The Print & Visual Communication Association of Australia (PVCA) has confirmed it will continue to support the Vinnies CEO Sleepout this year by forming a national team. The association has called on industry members participating in the event to join Team Print to build a strong industry presence across Australia.
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a one-night event on June 22, one of the longest and coldest nights of the year.
It involves over 1000 CEOs, business owners, community and government leaders sleeping outdoors without shelter to support Australians who are experiencing homelessness.
Each participant commits to raising a minimum amount of funds to help Vinnies provide products and services to those in need, and this is the third year the PVCA has formed an industry team.
Industry leaders committed to Team Print include Rodney Frost, Lamson Group and CEO Sleepout ambassador; Conor Ward, Konica Minolta and CEO Sleepout ambassador; Rod Peirce of Smartcomm and Graham Morgan of Morgan Consulting.
The funds raised across the night are accounted for and audited separately from other St Vinnies charity fundraisers and do not go into general funds. They go straight to programs and facilities for those less fortunate and sleeping rough on our streets.
PVCA CEO Kellie Northwood said, “We would love to have as many industry representatives in each State and Territory as possible, we know a lot of our industry participate and earmarking to Team Print is a positive stand out for our industry to showcase the good works we achieve together.
“This is an opportunity for our industry to come together and raise money for a really good cause.”
Team Print members are no strangers to the CEO Sleepout, with Northwood having first participated in 2011 and subsequently in 2012, 2014 and 2022.
Frost has raised approximately $180,000 across 15 years and will take the industry Team Print lead this year. Ward raised $6,600 in his first year.
Frost said, “I am very passionate about helping those in need through supporting the great team at Vinnies. This event raises money for people very much in need as well as being a great opportunity to shine a light on the issue and the statistics around homelessness, with an aim to remove the stigma.
“I have participated for many years now, and each year I connect with new people and learn more about homelessness. I’m humbled to be an Ambassador for the CEO Sleepout and I really want to see the best that our industry has to offer this year. If anyone is considering, do not hesitate to contact me, I’m more than happy to share my experiences or help with signing you up.”
Ward added, “I first heard about the CEO Sleepout through our Gold Coast partner Document Solutions and took part in my first CEO Sleepout last year. I am proud to return this year with our Konica Minolta team. It is a wonderful event for networking but also for a valuable cause.
“Donations will help Vinnie’s local, volunteer-run services provide food, accommodation, utilities, and essential services to people at risk and experiencing homelessness which is very important across all parts of Australia.”
Northwood concluded, “If you are unable to Sleepout, you can still support this industry initiative and donate to the team. Every dollar helps, please give generously.”
To register interest across the CEO Sleepout, contact info@pvca.org.au.
If you can’t make the CEO Sleepout – please donate to the team.
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