FESPA Forms New Committee To Allocate Project Funding

FESPA has taken positive steps towards implementing a programme of educational and business support initiatives for the benefit of the international screen and digital printing community, with the formation of the FESPA Projects Committee. The Committee's role is to manage all applications for finance from FESPA's Projects Fund, which is used to support a variety of projects being undertaken by its Member Associations. In setting up the Projects Fund, FESPA is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to re-invest in the screen and digital print industry. The scope of this investment has been enhanced by the outstanding success of FESPA's exhibitions, most notably FESPA 2005 in Munich. Comprising representatives from the FESPA Board and Member Associations, and steered by recently appointed New Projects Manager Chris Smith, the Projects Committee will consider all project applications submitted by Member Associations and evaluate each project on its individual merits, taking into account its potential to benefit both printers and suppliers. By establishing the Fund and Committee, FESPA will now be able to support new initiatives and promote and develop existing services currently provided by Associations to their members. Chris Smith comments: 'As a not-for-profit organisation, one of FESPA's most important missions is to plough revenues from our exhibitions back into activities that will directly benefit our members and therefore the whole industry. The creation of the FESPA Projects Fund and Committee is a significant but pragmatic move to make this mission a reality.' The Projects Committee has already received a wide range of submissions for projects and several initiatives are currently under consideration, including an e-learning course for screen printing; a computerised production management tool capable of being used in screen, pad and digital printing; and the establishment of a 24/7 on-line technical service for members of FESPA Associations. Other plans include seminars, environmental initiatives, moves towards the recommendation of industry standards and mini FESPA events. Nigel Steffens, General Secretary of FESPA adds: 'The formation of the FESPA Projects Fund and Committee is an important landmark in our campaign to deliver a comprehensive series of support activities for our members, and to raise industry standards in screen and digital printing. We've already had a very positive response from our members and the Committee has received numerous proposals for initiatives that, if approved, will help to boost the performance and profits of businesses in our industry.'