The NAPM Annual Forum and Dinner both took place on 18 April at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London. This was the first occasion on which both events had taken place on the same day. 

90 staff from paper merchants and paper manufacturers from across Europe attended the Forum and enjoyed a lively debate. The Forum theme was ‘What’s Around the Corner? – The Next Five Years. ‘ Guest speakers included: 

• Dave Allen – CEO, PaperlinX
• Eduard De Voogd – Secretary General, Eugropa
• Neil Falconer – Managing Director, Printfuture.
• Emanuele Bona – Vice President, Europe,The Pulp and Paper Products Council 
• Jim Todd – Sales Director, Heidelberg UK
• Martyn Eustace – Director, Two Sides UK and Print Power 
• Tim Bowler – Director, NAPM

Many issues were discussed but the dialogue was dominated by the well-documented recent decline in paper consumption and its effects on the graphics sector. Discussion also concentrated on the actions and initiatives that companies within the industry are taking to deal with those effects. A link to the speakers’ presentations can be found on the NAPM website. http://www.napm.org.uk/annual_forum.htm 

The 93rd NAPM Annual Dinner took place on the same evening, attended by 225 NAPM members and their guests from around the world. Tim Elliott, President of the NAPM welcomed the attendees with a speech entitled Chris Parr – Chief Executive, Tullis Russell Group responded on behalf of the guests with his speech entitled ‘With Change Comes Opportunity – Part 2’.  

Tim Elliott also announced that David Hunter, Managing Director of Antalis UK, Ireland and South Africa, has accepted his nomination to become the next President of the NAPM.

The main speeches were concluded by the guest speaker; Geoff Miller – National Selector for English cricket. All three delivered witty and entertaining speeches, ensuring that a good night was had by all.

Next year’s Annual Forum and Dinner will take place on Thursday 24 April 2014 at the same venue.