Why celebrating your industry matters
Awards season in the printing industry is upon us, and there is plenty to gain by entering, writes Robyn Frampton, marketing and communications manager at suppliers association Visual Connections.
For many Australian businesses, the start to 2020 has been almost unimaginable. Fires, floods, viruses – it can seem, at times, as though the challenges are multiplying by the day, leaving no time for celebration. But taking time to recognise and reward achievement, and to celebrate your industry, can bring real benefits both for your business and your state of mind – and I'd argue it's as important now as it's ever been.
In the print and graphic communications sector, the awards season is looming, with entries open for both the state Print Industry Creativity Awards (PICA) run by the Print & Visual Communications Association (PVCA) and the HP Awards for Excellence, co-hosted by the Australian Sign & Graphics Association (Asga) and Fespa Australia.
At the Visual Impact expo on the Gold Coast at the end of April, both competitions will be holding gala presentation nights – the Queensland PICAs are on Thursday 30 April, and the national Asga/Fespa Australia HP Awards for Excellence on Friday 1 May.
Both will not only recognise the achievement of excellence across a wide category of work encompassing everything from commercial print, to large format, sign and display work, and specialty projects, as well as giving accolades to industry identities, apprentices and businesses.
They will be – as usual – great nights, and there's no question that winning businesses will take pride in accepting and displaying their awards. After all, being recognised by your peers is probably the ultimate honour.
But in such tough times, do awards – and these celebrations – really matter? In my book, they do. Here's why.
Firstly, because we need to remind ourselves – and to promote – what our industry can achieve. By appreciating the achievements of others, we see what is possible and, inevitably, are inspired to lift our own performance, to explore new opportunities, and to promote what we are capable of delivering to our customers.
Secondly, toiling away – whether it be at a print job, a sign project, a textile print, out on the road or in the back office doing the books – can be a thankless task. In tough times, it can be both stressful and all-consuming. That makes it perhaps more important than ever to take stock and recognise what we are achieving together. Nominating colleagues, entering your work, or giving a nod to your competitors where they have done well, helps us all feel seen and valued, and inspires us to fight another day.
Thirdly, these events give us the chance to celebrate what is a vital, vibrant and passionate industry. The print and graphics sector is now Australia's largest manufacturing industry. Across the country, we have hundreds of businesses, employing tens – even hundreds – of thousands of people, to deliver the print and graphic products which form such a vital part of the lives of every Australian, every day. That's something to be proud of.
So, if you're wondering whether you can take time away from work, and spend the night celebrating your industry with your peers, I say, do it, if you possibly can. Invariably, you'll have a great night, enjoy catching up with old friends and making new ones, and come back to work feeling buoyed by the experience.
You can check out the PICA categories and book for your local PICA presentations at www.printingawards.com.au. Entry and booking details for the Fespa Australia/Asga Awards can be found at http://bit.ly/2020HPAwards.