U P M GU N I V E R S I T Y P R I N T M A N A G E R S G R O U P

What is the UPMG?

We exist primarily to promote and advance best value and practice within the education print and design environment. The UPMG was formed to meet the challenges existing within university and higher education requirements, but is soon to be renamed APME Association of Print Managers in Education and is available for all education print managers.

We recognise that the area of print, with the associated technologies and practices, is a highly specialist and continuously fast developing area. Our aim is to support our members’ institutions to manage these technological developments, to gain better understanding and maximise the return on their investments.

Our members are from a wide variety of print units, from large and small, including litho and digital units, some commercially funded and others core funded. This incredibly broad base of expertise, with common challenges of the education sector, ensures that our members are best placed to help and support each other. This is one of our strengths and brings real benefits to our members.

Why should I join the UPMG?

We have over 100 members from over 75 educational organisations across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. All our members are directly linked to the delivery of print solutions within their organisations.

Our members provide years of experience in implementing and resolving print solutions, and share their expertise with group members through a very active email list. There are regular lively discussions which you can observe or join in.

When you become a member of our group this means that you do not have to rely solely on suppliers to inform you about the current developments. You can speak directly to other users who already have the equipment, software, finishing equipment or skills that you might need. This helps you to avoid pitfalls, and to save time and money for your organisations.

Members meetings

We holda number of members meetings each year, one during autumn term and one during spring term. The locations of these vary between national supplier locations, where new technologies can be explored; and member institutions where members gain valuable insight into another university print unit. The meetings include topical presentations and an opportunity to discuss current challenges and developments. These meetings are free to attend for members.

The group will also organise specialist regional training where this is required by several member institutions, this again is free for members to attend.

Annual Conference

We hold an Annual conference in late May or early June each year. This event is an invaluable opportunity for our members and we encourage all members to attend this regularly. The presentations are topical with plenty of opportunity for discussion, and we also run a supplier exhibition alongside the conference for members to be able to meet and discuss their challenges directly with the industry leading technology suppliers. There is a charge to attend the 3 day conference although costs are kept to a minimum.

Over a number of years we have built strong links between organisations similar to ours both in the USA; ACUP Association of Colleges and University Print; and Australasia; NIPPA Network of In-house Print Professionals Australasia. At our annual conference we invite speakers from these organisations to share their experiences, the challenges are the same worldwide, and the innovative approaches can be invaluable. We also provide speakers for their conferences and this worldwide networking adds another dimension to our experiences within the print market.

Awards

We hold an annual print and deign awards at our conference dinner. All members can enter, irrespective of attending the conference. A plaque and certificate is awarded in a number of categories each year.

Our suppliers

The exhibition at our annual conference is regularly supported by the leading industry suppliers and we pride ourselves on providing opportunities for our members to benefit from these links with invitations to relevant events. Our supplier’s links include the leading providers of print equipment , software and supplies in the UK.

Some common questions?

1. Is my unit too small to join the UPMG?Many of our members have small print units, and we have found that each member benefits from the experiences of contrasting units as well as ones similar to their own.

2. I am new to print management in education and don’t know what I need to ask?If this is you, the UPMG will give you the support and help you need to develop the expertise you require. We have all been new and unsure what we can contribute, but have found that all our members have valuable knowledge and experience. Remember there is no such thing as a silly question and join up and start asking. You will be surprised how many others will want to know the same.

3. Is it expensive to be a member?The membership fee of £125 per year gives members the benefits of the network of expertise, and also the opportunity to attend the regular meetings, and other events organised for members including training and supplier visits.

We think this represents excellent value for money, and once you are a member you can add up to 3 associate members from your organisation at no additional cost. This ensures that you gain maximum benefit from your membership of the group.

4. I don’t work in the education sector but I work in print. Can I join the UPMG?The UPMG is proud that it specialises in the challenges we face specifically in education, but we also recognise that we share many of the same challenges as other print managers who work within the public sector. We have a number of categories of membership this includes; affiliate, retired, and overseas, these members can enjoy the same support from the group and attend all meetings, training and conferences, however these members are not currently able to vote at the AGM.

5. I am responsible for design – is the UPMG for me?Many of our members are responsible for the design teams and you would benefit from sharing their expertise. Software training is frequently requested by our members and this could also benefit your institution. We find that print and design run hand in hand and are delivered effectively when they understand each other.

Contact Details

Chair: Rebecca HanlonTel: 0292 041 7211Email: rhanlon@uwic.ac.uk

Deputy Chair: Bruce WigleyTel: 0116 257 7668Email: bwigley@dmu.ac.uk

Secretary: Simon Hampton-MatthewsTel: 0117 328 4673Email: simon.hampton-matthews@uwe.ac.uk

Treasurer: Francis ReisTel: 01752 232 315Email: f.reis@plymouth.ac.uk

Administration, General and Conference: Roy StaresThe White House, 18 Willenhall Close, Luton LU3 3XX

Tel/Fax: 01582 491782Mobile: 07860 722552Email: admin.upmg@ntlworld.com