(December 14, 2008) The largest crowd ever to attend a Fuji Xerox Premier Partners Congress gathered last month in Macau for the 5th annual meeting. More than 270 industry professionals attended the two-day event, which focused on key issues facing the graphic communications industry and provided chances to share knowledge and explore new ways to profit and grow.
 
The congress was the fourth large-scale event this year for members of the Xerox Premier Partners Global Network, a group of leading digital print providers totaling nearly 800 members from 48 countries. Earlier this year, members from Xerox’s Pan European, developing markets and North American regions attended events of similar scale in Madrid, Spain; Dortmund, Germany; and Chicago, respectively.
 
More than a dozen presentations and workshops were staged at the Macau event, including a presentation on how to “future proof your business.” Neil Falconer, print strategy consultant with Pira International, led that off with his perspective on where the industry is headed in the next five to ten years. Anthony Federico, Xerox corporate officer and chief engineer, then discussed how Xerox can help customers stay at the forefront of digital printing services.
 
Among the workshops was a session on “Winning the Hearts and Minds of Creative Agencies,” featuring a presentation by Bob Wagner, vice president of the Premier Partners Global Network, and a panel facilitated by Fuji Xerox’s marketing manager Helene Blanchette. Panel members included Geoff Collins, managing director of Wunderman Bangkok and Neil Brener, general manager, Salmat BusinessForce, a Premier Partner based in Australia. Their discussion centered around what language and methods print providers can use to win business from creatives.
 
“The Macau event was a strong close to an extremely active and productive year for Xerox’s Premier Partners program,” said Wagner. “This year we held our first-ever congress for members from developing markets, initiated a very well-attended Webinar series, and saw global membership grow by close to 20 percent. Seeing the Premier Partners management team at Fuji Xerox execute such a successful event to conclude this year was very satisfying.”
 
Next year’s 6th annual Fuji Xerox Premier Partners Congress will be held in Seoul, South Korea.