Overseas guests join 'fantastic' SWUG NZ event

Sep 14, 2015 at 01:30 am by Staff


Delegates from Tonga, Fiji and Australia joined their Kiwi hosts for the New Zealand Single Width Users' Group conference in Rotorua last month.

Chairman Dan Blackbourn says it was pleasing to see the strong representation of overseas visitors for what turned out to be a "truly fantastic" event.

More than 130 guests from the newspaper and web-offset print sector were present for presentations from 15 speakers, a site visit to the Kawerau paper-making plant of Norske Skog, a poolside networking dinner/quiz and a gala awards dinner.

"From the opening presentation - when Anthony Payne from Fairfax Media Australia provided insights on occupational health and safety - to the last pre-site briefing from Kevin Mackey of Norske Skog, everyone was riveted and keen to soak up the valuable information that was being shared," Blackbourn says.

A site tour of the Norske Skog plant was "undoubtedly a highlight" thanks to the efforts of organisers Willie Townend, Aaron Buist and Kevin Mackey. Another was a presentation by Sir Ray Avery - "a truly remarkable man who continues to give back".

There's already been good, positive feedback on the conference with attendees sharing their individual highlights.

Apart from its networking value, the awards dinner provided an opportunity to embrace and celebrate the exceptionally-high quality work being produced. "This was a great night, with a fantastic dinner at the spectacular Skyline Rotorua and some great comedy provided by Ben Hurley."

He congratulated winners of the quality awards and SWUG apprentice of the year Navdeep Sidhu. And was especially pleased that this was the fourth year in a row that apprentices from NZME's Ellerslie print site have won this award.

Next year's conference will be held in Wellington during August, with feedback invited to aid in planning. "This is our industry's conference and we are always looking at ways to improve it," says Blackbourn. More information at www.swug.co.nz or call Dan Blackbourn on 021 770 804

Horton Media, PMP Print and Allied Press claimed the major honours in this year's SWUG Quality Awards, with both Horton Media and PMP Print snaring two top honours apiece.

Blackbourn says the level of quality in the entries means the winners will have high hopes of strongly representing SWUG in next year's Pride In Print Awards.

Winners were:

Tabloid 42gsm: 1, Horton Media, The New Zealand Times; 2, Beacon Print, CHB Mail; 3, Beacon Print, HB Today.

Tabloid enhanced: 1, Horton Media, Aaron McLean; 2, NZME, Gingerella; 3, Allied Press, Queensland Tourist News.

Broadsheet: 1, Allied Press, The Southland Times; 2, NZME, Chinese Herald; Allied Press, Otago Daily Times.

Retail catalogues: 1, PMP Print, JB Hi-Fi Smashing Prices; 2, Webstar, Auto Trader; 3, PMP Print, Briscoes.

Heatset tabloid: 1, PMP Print, Threads; 2, PMP Print, Savvy; 3, PMP Print, Farmers Open Home.

Pictured: Guests get animated at the poolside quiz

On our homepage: SWUG NZ was an opportunity for locals to meet and greet

Sections: Newsmedia industry

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