Leading industry trade association, the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA), has announced a 'stellar line-up' of high profile industry speakers and subject matter for its 2013 Annual Conference, AGM and Awards Dinner and Golf Tournament.

The event, which is open to both IPIA and non-members, will be held on Wednesday 19th June at The Puckrup Hall Hotel, deep in the heart of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, with the title, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”, and will hear debate on how companies can successfully integrate cross media into their business.

This year’s AGM is the Association's 22nd, during which time the annual awards dinner and event has become an industry paramount and ‘must attend’ fixture.

Celebrity after dinner speaker and awards presenter on the night will be Shaun Williamson, most famously known for his TV roles as Barry Evans in BBC soap Eastenders, and more latterly in Ricky Gervais’ Extras series. Barry is an accomplished stand-up comedian, singer and after-dinner speaker.

The Conference will hear presentations from leading industry personnel such as Marian Stefani, Managing Director of Flyte, who will present the top reasons print companies give as to why they can’t become a MSP and deliver Cross Media. Nigel Dacre, CEO of Inclusive Digital, will offer his opinions on “Cross Media – Friend or Foe?” Nigel will discuss the recent developments in multi-platform content. Asif Choudry, Sales & Marketing Director with Resource, will provide his presentation on, “New Age print – a journey from printer to cross media specialist”, where Asif will enlighten attendees on his experience on cross media campaigns. Andy Rafferty, Client Partner of Brightsource, will tackle the subject of, “The role of print in multi-channel marketing”. Andy will give his thoughts on whether print will continue to have a role in the marketing mix.

Award-winning marketer and entrepreneur, Sarah Hughes, founder, Linked4Success, will provide an insight into whether companies can “Discover in the next 29 minutes how social media can make you money.” This will enlighten companies into how social media can be used a as a powerful sales tool. Lance Hill, Sales & Marketing Director, Eclipse 4DM will discuss “Integration of integrated,” and explain why 4DM chose to integrate a cross media offering into its business. Lastly, Ad Sies, Business Development Manager, CVG Papier, will deliver, “How digital print can add value to the cross media mix”. Ad will focus on how and why cross media and new media needs paper and vice versa and how an added value future can be created for paper.

Commenting on the event, IPIA Chief Executive Andrew Pearce, states, “Each year at our Conference we aim to deliver a theme that is really ‘of the moment’ and this year is no exception. This event is for any business that is looking to use cross media to gain sales for themselves and their clients.”

Last year’s event attracted over 100 attendees - a mixture of printers, print managers, marketers, print buyers, machinery manufacturers and trade associates.

The IPIA Annual Awards, which is a black-tie event, will be presented on the evening of the Conference, where four awards of Best Trade Manufacturer, Best Broker/Distributor/Print Manager, Best Associate Member and Individual Personality of the Year will all be presented to the successful IPIA members.

On the second day, 20th June, the IPIA will hold a Golf Tournament on Puckrup Hall’s USGA greens within its 18 hole golf course. Top prizes will be up for grabs including the Spectrum Plastics Award. This will be followed by a networking lunch back at the Hall.