Gary Peeling, managing director of Precision Printing and incoming Dscoop EMEA chairman, has issued a rallying call to UK HP Indigo users to get behind the inaugural Dscoop EMEA event next month and drive growth at their business.
"Germany is historically Europe's greatest at international trade, but it should be the UK taking the lead. By getting involved in Dscoop even the smallest print service provider (PSP) could soon be receiving orders from abroad and driving their sales upwards," said Peeling.
Dscoop is a cooperative not-for-profit organisation for HP Indigo users run on a voluntary basis by its members. Since its inception eight years ago it has garnered 8,000 members across the Americas and Asia and an EMEA wing was created last year, with its first event, ‘Print United’, to take place 7-9 November in Barcelona.
The event will feature 30 sessions across three tracks, business and sales, labels and packaging, and commercial, which will all be in English, with live translations into French, German, Italian and Spanish. A number of high-profile speakers have already been unveiled, including The Print Coach Nick Devine, packaging consultant Mike Ferrari and Harley-Davidson communications strategist Ken Schmidt.
However, according to Peeling, the real value of the event will be its networking opportunities.
"I have been active with Dscoop for the past couple of years; now 25% of our business comes from clients in Europe, America and Asia. I know it works and there is a bigger picture by at last bringing structure to the HP network it may be possible through collaboration to offer a print on demand alternative to the offset paradigm, think of it like Print Management 2.0 but this time the PSPs get to keep all the margin and control."
The Print United conference is only open to Dscoop members, membership and one conference ticket costs 895 euros (￡723) or 395 euros for the conference only for existing members. Additional conference tickets cost 295 euros. Membership also includes entry into a members’ directory and access to online resources such as webinars, case studies, white papers.
Peeling admits that the cost of membership and attending the conference may be off putting for some, but he highlights that subs are heavily subsidised, to the tune of 75%, by HP and other sponsors.
"Sure times are tough and an airfare and a couple of nights in Hotel Arts is an expense claim that requires a return, but with key Dscoop members travelling to the event from all over the globe looking for supply solutions in Europe, Print United in Barcelona represents an opportunity not to be missed," he added.