More than 13,000 visitors from around the region are expected to flock to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre for the biggest event in Australian print this year, PacPrint 2017, which is once again co-located with the Visual Impact sign, display and wide-format expo.
As always PacPrint will provide a broad showcase of technology, equipment and services in a B2B environment, allowing print business owners and decision makers to compare and evaluate options and connect with the suppliers and product specialists who can advise on the best choices for specific business requirements.
This ability to connect and collaborate, says PacPrint Chair Adrian Fleming, is what makes PacPrint such a valuable opportunity.
“This is an exciting time for our industry, with enormous potential for businesses to harness the power of new technologies and innovative solutions to grow their businesses, improve profitability and build success. PacPrint 2017 will provide the information, inspiration and contacts businesses need to maximise those opportunities,” he says, adding that this year’s show is expected, as usual, to reflect the trends which were evident last year at drupa.
“PacPrint is perfectly timed, coming a year after drupa and at a time when many of the releases and prototypes we see at that show are genuinely making it to market around the world, there is always something new.
“It is always interesting to see how these shows reflect the very dynamic nature of our industry and, at PacPrint 2017, we are looking forward to seeing exciting new technologies in 3D and functional print, sitting alongside the latest digital, wide-format and conventional print solutions, finishing systems, workflow and software innovations, as well as sign and display.”
On the exhibition floor, the industry’s biggest names will join a host of smaller niche suppliers and innovative service providers, taking up more than 8500sqm of stand space with solutions covering everything from prepress and MIS, through digital, wide-format and conventional print, packaging and labels, sign and display, finishing and embellishment, ancillary equipment, media and consumables. A range of business and financial services, industry associations and specialist niche providers will round out the display.
While many exhibitors are yet to announce the specifics of their displays, indications so far are pointing to an interesting and diverse show.
A clear highlight will be future-focused technologies including 3D and functional print, including a working walk-through display of printed organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar panels which will greet visitors who enter the MCEC from the Yarra River esplanade.
Brought to the show by the Universities of Newcastle and Wollongong and the CRC for Polymers, the display will be staffed by researchers and technology specialists keen to talk to print service providers about the commercial potential of this and other functional print applications. A public lecture on the progress of this research will also be held at 5.30pm on Wednesday May 24.
3D will also feature, with the Massivit 1800 3D printer expected to generate massive interest on the PES stand. Able to print 3D models up to 1.8m high, this drupa-release technology opens up new POP and display options for printers. As well as the Massivit, PES will be showing a range of other solutions, including the latest in wide format printing technology from Durst, the Rho P10 160 HDR – just one of many large-format print solutions which will be presented at the show.
Currie Group will certainly be one of the most impressive exhibitors, with the largest stand at the show featuring end to end solutions. Ricoh, Fuji Xerox, Starleaton, Konica Minolta, Spicers, Canon and HP will also feature a broad range of equipment on their stands.
Among the highlights of the centrally located HP display will be a joint promotion with PacPrint organisers, where customised wine labels will be printed for the show’s first 5000 registrants. Other key suppliers including Celmac, AVS, Neopost, Graphic Art Mart, Pozitive, Jetmark, Roland, Epson, AVS, Multicam, Mimaki, EFI, Screen, Multicam, Biesse and Agfa Graphics, will also have sizeable displays focusing on their key technologies and solutions.
Suppliers of software – MIS, workflow and colour management, among others – may not have large stand footprints but they consistently offer new developments which can transform business productivity, efficiency and profitability. Kodak, which will be featuring new digital and packaging capabilities and Cloud connectivity in its Prinergy Workflow, will be joined by other leading names in this space, including PrintIQ, Tharstern, Esko and Optimus, Accura, Workflowz and Objectif Lune.
For those in packaging and labels, Aldus Tronics, Cyber, Epson, WRH Global (formerly Ferag), Kodak, Ricoh, Ferrostaal and Starleaton will also be must-see stands, as well as Gulman Group, Minipak, Boettcher, Label Print Systems, Print & Pack and Trotec.
Vivad will release a new, W2P portal, Vivtrack 2.0, custom-designed for the notoriously diverse large format industry, positioning itself as the go-to supplier for printers keen to expand into sign, display and exhibition solutions with a reliable trade partner.
On the media side, suppliers like Spicers, Rojo Pacific and Chief Media will be showcasing options for print in all its diverse applications and formats, demonstrating just what an important role media can play in lifting profitability and delivering value.
In finishing, Starleaton will show a complete die-cutting and stacking line featuring its range of intelligent and productive Zünd table die-cutters, with a new, high-powered RM-L router option for the G3 and D3 cutters sure to be a highlight.
Multicam will also demonstrate their latest routers and Trimatt Systems will showcase a range of solutions for print finishing and value-adding.
Graph-Pak plans to introduce variable-data collating from Col-Tec and launch its own locally-engineered range of ancillary equipment, as well as hosting international product specialists from Busch GmbH, Autobond, D&K Europe, Vacuumatic, TRS and Thermotype.
Co-location with Visual Impact means the show will also encompass the broader sign and display sector. Suppliers like SA LED which is bringing its range of economical, low-maintenance and environmentally friendly LED modules and signage solutions, plus a range of power supply units and accessories, to the show, will be joined by LED Works and aluminium composite panel supplier, Alushine, among others.
Importantly, registered visitors will also have access to exceptional learning opportunities via the PacPrint Forum Series, supported by Visual Connections and Printing Industries. Daily keynote sessions will tackle big issues like innovation, change, leadership and decision making. These will be complemented by panel discussions and hands-on workshop sessions covering a range of industry-related topics, technologies and applications.
“We are delighted that high-calibre speakers Steve Tighe, Marty Wilson, Peter Davidson and Jerry Grayson have agreed to present our keynote sessions, to bring fresh perspective, insight and inspiration drawn from their diverse and fascinating backgrounds,” says Fleming.
“The daily panel sessions and workshops will then allow participants to drill down into some of the specifics: What new technologies might offer potential for my business? How can I create new, high-margin products and services for my clients? How can I fund my business expansion and growth? Where can I gain valuable productivity and efficiency benefits? How can I access the services I need to run my business better?
“We believe it is a strong combination which will deliver value to PacPrint visitors and, together with events like the National Print Awards, which will be held on the evening of Thursday 25 May, will provide plenty of opportunity to connect with colleagues, competitors and friends to share ideas and discuss the issues which are of importance to our industry.”
It is this opportunity for connection – reflected in the show’s theme – which Fleming says is perhaps PacPrint’s most valuable aspect.
“Connect is a great theme for the show, as it captures what businesses need to do to make the most of future opportunities in what we all know is a dynamic and challenging industry,” he says.
“Innovation and progress are always found at the intersection of technologies, skills, experience and knowledge.
“The future of our industry, and our own success, will depend on our ability to reimagine what our businesses are and what they can become…and to connect with the people who can help make it happen.
“With close to 150 of the industry’s most well respected and innovative suppliers demonstrating the trends, technologies and services which are creating that future, and an inspiring and informative Forum program and other events, you can also make the connections that will be such an important part of your future success.
“With all this on offer, I can only urge industry professionals to be at the MCEC in May. We are confident that those who attend PacPrint 2017 will be well rewarded for their investment of time and energy. It is going to be an exciting show.”
PacPrint 2017 is co-hosted by Printing Industries and Visual Connections and will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from May 23 – 26. More information about the show, including resources, registration, links and the latest news from exhibitors, can be found at www.pacprint.com.au.
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