The managing director of Heaneys Performers in Print addressed women from 22 countries, including Germany, France, Russia, Japan, China, Egypt, Indonesia and Brazil.

Heaney told ProPrint she spoke about her background, the state of the Australian printing industry and her involvement with the Printing Industries Association of Australia, of which she is now president.

Women in Print originated in New Zealand in 1998, before coming to Australia in 2007 and debuting at Drupa in 2008.

This year’s five-stop Australian roadshow attracted almost 500 guests. Click here for the photos.

The women at Drupa got a lot from the event “because of the information flow and networking and mentoring opportunities”, according to Heaney.

She said women in the Australian printing industry were better off than their international counterparts.

“I think much better in Australia as overseas there is still a predominance of women in traditional marketing roles rather than ownership, plus I think Australians are not as formal so it is easier to enter into non-traditional roles,” she said.

“I think the growth of Women in Print tells of its success and a need for women to have networking opportunities where they can have access to women who have been successful and can offer role models and mentoring. In a mixed environment they tend to stand back and not ask as many questions.”

The other women to speak at Drupa were an American printing company owner and three Germans – a women’s business rights lobbyist, a KPMG partner and an actress.

The accolades have continued for Heaney at home. She was named Female Manufacturer of the Year at the Endeavour awards, an annual event for manufacturing excellence.

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