Peter Harper, general manager of Visual Impact Image Expo says the show’s appearance was far better than previous years. He adds the advertising campaign prior to the event outlined that with the uncertain financial times people needed to look at new equipment in order to reduce overheads and diversify their business.

He says, “We were nervous with all the paper price talk but despite the so-called hard times everyone had good sales, we re-directed our advertisement so we didn’t get many tyre pushers, we only got people that were serious about buying.”

Harper also says that it was the first time the event had open seminars, which attracted a good crowd made up mostly of end-users and print buyers, who received advice through various presenters of how to reduce costs and more efficiently run their business.

However Harper continues that the most popular seminar session was presented by Michael Pascoe, a finance and economics commentator, which attracted both printers and exhibitors alike.

Pascoe’s presentation, Looking through the economic turmoil – where is Australian going? Provided advice about what is happening to the economy, what conditions business can expect to face and how to make the best of it, according to organisers.

Harper continues, “Michael Pascoe was very upbeat about the future, he said people shouldn’t be scared as the Australian banks and economy are solid. He believed our dollar would settle in the mid seventies and interests rates would go down another one or two per cent.”

He adds, “While Pascoe is not a forecaster, people who listened to the session, walked away much more confident in the state of the Australian economy.”

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