UK In-plant Conference Wraps Up in Wales

By Bob Neubauer

This week in Cardiff, Wales, dozens of higher-ed in-plants from all over the U.K. met for the 2024 Association of Creative and Print Managers in Education (ACPME) Annual Conference. With the tagline “We’re in this together,” the conference focused on collaboration, producing effective visual communications, and creating imaginative, unique products.

ACPME attendees at a "getting to know you" session.

The conference offered plenty of networking opportunities, where delegates shared recent experiences. Discussion groups talked about the pros and cons of different funding models, online systems, and new services that can add further value. A suppliers exhibition gave attendees a chance to see some of the latest technologies available to them.

ACPME conference suppliers' exhibition.

" We changed the format this year to include more time for ACPME delegates to engage with our sponsors,” noted ACPME Chair Michelle Barraclough, of the University of Sheffield Print & Creative Services. “We opened the conference on Monday, allocating a full morning to visit the exhibition hall. Our suppliers were involved in the roundtable discussions, acknowledging that 'We are in this together,' and by collaborating and communicating together we can create workable solutions to add value and make our services a success."

Heads of the big three higher-ed in-plant associations stand together during ACPME 2024: Phil Poelmans (CUPMAC), Michelle Barraclough (ACPME), and Tom Lydon (ACUP+).

Attending the conference were the presidents of two North American in-plant associations: Tom Lydon, of Bucknell University, who is president of the Association of College and University Printers; and Phil Poelmans, of McMaster University, president of the College and University Print Management Association of Canada (CUPMAC). They led a session on Tuesday in which they talked about the U.S. and Canadian print industries.

The ACPME keynote speaker was Tim Dingle, a consultant and professional stand-up comedian, whose presentation “How to be Amazing Every Day” explored the critical links between neuroscience, well-being, and sustained professional performance.

Attendees at the suppliers' exhibition.

In another session, the University of Glasgow talked about collaboration across departments, looking at how the business school, photography unit and print unit worked together to deliver amazing results. A session on AI discussed its potential uses across print, design, photography and videography. Other sessions covered internal business development, collaboration across departments, sustainability, and tips and tricks to save money.

The conference wrapped up with the ACPME Creative & Print Awards Dinner, which took place at the magnificent Hensol Castle, in Cardiff.

ACPME 2024 attendees pose before the ACPME Creative & Print Awards Dinner outside the Hensol Castle, in Cardiff.

ACPME conference session

CUPMAC President Phil Poelmans, (center) of McMaster University, mingles during a reception. ACPME Chair Michelle Barraclough is on the left.

ACPME conference suppliers' exhibition.

ACPME conference suppliers' exhibition.

ACPME conference suppliers' exhibition.

ACPME conference suppliers' exhibition.

ACPME conference session

ACPME conference session

ACPME conference reception

0 Comments

View Comments

Bob Neubauer Author's page Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.