Want help with selling print’s environmental message, cutting power bills, government money even? Workshops at Australia’s PacPrint13 trade show may help.

The business improvement workshops are a response to printing industry demand for a more comprehensive educational component to the exhibition in May. They will daily from May 21-24 on the exhibition floor at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Printing Industries chief executive Bill Healey says the aim is to create ‘short, sharp presentations’ that raise and address the major points. “Basically, they’ll be ‘meet the expert’ sessions, designed to help business owners understand the broad issues involved in each area of interest, and to give them the contacts and information they need to get the ball rolling with their own research and planning,” he says.

Unlike the longer forum sessions, each workshop will run for 30 minutes and will involve a short presentation and time for questions. Entry is free and no booking is required.

This is the programme:

Tuesday May  21 – The Environment

2-2.30pm: Two Sides – Selling the positive story of print and paper (Kellie Northwood, National Manager Two Sides);

3-3.30pm: How to reduce your power bills and protect the environment (Charlie Knaggs, Senior Associate, Net Balance).

Wednesday May 22 – Accessing Government Support

2-2.30pm: Government programmes that can help your business (Sean Thomas, Assistant Manager, Pulp, Paper, Print and Furniture Industries Section, Manufacturing Performance Branch, Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education);

3-3.30pm: Enterprise Connect – Lessons from the field (Anthony Merrilees, Business Advisor, Creative Industries, Enterprise Connect).

Thursday May 23– Operating in the Digital Economy

2-2.30pm: The NBN and what the digital economy will mean for business (NBN Co, speaker to be advised);

3-3.30pm: Marketing in a multi-channel world (Kerim El Gabaili, Prografica).

Friday May 24– Business and Personal Financial Management

2-2.30pm: Managing your insurance exposure (Daniel Winkel, Marsh Insurance);

3-3.30pm: How to manage your nest egg for the next stage of your life (Michael Honeybone, Financial Planner, Media Super).