45 Panellists, 13 Locations, 4 Organisations and 1 Great Opportunity-GASAA 2012 Nationwide Continuity Planning Spotlight Session Road Trip

The Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia (GASAA), supported by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and Enterprise Connect, kicks off the free series of educational spotlight sessions on Wednesday 8 February in Adelaide followed by Perth on the 9^th.  Sessions will run in Qld, NSW, Vic,
ACT and Tasmania in late February and early March.

45 expert panellists in 13 locations have been locked in to the national program modelled the popular ABC Q & A show to share advice and knowledge on continuity and contingency planning for all business.

The event is supported by the two key print and graphic communications industry associations, GASAA and Printing Industries Association, bringing with them industry expertise and knowhow. Specialists on the subject from the Business Continuity Institute, experienced in strategic business planning will offer proven advice and direction to those attending. A representative of the Federal Government’s Enterprise Connect will attend the workshops to provide information on Government support, including the accessibility of available government funding to support your firm moving forward.

With just over a week to go to the kick off in Adelaide, Executive Officer of GASAA, Garry Knespal, said “These workshops are a rare and strong combination of experts from the industry, external consultants and government business advisers. Each set of panellists has been made up of influential leaders from the local area, allowing us to tailor each event to the attendees in individual locations. I urge people to register for this free, one off opportunity to find out the how and why of planning for the unexpected.”

Sessions are free and will run from 5.30-8.00pm.
February 8: Adelaide | February 9: Perth | February 13: Gold Coast | February 14: Brisbane | February 20: Morwell | February 21: Melbourne | February 22: Bendigo | February 23: Hobart | March 6: Canberra | March 7: Bathurst | March 8: Sydney | March 13: Newcastle | March 20: Sydney

For details visit: http://www.gasaa.asn.au/spotlight-sessions/spotlight-sessions-2012

GASAA is pleased to announce its 2012 president and Executive Committee members. Once again the GASAA 2012 Executive represents a diverse group of leaders within the graphic communications industry.

Theo Pettaras - Digital Press (President)
Richard Baker - Kwik Kopy Australia
Richard Daniell - RDA Creative
Stephen Edwards – Snap Franchising Limited
Brenda Esterhazy - Access Print
Luke Everingham - Shepson Printing
Libby Hams - BMF Advertising
Bruce Jacobs - Jagar Sprinting
Michael Jones - CDM Print
David Leach - Look Print (Immediate past president)
Michael Milan - Minuteman Melbourne
Paul Richardson - Lyndsay Yates & Partners

GASAA has elected long term Executive Committee member, Theo Pettaras, as its President for 2012. Theo is founder and director of Digitalpress, an award winning, creative and digital print firm based in Surry Hills, Sydney.

Theo is an active and experienced member of the governing body of GASAA and has been instrumental in the establishment of the growing GASAA “Printovation” awards program that has greatly assisted in raising the organisation’s profile in recognising not only quality but also exciting and innovation in print production.

In commenting on the appointment, Theo Pettaras said;  “I am both honoured and humbled to be given this opportunity to represent GASAA members as their new President. Our previous President David Leach guided so many lasting GASAA initiatives during his two year term and maintained strong and open relations with the many associations in our industry. These indeed will be big shoes to fill. I intend to continue David’s legacy and together with the board will reach out to both printing and creative communities to promote this very relevant and resourceful organisation. I am looking forward to highlighting the benefits that GASAA membership can offer. I am equally excited to be able to share my experience and knowledge over the past twenty years in both offset and digital printing will with others.” He concluded.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia is backing the Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia and its’ growing membership by becoming a Major sponsor of the association.

GASAA Executive Officer, Garry Knespal said "We have always enjoyed strong membership support from Konica Minolta. With the signing of the sponsorship program, we will be able to "add value" to this relationship through a series of activities and information services to our members and wider industry contact base of over 10,000 creative and professionals."

As it joins the growing national list of Truly Green® printers, Macquarie Lighthouse Press of Macquarie University (NSW) also becomes the first university print shop to gain the highest industry recognised environmental certification. Well on its way to gaining ISO14001 certification the print shop is now Truly Green ® Certified with the Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia (GASAA).

Garry Knespal, Executive Officer of GASAA said he “was impressed with Macquarie’s adherence to the detailing training provided by Truly Green ® course presenter Paul Kohn of AKP Leura. All the staff showed a strong commitment to environmental improvements and the company had already made significant advances in the areas of waste toner management, power consumption, paper handling.