Visual Impact 2024 addressed key industry challenges, showcased the latest solutions, and facilitated valuable connections, reaffirming its status as a premier event in the sign, display, and graphics sector.
Organised by Visual Connections, Brisbane’s Visual Impact 2024 exceeded expectations and received positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors. The event, last held six years ago, drew nearly 2,500 attendees over three days, marking a 20 percent increase on 2018.
Most visitors were from Brisbane and Queensland, but attendees were also from New South Wales, Northern Territory, Perth, Melbourne, and New Zealand. Many arrived on Thursday or Friday, making their trip a short vacation.
The show defied recent trends, with many companies investing in bringing their teams to see the latest technologies, experience market trends, and update their knowledge in person. Organisers noted that some groups drove for hours or flew from interstate, deeming the time and resource investment worthwhile.
For exhibitors, the success of the show was not just about foot traffic, but the quality and readiness of visitors to invest. Visual Impact 2023 exhibitors reported strong sales with visitors eager to make purchases. Many exhibitors sold multiple major items and some even sold out their displays. The high return on investment (ROI) for participating in Visual Impact was highly praised, making it a key event for serious suppliers in the sign, display, and graphics sectors.
Visitors were treated to more than just a showcase of products. The show highlighted significant market trends and key industry challenges, such as the shortage of skilled staff. High interest was shown in systems that reduce production touchpoints, allowing businesses to “do more with less” and grow despite staffing challenges. Sustainability was also a significant focus, with new energy-efficient solutions and waste-reduction features on display. Additionally, businesses explored new technologies to create valuable revenue streams.
The seminar program in the Connections Centre presentation lounge addressed these themes with various topics and speakers, offering an intimate, conversation-focused approach. The Sign & Print Career Connections stand and Try-A-Trade area also drew steady interest, promoting resources to support the employment and retention of apprentices, which is crucial for matching industry opportunities with the high interest from potential trainees. Channel letter-bending workshops by Lettertech and Bounce LED were well-attended, adding further value to the event.
Industry associations showed strong support at the show. The Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA) had a whole team on hand to discuss member benefits and resources. FESPA Australia, the Lithographic Institute of Australia (LIA), the Flexible Packaging and Label Manufacturers Association (FPLMA), and Women in Print, who hosted a networking event, also participated.
“We are delighted with the way the industry – both exhibitors and visitors – embraced the opportunities provided at Visual Impact in Brisbane,” Visual Connections events manager, Charly Blade says.
“The team is now well advanced in planning for the next Visual Impact Expo, which will co-locate with PacPrint 2025 and the Label & Packaging Expo at the Sydney Showground in May next year and will feature even more new information, ideas and inspiration to help businesses improve performance and profitability, increase sustainability, manage the ongoing skills shortage and capitalise on new market trends and opportunities.”
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