Millions transacted as over 5000 visitors attend PrintEx19

Millions of dollars worth of equipment and services were sold during this month’s four-day PrintEx19, Visual Impact and the Label & Packaging Expo in Sydney with over 5000 people attending marking a 15 per cent drop in visitor numbers from the 2015 show, organisers say.

The show gave 120 suppliers the chance to demonstrate their products with all areas of the print and graphic communications sector covered from automation and workflows, to product verification, AR innovations, wide format and 3D printing, automated booklet production, media and substrates, flexible packaging and labeling solutions, textiles and DTG printing covered across 6000 square metres at the Sydney Showgrounds.

Each day started with a Business@Breakfast session which together with with the auction of a painting completed by artist James Patrick at PrintEx19 at the 36th National Print Awards, held during the week of PrintEx, raised funds for the show’s two charities of choice – $4,415 to Man Anchor and $2,815 to Share the Dignity. Masterclasses, panel sessions and workshops were also held throughout each of the days of the show.

Visual Connections chief executive officer Peter Harper said attendance figures were slightly below expectation which was to be expected given ongoing consolidation across the industry, particularly in the last four years.

“Predicting visitor numbers, particularly in this sector, is always difficult, but we’re satisfied with the attendances except, perhaps, from the sign and display sector, where numbers were down significantly – a great pity given the show was full of solutions for this market,” Harper said.

“Aisles seemed less busy, however it should be noted that exhibitors requested an extra day be added to this show, so the spread of visitors across four days, rather than three, may have played into a perception that numbers were down. The ‘steady stream’ did, however, deliver less wait time and more relaxed discussions on stands – something remarked upon by both visitors and exhibitors.”

Around 200 students also visited the show through Visual Connections’ partnership with Re-Engineering Australia (REA), as part of an ongoing initiative to address skills shortages by giving young people an opportunity to see what the sector has to offer and encourage them to consider career opportunities in the industry.

Other than the students, PrintEx chair, Jeremy Brew, said that crowds were, as usual, dominated by business owners, CEOs, MDs and senior management, intent on maximising the opportunity to negotiate deals – and negotiate they did, with business transacted at the show expected to run well into the millions.

“PrintEx19 lived up to its reputation as a ‘decision makers’ show, with industry decision makers taking advantage of the opportunity to make new connections, discuss options with the experts and get a handle on trends – all vital factors in making important investment decisions,” Brew said.

“While feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, the real measure of the show’s success will not be seen for some time.

“The real value in a show like PrintEx is that businesses leave better equipped to plan their future with confidence and continue to build the success of our vibrant and exciting industry.

“That’s what makes for a successful show – and we believe it was delivered during PrintEx19.”

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