mail, finance, economics, and sustainability sectors, with speakers sharing business intelligence and analysis to reveal routes to adaptation and commercial success.

Topics will include the power of personalisation and mail, how to advocate for the sustainability of print and paper, the UK’s economic outlook, and the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence.

Katerina Lisenkova, senior economist at NatWest, will deliver the keynote address, exploring topics from climate and demographic shifts to geopolitical tension and inflation and assessing how market trends are likely to impact UK industries and businesses.

Lisenkova’s address will also offer insights into the ripple effects of economic change, including supply chain disruption, labour market shifts, and regional disparities.

The conference will also include a Technology Expo and Networking Hub, where a range of technology developers and suppliers will showcase new innovations and discuss sector trends, with the areas designed to spark new partnerships and ideas that strengthen business competitiveness.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day, starting with networking and breakfast at 9am, four conference sessions, breaks for networking and lunch, and concluding with a drinks reception at 4pm.

Peter Horwood, chair of the IPIA’s Networking and Collaboration Committee, adds: “Our focus is on creating a space where people can meet, exchange ideas, and find potential partners without the pressure.

“The day allows plenty of time for conversations alongside the speaker sessions, so whether you’re new to IPIA events or have attended before, it’s a chance to connect with peers and explore what’s next for your business.”

Those who wish to attend the event have been encouraged to purchase tickets through the IPIA website, with spaces reportedly limited and running out fast.

In the 2024 edition of the Annual Conference, the IPIA officially announced its ‘New Narrative for Print’ project, which aims to permanently shift the perception of print by end-users, consumer audiences, and related sectors through a range of research, advocacy, and outreach projects.

Print Monthly’s David Osgar was invited as a speaker at the event, offering industry insight alongside Jack Gocher from Eye on Display and Richard Stuart-Turner from Printweek in the ‘A View from the Press’ panel. The session circled back to many topics discussed throughout the day including young people in print, the future of the industry, and diversification.

In December 2024, the association finalised its ‘New Narrative for Print’ white paper, collating thousands of data points to understand the public perception of print and how the industry can effect positive change.