The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) has seen its membership grow 5% during the Covid pandemic.
Chairman Graeme Smith, said: “No one knew where to go or what to do at the start of the pandemic, but we very quickly established a direct conduit with the Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). We continue to hold weekly scheduled calls with them to relay members’ perspectives on anything from business restrictions to Brexit and sustainability. We became, and remain, a critical, reliable and trusted source of advice for members, as well as a key influencer in policy development and helping Government shape its industrial strategy.
“While we have sadly lost some members, which ceased trading because of the economic impact of Covid-19, I believe the fact that we have this credibility and punch well above our weight is one of the key reasons we’ve continued to grow and attract a new group of businesses to membership.”
In 2021 the IPIA produced a membership benefits guide that has since seen benefits uptake increase by more than 30%.
When the Government announced its Kickstart Scheme last autumn, the IPIA also became a gateway for 30 businesses and, as a result, 129 job vacancies have been created for young people who otherwise might not yet have made it into employment.
Pre-Covid-19, the IPIA ran, or participated in, at least ten networking events every year and in April 2021 it launched a new fortnightly virtual ‘Big Breakfast’ event. Looking towards the last quarter of 2021, the IPIA plans to host its first in-person event since Covid-19 on 2 December at the Crowne Plaza Stratford Upon Avon where it will run a mini-expo and networking lunch followed by gala dinner and ‘Recognising Excellence Awards’ night.
“The first half of 2021 has been tough, and we certainly couldn’t have achieved what we have without the unwavering commitment of our sponsors, members and volunteer-led councils. The vast majority of our members are print managers, print buyers, printers and trade houses, but we also welcome new members from complimentary service providers keen to network and collaborate,” ended Smith.