The IPIA has taken over the running of fellow trade association, the BAPC, uniting two organisations that have previously had a slightly different focus and history.
The IPIA has grown up representing the interests of trade printers, particularly in print management and transactional printing. In more recent years it has swung to fly the flag for the industry towards design and creative agencies through conferences that it had hoped to continue this year. In 2018, the main event was Everything is Possible in Print, evolving last year into Everything is Possible in Communications.
The BAPC has been ahead in this regard. Its name changed from the British Association of Print and Copyshops to the British Association for Print and Communications a few years ago. Its landmark event for members had been a well attended weekend conference and awards event.
Its general secretary Sidney Bobb has been looking to find a safe haven for the association to ensure that it will continue after his retirement. That has been achieved with this deal. Bobb will remain involved with the organisation though passing on the day to day administration. He becomes president of the BAPC.
He brings a membership of 400 into the IPIA, with a number of associate members from the supplier side of the industry straddling both organisations. At one time there were 1,000 members in the organisation, falling away in recent years. Its interests will be represented in a dedicated sub committee of the IPIA, with Tony Kenton and Nigel Topliss as members of the joint board.
“The merger brings together an association which represents printers whose focus is on B2B relationships and one where the focus is on B2C. They complement each other very well,” says IPIA general manager Brendan Perring.
Members of the combined organisations will share benefits and resources, while the aim will be to expand membership among high street and consumer facing printers. At its height the BAPC had 1,000 members and attracted 200 to its annual conference.
Sidney Bobb will step away from day to day involvement with the BAPC as it becomes part of the IPIA, but remains President.
