What’s better than attending a fun, exciting trade show? Attending a fun, exciting trade show at Australia’s favourite coastal playground: the Gold Coast.
Visual Impact Image Expo (VIIE) is returning to the sun, sand, and surf of the Gold Coast from Thursday 19 April to Saturday 21 April, for three days of displays, seminars, sales, demonstrations, and networking events. Featuring the industry’s biggest names and, a broader range of manufacturers and suppliers than ever before, VIIE Gold Coast 2012 will have something for everyone to see and do. And for those with families, the dates of the trade show could not be more convenient, as the show is being held during the school holiday period. So have a chat with your accountant and see what ‘advantages’ may be had by combining a work trip with a holiday.
VIIE Gold Coast 2012 is all about bringing the print, sign, engraving, and graphics arts industries together, exhibiting the latest technology and developments, educating people, creating a networking environment for industry professionals and, providing an opportunity for business owners, managers and operators to see and compare equipment and materials in a live arena.
A major draw-card of VIIE Gold Coast 2012 is the launch of new release technology and services from different local and international manufacturers and suppliers. The latter half of 2011 saw a number of new products released around the world. For a number of these products and services, VIIE Gold Coast 2012 will be the trade show where they make their debut to the Australian market. New software and sign systems, at least three new wide-format printers, new lasers, a new CNC router, and new doming technology, are just a handful of many of new items that will be on show.
Come see what digital can do
New releases don’t only come in the form of hardware. There are a range of new print materials, substrates and textiles to be released at the show. In recent years, we have seen the growth of digital textile printing, and the emergence of digital printed media for interior decoration… so much so that they are the next major markets for the digital graphics industry. Astute owners and managers of print,
sign and display shops should pay close attention to the new textiles and substrates that have been developed for these fields, many of which will be on show at VIIE Gold Coast 2012.
Go beyond wide-format
One of the great aspects of VIIE Gold Coast 2012 is that not all exhibitors are from the field of wide-format. Yes, you will see the various forms of leading digital print technology, ink and substrate manufacturers, but the world of print and signage has grown beyond these boundaries and the show incorporates all the new techniques, technology and materials being used. CNC routers, laser and traditional engravers, and 3D milling machines and prototyping equipment are finding an ever-increasing place in today’s print, display and sign shops as traditional roles are being blurred. It certainly makes for interesting viewing, especially when business owners on the prowl for new ideas realise that expanding into new fields is not as expensive as first thought. That’s one of the great things about attending expos such as VIIE Gold Coast 2012: you get ideas, and those ideas can be turned into real applications that earn businesses income.
Test
For some visitors, VIIE Gold Coast 2012 is a unique opportunity to test and inspect comparable equipment in the one location. Say, for example, you were looking to purchase a new laser engraver. What better place than VIIE Gold Coast 2012 to inspect and test all the leading laser engravers within the space of just a few hours? The same can be said for any equipment or materials you may be looking at investing in. At the show you can test/try the equipment on display, then within the space of minutes test competing gear.
Save
The further benefit to this situation is that, if you are ready to purchase, you have the added advantage of being able to negotiate price and terms at the show, knowing that exhibitors are keen to sell and, are just metres away from each other. So it should make competition between exhibitors quite intense, and really advantageous for prospective buyers looking to get the best, most affordable deal possible.
Learn
Apart from the information and ideas gained from exhibitors and live demonstrations, attendees can listen to a number of industry leading figures at one of the many free seminars. The information and wisdom passed on through these seminars comes from people that have spent years making a successful career for themselves in the print, sign and display industry. Make sure you look at the seminar schedule list as there’s bound to be a topic presented that will be of direct relevance.
Meet
The networking opportunities the show provides are also in abundance. There are always a number of social events that are held for professionals to extend their contact base and client network. In addition to which, a majority of the displays will always be manned by company owners or senior management. This gives visitors a great opportunity to meet with the people that make the industry what it is today, establish ties and look to build new relationships.
For people considering a career change who are not familiar with the digital print industry, VIIE Gold Coast 2012 is worth a visit to see the range of career options available in this field. It may surprise you to know that the options for employment in the print, sign and display industry are vast. From sign apprenticeships to positions for chemical and electronic engineers, the sign industry employs a large body of people within Australia, with plenty having taken their careers to the international stage. For those looking for an apprenticeship, a number of TAFE representatives will be on hand to answer any and all questions about a career in the industry and where it can lead.
Relax
As mentioned earlier, the show is being held during the school holidays, so it is an ideal opportunity to think about extending your time on the Gold Coast and get in a few days of R&R, see the sights, experience the thrills, and maybe work on a tan. With so much to see and do on the Gold Coast it’s certainly an option worth thinking about.
Now, for all the important details, head to the VIIE Gold Coast 2012 website at www.viie.com.au.
Show details
Where Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
When Thursday 19 April, Friday 20 April, Saturday 21 April
Go to www.viie.com.au
Email viexhibitions@visa.org.au
Technology: Digital print
The print, sign and display industry is a varied one. From state-of-the-art wide and super-wide format digital printers to the latest CNC routers and laser engravers, the range of products, services and capabilities is vast. To see it all, you need a grand stage… welcome to Visual Impact Image Expo Gold Coast 2012.
Digital printing has developed and grown dramatically. Initially a niche field of printing, digital technology and materials had grown dramatically over the years giving print and sign shops the ability to provide services to a range of large consumer markets, both corporate and private.
Digital’s success is due in part to the technology’s low cost of operation, simplicity and flexibility. And it’s these factors that are helping digital move into new markets. Interior design and display are the new frontier.
New substrates and inks are giving print and sign shops the ability to service interior designers and decorators looking to create innovative solutions for corporate and private residences. The examples of work coming through are astounding. From clubs, bars, restaurants, offices, hospitals, schools and private residences, the use of digitally printed materials is growing rapidly.
At VIIE Gold Coast 2012, visitors will be able to see the materials, inks and hardware that are making it even easier for print and sign professionals to service this new, exciting market.
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