Sappi and Design Indaba - together
for eight years

Now in its eleventh year, Design Indaba is considered one of the foremost design conferences in the world. Sappi is a proud sponsor and supplier to this leading design showcase.

An essential "design fix" on designers' calendars, representatives from some of the world's leading advertising agencies, design companies and businesses, delegates are enthusiastic about the Indaba's interactive workshops and seeing what cutting-edge products and services are presented at the Design Expo. Developing socio-economic trends are also well received.

"Sappi is about communicating ideas in a sustainable manor," says Graeme Futter, Marketing Manager: Brand Communications, "about taking a concept and turning it into reality. Everything we use and see in the world around us has been designed and, moreover, every great idea begins on paper. As importantly, the world's leading brands rely on printed communications as a fundamental component of their marketing mix, an essential tool of brand building and promotion. It is our duty as one of the world's leading producers of coated paper to educate and innovate in a creative and sustainable way".

"There can be no question that design is a profound economic force" continues Futter, "and Sappi's vision is to partner with the creative value chain and end users alike to realise the importance of design through the use of paper."

"Our presence at Design Indaba 2008", says Futter, "is to increase awareness that paper as a communication medium is a sustainable communication tool. Corporations, agencies and companies should be aware that they can specify environmentally sound, locally manufactured, coated and uncoated papers for their printed collateral."

"We are proud of our environmental offerings such as the Triple Green™ range of products but equally proud to be an integral part of the phenomenon that Design Indaba has become," concludes Futter. "It is through these partnerships and by means of innovative products that we are able to make a significant contribution to the success of contemporary design in the global economy."

For more information on the global Sappi group, Sappi Fine Paper South Africa, and Triple Green™, visit www.sappi.com.

More about Sappi

Sappi is a leading global producer of coated fine paper used in the production of glossy magazines, calendars, annual reports and brochures. While this business represents approximately two-thirds of Sappi's total sales, the company also has significant businesses in pulp, coated speciality paper, packaging grades and uncoated fine paper. Sappi Forest Products, the forests, pulp, packaging and newsprint business based in South Africa, is also the world's largest producer of chemical cellulose (dissolving pulp) used in the manufacture of viscose staple fibre and consumer and pharmaceutical products. Sappi is a global company with over 15 000 employees and production facilities in ten countries, on four continents and customers in over 100 countries.

The group is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sappi is listed on JSE Limited (SAP), the New York Stock Exchange (SPP) and the London Stock Exchange (SAZ).

DESIGN INDABA 2008
Design Indaba will fortify as the South African Design Week in 2008, with the expo and conference programme running over a week from Saturday 23 February to Friday 29 February 2008.

DESIGN INDABA EXPO
For the fifth time, the Design Indaba Expo will offer a curated commercial platform for South African designers to showcase local goods and services to the global market. Based on the success of the 2007 event, which played host to more than 20 000 visitors, the 2008 event has been extended for an extra day, running from Saturday 23 to Tuesday 26 February, 2008. The Expo will also be even bigger than before with more floor space, a host of new exhibitors and a brand-new dedicated fashion arena with day-long shows and movie festivals.

DESIGN INDABA CONFERENCE
The Design Indaba Conference will run from Wednesday 27 February to Friday 29 February, 2008. Judged the best conference in the world by EIBTM in Barcelona, the conference has played host to luminaries from all over the world since 1995 and been sold out for the past three years.

SPECIALIST INDABAS
Due to demand from delegates and the public to attend the Specialist Indabas, these will run parallel to the Expo on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 February 2008. These two-hour architecture, fashion and jewellery events feature local and international designers debating the contribution of these creative sectors to the South African economy. Bookings for Specialist Indabas open at Computicket on 14 January 2008.

YOUNG DESIGNERS SIMULCAST
As part of Design Indaba’s ongoing commitment to design education, Design Indaba 2008 will again offer a Young Designers Simulcast, catering to young designers and students under the age of 25. This is a live broadcast from the main plenary session to a second auditorium. Students and young designers will be able to access speakers in short, informal chat sessions during and at the end of the day.

DESIGN INDABA JOURNALISM WORKSHOP
For the first time, Design Indaba is presenting the Design Indaba Journalism Workshop in conjunction with the Design Indaba Expo taking place from February 23 to 26, 2008. New York design critic and assistant professor at Parsons, Susan Yelavich will lead the workshop with the assistance of an international team of acclaimed editors, journalists and writers. The cost is R1500 per person. To apply for participation, please contact Deborah Weber.

For more detailed information about the above activities taking place, and for related high-resolution images, please contact:

Deborah Weber
E-mail: deborah@interactiveafrica.com

Nadine Botha
E-mail: nadine@interactiveafrica.com

Tel: (021) 465 9966
Website: www.designindabaexpo.com