“Intergraf is looking forward to long-term cooperation with Smithers Pira, opening the door to authoritative input into our sector-specific workshops and generating great benefits for our members” says Beatrice Klose, Secretary General of Intergraf. Adam Page, Global Director of Market Reports and Consultancy at Smithers Pira, explained that “Smithers Pira is delighted to be working with Intergraf. Our partnership brings together two of the largest organisations within the print industry and Smithers Pira is looking forward to working together with Intergraf to help its members – with expert market reports and bespoke consultancy services – to meet the challenges of this rapidly evolving sector”.

Intergraf and Smithers Pira will work together on an annual conference series to cooperate in the long-term and facilitate the regular discussion of different sub-sectors of the printing industry. The first of these events in 2015 dealt with the future of the book printing sector; year two is a ‘Direct Mail Seminar’, due to be held in Barcelona on 3^rd and 4^th November 2016.

At this year’s Direct Mail Seminar, leading industry experts will share important information and best practices about topics ranging from ‘how to secure your data?’ and ‘consumer behaviour’, to ‘the legal background of new European legislation’ – alongside much more. Sean Smyth of Smithers Pira will also use his extensive knowledge of the global print market to present current market trends in the direct mail sector in Europe.

Attendees of the 2016 seminar will have the added bonus of receiving a complimentary copy of Smithers Pira’s exclusive market report, which presents volume and value statistics, as well as the changing relationship between transactional and promotional direct mail, door drops, the rise of big data and envelope trends in the EU-28.

Participants in the Direct Mail Seminar will in addition be welcomed with cocktails on arrival in Barcelona, join a tour of the HP Graphics Experience Centre, be taken for an evening meal at a local Catalan restaurant and visit a printing company. All transportation between venues will be provided as well as lunch and coffee breaks at the HP Graphic Experience Centre, where the seminar itself will be held.

Over the coming years, Intergraf and Smithers Pira will further deepen collaboration to include Smithers Pira making contributions to Intergraf’s Annual Economic Report, cooperation at Intergraf’s international events – such as at the World Print & Communication Forum – and mutual work in the field of EU lobbying. Smithers Pira will in addition take part in Intergraf’s regular Security Printers Conference & Exhibition (this year being held in Seville between 5^th and 7^th October), distributing brochures and information at their exhibition stand.

Intergraf represents 21 national printing federations in 19 countries in Europe. Intergraf’s main task is to promote and enhance the interests of the printing and digital communication industries, working with the European Institutions to support the sectors’ competitiveness.

Smithers Pira is the worldwide authority on the packaging, paper and print industry supply chains. Smithers Pira provides world-leading expertise and market intelligence, alongside offering a range of testing services supported by comprehensive facilities in the UK and US.