The pioneer of similar print industry gatherings that have subsequently arisen in other New Zealand centres, Australia and further afield internationally, the Wellington event this year featured guest speaker Anna Stretton.

Stretton (pictured left) runs a well-known New Zealand fashion empire and has recently moved into the publishing business, with three titles. Her Magazine is believed to now be one of the fastest growing in the country.

PrintNZ membership services manager Ruth Cobb said Stretton used her speech to give attendees insight into her life and how she got into fashion publishing businesses. She told the 40 attendees how she strived to inspires the women around her to be confident, challenged and independent.

The evening also featured an address from PrintNZ chief executive Joan Grace on the progress of the Part of Life campaign and what the organisation was doing in the industry generally.

Jackie McDonald (right) of Wellington Print Finishers was the winner of a pot-luck draw for one of Stretton's "Stitch N Bitch" packs valued at NZ$250. This product is essentially a do-it-yourself sewing kit which provides 10 different means of creating one of Ms Stretton's dresses.

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