EVENTS: VISUAL IMPACT

By Colleen Bate

Supplier association and show organisers Visual Connections is promising the latest developments in print, with Visual Impact not only able to provide businesses with the chance to see the very latest technologies in action, and to speak to product and technical specialists and business experts, but also provide a rich source of information, ideas and inspiration to help businesses work towards their success.

“The show theme, ‘Envision Your Success’, is apt for a post-pandemic market, with businesses still grappling with how to meet the changes wrought across the sector over the past four years,” Visual Connections business development manager Sarah Moore said.

“Change has always been a feature of the print, sign and display market, but the pace of that change is accelerating year on year,” added CEO Visual Connections Peter Harper, pointing out that the impact of the pandemic has changed the market.

“It has brought a significant amount of work back on-shore as buyers and specifiers recognise the advantages of local supply not just for communication and quality control, but also reliability and accountability.

“To meet market demand, and capitalise on these opportunities, businesses will need to maximise efficiencies and diversify their offering, while remaining profitable,” he said.

Some of the industry’s leading names in attendance will be platinum sponsor Roland DG, gold sponsors Epson, Euro Poles, HP, Pozitive, Spicers, Starleaton and Trotec, along with others such as CMYKHub, Ball & Doggett, Print IQ, Pozitive, Spandex, Alflex, Mutoh, Celmac, Mimaki, GJS, Wilenco/Rollover, Hexis, Graphic Art Mart and Smartech.

“We currently have more than 80 exhibitors and hope to get a few more in the next couple of weeks – final numbers will probably be around 90+ in total. This covers a broad cross-section of the industry, from suppliers of equipment and systems, to pre-press, MIS and workflow solutions, finishing and display solutions, illumination, media and substrates, technical and business services, and more,” said Harper.

Sydneysiders and visitors from across the country that are keen to keep up with the latest in print, sign, display, wide-format, engraving, textile printing and more can expect to see many new technologies on display which just missed PacPrint and Visual Impact last year, and which are now landed and ‘ready to go’.

“And in terms of the show itself, this year we will be focusing a lot on education, with an expansive seminar and forum schedule, as well as workshops in Channel Lettering. An entirely new section is being trialled at the show in the lead-up to PacPrint 2025, which is the Photo & Fine Art reproduction,” added Harper.

ASGA will be working with Hexis to run an exciting Wrap challenge, with the winner of offered the chance to go to New Zealand to compete in an Australia versus New Zealand wrapping challenge.

ASGA will also be partnering with Visual Connections, in an education program. This will involve some 100 Year 9 and 10 students attending the show to take part in a special ‘Try a Trade’ program with TAFE NSW and a number of exhibitors. Students will also lunch with current TAFE apprentices and industry leaders, to get an unique insight into the industry and career opportunities.

The show will run from 10pm to 6pm on both 3 and 4 May, and from 10am to 4pm on 5 May.

“Registrations are tracking well so far and are in line with our expectations at this stage of planning,” says Visual Connections event manager, Charly Blades.

“Overall, we believe attendance at the show will be similar to previous iterations, with thousands of visitors expected over the three-day event.

“Most will likely hail from the ‘home city’ in Sydney, but a good contingent is also expected from regional NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Auckland – all of which are within easy reach – and a significant number from other locations in Australia, New Zealand and around the regions.”

To register, go to www.visualimpact.org. au/sydney-exhibition-2023

Print and signage industry professionals can learn how to improve their productivity and profitability, attract top talent, better manage finances, and more, at Visual Impact Sydney’s three-day seminar in May.

Registration is now open for the wide format trade show, which will be held at Olympic Park in Sydney from 3-5 May, and includes free access to the seminar program, which runs for the duration of the show.

ASGA president Mick Harrold will kick off the seminar on 3 May, when he facilitates a Sign Industry Education Round Table panel discussion featuring Visual Connections education committee chair and Starleaton CEO Ben Eaton, ASGA education committee chair Damian Nielsen, TAFE NSW’s Paul Richards and AusSIP’s John Watters.

PVCA CEO Kellie Northwood will then facilitate a leaders panel on the topic of “Business success for 2023 and beyond”, discussed by Eaton, Cactus Imaging’s Keith Ferrel, Resolve’s Sean Kelly and CV Media & Signage’s Damian Nielson.

The afternoon sessions include talks by Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors Kate Thomson, discussing key “to do” items focussing on being business compliant, as well as Velflex’s Ben Carroll, who will cover top tips for heat pressing transfers.

The program on 4 May includes one more session by Kate Thomson, followed by consultant Sandra Duarte who will provide guidance on attracting and retaining top talent.

In the afternoon, Keith Ferrel, Ben Carroll and Sandra Durarte will share tips that can be implemented to give a business the best chance of success now and into the future. This will be followed by a session on visa and employment contract considerations related to the sign industry, presented by Hicksons Lawyers’ Warwick Ryan and Simonne Pengelly.

On 5 May, the program will round off with a Q&A session on Leasing and Business Finance, delivered by EcoLease’s Marian Taggart Holland and facilitated by Visual Connections’ Robyn Frampton.

The final session will feature a Q&A on the topic “Wrap Industry Trends – 2023 and Beyond”, facilitated by Grafico’s Damian Corney, Liberty Signs’ David Cross and Signageworld’s Derek Michalanney.

The Visual Impact Seminar Program will run from 10pm to 6pm on 3 and 4 May, and from 10am to 4pm on 5 May during the Visual Impact show at the Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park.

The program is free for industry professionals to attend, but bookings are essential. The Visual Connections website has all the details.