More than 6000 people flooded through the doors of PrintEx, which ran last week at Sydney Olympic Park, ‘far exceeding the organisers’ expectations’. Some 67 per cent of PrintEx visitors were from New South Wales, 12 per cent from Victoria, seven per cent came from Queensland, two per cent from WA and five per cent from other states. A further seven per cent came from overseas destinations including a strong contingent from New Zealand, making up four per cent of total visitors.
Phillip Rennell, chair of PrintEx15
PrintEx organisers say the once in a four-year-event, which co-located Visual Impact, showcased the latest innovations in the print and graphic communications industry and provided an appropriate environment for businesses to sign new clients. Speaking with Australian Printer, Phillip Rennell, chairman of PrintEx, says the event has been positive for everyone who attended and exhibited. “I did the rounds and everyone has said how positive PrintEx has been compared to previous years’. The great thing is that the attendance, while lower than last time, was from decision makers, which means they were not here as spectators but to invest in new technology. “Throughout all three days it was clear that attendees were the right people to benefit from the broad showcase of technology, systems and services PrintEx offered, and to provide the ROI which exhibitors truly deserve for their enormous investment, not just of money but of time, energy and expertise. “There has been a constant buzz around the stands, not only generated by good numbers of quality visitors, but by the genuine interest and expectation shown by those people in what PrintEx exhibitors had to offer. Professional visitors were able to see, touch and feel possible solutions and to discover options and ideas that they may never have thought to look for – and to discover new and important ways to really make their businesses fly.” While visitors were able to touch and feel the technologies available and MIS systems, offset presses were missing at this year’s PrintEx, where more than 100 exhibitors and suppliers showcased their products. The event also hosted a number of forums, which held sessions looking at meeting the industry’s future challenges, energy efficient supply, and building capital through social investment, as well as several presentations from vendors providing information about specific systems and technologies. The show drew to a close, with the industry’s ‘night of nights’ at the Media Super National Print Awards, held nearby at the Waterview in Bicentennial Park. Rennell in closing said, “PrintEx has demonstrated that in today’s challenging multi-channel world, trade shows are as valuable as they have ever been, both for exhibitors and visitors, particularly at such a pivotal time for many businesses. “As always, one of its most valuable contributions is the energy and optimism a trade show such as PrintEx generates; there has been a very positive buzz around the halls and looking forward, we hope this sense of optimism and confidence will translate into an industry ready to embrace and capitalise on the exciting new ideas and opportunities. If so, we have more than achieved our aims.”
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