One month remaining to get entries in to local PICA competition!

This year’s Print Industry Creativity Awards (PICA) and National Print Awards (NPA) will be ‘bigger and better’ than ever, according to organisers, with entries in the State-based PICA awards already flowing in and a brand-new team of judges being assembled.

Industry businesses have just on one month to get their best examples of ‘print perfection’ – this year’s Awards theme – in to their local PICA competition. A total of 32 Awards categories is available, covering everything from a variety of print applications, to design and effectiveness, as well as business and personal achievement.

Entries will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges in each state, with those which achieve an ultimate award at the PICAs afforded the opportunity to vie for national honours at the NPA.

Peter Harper, CEO of event organiser Visual Connections, says they’ve ‘gone back to the drawing board’ for this year’s Awards, with new judging panels and exciting presentations planned.

“We are currently talking to experts from a variety of industry sectors to assemble judging panels with the expertise and experienced eye necessary to select winners from what we know will be a field of outstanding entries,” he says, adding that the team would welcome expressions of interest from anyone who would like to participate in PICA judging.

“Just as importantly, we’d encourage businesses to start the process of preparing their entries and nominations now, to avoid a last-minute rush or, worse still, missing out on the opportunity to enter altogether.”

On another front, the events team is working on presentation events on a scale which will recognise the extraordinary achievements of industry businesses, and the people behind them, during one of the most challenging periods in living memory.

“Last year’s Awards were, by necessity, a virtual affair,” Peter adds. “This year, with restrictions lifting, we know there is huge enthusiasm for proper, in-person celebrations.

“We’re busy finalising details for PICA Presentation nights in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth during July and, of course, the industry’s ‘night of nights’, the National Print Awards Presentation Dinner, which will be held during PacPrint in Melbourne on 30 September.

“For nearly 40 years, the print awards have been the industry’s premier accolades, recognising and celebrating the achievement of excellence in print. While they have evolved over the years to reflect changes in the industry, their significance has never waned … and this year, we’ll be celebrating in a bigger and better way than ever before,” Peter says.

The Awards are presented by the Print & Visual Communications Association and Visual Connections. Entries to the PICA competition are due to close at 5pm on Friday 30 April.

To find out more about the competition, award categories, and how to enter, go to www.printingawards.com.au. To express your interest in joining your local PICA judging panel, call Peter Harper on 02 9868 1577 or email exhibitions @visualconnections.org.au