Last year, Women in Print Australia partnered with Hewlett-Packard (HP) to offer one female HP Indigo Operator, from Australia or New Zealand the chance to attend Dscoop APJ 2024 in Cebu, Philippines. This international conference brings together print professionals from across the region, and we were thrilled to see the winner of the giveaway, Sharna Beck from Southern Impact, represent our community.
It was Sharna’s first time travelling overseas, and what followed was an unforgettable week of professional development, connection, and discovery. I had the chance to catch up with Sharna after her return to hear about her journey, the highlights from Dscoop, and what the experience has meant to her both personally and professionally.
Stephanie:
Sharna, congratulations on winning the Women in Print HP Dscoop Giveaway! Tell us about how you felt when you first found out you had won.
Sharna:
Thanks, Stephanie! It honestly didn’t feel real at first. From the initial phone call telling me I’d won to the moment I arrived in Cebu, the whole experience was absolutely amazing. Everyone involved was so friendly, from the organisers to the hotel staff and the Dscoop APJ members. Being my first time out of Australia, there was a lot to take in – and a few rookie mistakes made for some funny travel stories!
Stephanie:
It sounds like it was quite the adventure. Can you share one of those travel stories?
Sharna:
Oh, definitely! One that stands out was waiting at the luggage carousel for a bag that never came. I eventually found out it had been automatically transferred to my connecting flight. I spent 45 minutes in the lost luggage queue before discovering that! Another moment was being told my return flight didn’t exist when I was checking in to come home. I had to convince them that Red Bull doesn’t actually give you wings and I hadn’t flown myself there! Luckily, Amy had arranged for Rashmi to meet me at the Cebu airport when I arrived, and travelling to the hotel with her was such a relief.
Stephanie:
What was the hotel like, and how did you find the experience in Cebu?
Sharna:
The hotel was stunning. I was on the 15th floor, which was just perfect. Every morning, I was treated to an incredible buffet breakfast with an amazing variety of food – more than I’ve ever seen in one place! The hospitality in Cebu was second to none, and the food was always plentiful and delicious.
Stephanie:
Let’s talk about Dscoop APJ itself. What was it like stepping into that environment?
Sharna:
It was incredible. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect at first. I quickly learned that labels are the big focus right now in the industry, while I work in commercial flat-sheet printing. There was also a lot of discussion around commercial roll-fed printing, which was fascinating to see. While I didn’t have much input for some of the business-focused sessions, I still walked away with so much knowledge about other Indigo operations and businesses worldwide.
Stephanie:
That sounds very inspiring. Was there a particular moment that stood out to you during the event?
Sharna:
Yes, the workshop with Guy Bibi from HP was fantastic. We had to design a water bottle label for a business that had just shared their start-up journey with us. It was a fun and hands-on task, although time was limited, and we had to share laptops between groups. It definitely sparked my interest in doing more creative work, and developing my own creative spark.
Stephanie:
You mentioned there was a print competition. Did you participate?
Sharna:
I did, and I was one of only two commercial flat-sheet operators. I entered a book I’d printed showcasing an art teacher’s work from Scotch College, and to my surprise, I won the printer award for that section! It was such an honour, and it made the whole experience even more rewarding.
Stephanie:
That’s fantastic! Were there other highlights from the event?
Sharna:
Oh, so many! The Dscoop APJ team gifted me a t-shirt featuring Cebu’s famous whale shark, which was such a thoughtful gesture. I met so many talented and friendly people from all over the world, in all sorts of roles within the industry. It opened my eyes to new career paths and gave me fresh ideas for what I can explore professionally.
Stephanie:
It sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. How would you sum it all up?
Sharna:
It really was! Winning this competition and attending Dscoop APJ has been the best experience of my working career. The event was so well-planned, with amazing networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing. I’m incredibly grateful to Women in Print Australia and the HP Indigo Digital Press team for giving me this opportunity. It’s been truly life-changing, and I’m so thankful to everyone involved.
Stephanie:
Thank you, Sharna, for sharing your incredible journey with us. Congratulations again on your win!
Sharna’s experience has stayed with me since last August.
In my view, everything from her initial application to her time in Cebu so beautifully reflects the purpose, values, and impact of Women in Print Australia: encouragement, visibility, and meaningful growth.
With only a little coaxing, Sharna brought her whole self to the application process and experience.
She showed up with curiosity, humour, and openness, exactly the kind of energy we need more of in this industry. It was nerve-wracking for her to say yes to the opportunity, in even just applying.
I think that’s something also worth celebrating.
Bravery, and courage isn’t always in the big things, it’s sometimes in the small decisions. The micro-steps we take to put ourselves forward even in the face of self-doubt and fear, and hopefully in knowing that our colleagues and peers “have our backs”.
This giveaway was a trial of sorts, to test the waters of the new national Women in Print Australia Special Projects program. It’s a great example of what’s possible when industry and community come together.
We’re incredibly grateful to HP, and Craig Walmsley, for the generosity and support. Not just for making this opportunity available to Sharna, but for recognising the importance of creating space for women to connect, and be visible across every part of the sector.
As our membership continues to grow, so does our ability to offer programs like this – from mentoring to networking, from technical skills development to leadership development, and events. It is partnerships such as this, that open real doors and show the women of industry, at all levels, that they are not alone. Creating the space needed for women and others from underrepresented groups to grow, lead, and be seen.
If you’re not yet a member, now is a great time to join us. And if you are already part of our paid membership community, thank you; your support makes stories like this possible.
To everyone considering applying for the HP Indigo Scholarship Program; I say; GO for it!
Women in Print Australia has your back, and indeed, so do I!
Warmest regards, always,
Stephanie
Board Chair, Women in Print Australia
