Click here for our photo gallery from the showfloor

There were 8,513 visits recorded for PrintEx11 and VIIE, which was held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre (SCEC) on 4-6 May.

Numbers were down from PrintEx07, but the show’s chairman, Mitch Mulligan, said this was the result of industry contraction and that reduced numbers were in line with expectations.

Mulligan added that he was pleased by the post show reports.

“We have been delighted with the enthusiastic response of both exhibitors and visitors to the show, which I think has been evident to anyone who has been at the SCEC over the past couple of days,” he said.

Some 76% of visitors were from New South Wales with the remaining from interstate and New Zealand.

Mulligan said: “Many exhibitors took the opportunity to hold functions for their customers, our friends from New Zealand gathered on Thursday while a large Aussie contingent enjoyed the National Print Awards on Thursday night.”

Click here to see our photo gallery from the National Print Awards

While the majority of visiotrs came from traditional print backgrounds, Mulligan said the number of guests from design and advertising backgrounds was a positive sign.

“Another pleasing aspect was the growing numbers in what we call the ‘second tier’ categories of design, advertising and marketing personnel, as these are key decision makers in terms of creating and placing print,” he added.

The PrintEx Forum Series enjoyed growth from previous years with nearly 500 people attending the three free seminars, which included an “inspiring address” on creativity and innovation by Leo Burnett chief executive and Gruen Transfer regular Todd Sampson.

Mulligan also stressed the importance of the networking aspects of the show.

“As always, the show itself was a backdrop to numerous opportunities for networking, which can be as valuable as anything at a show like this,” said Mulligan.

“Then, there are the opportunities to catch up with colleagues, customers, suppliers and friends for lunch, coffee or a drink after the show – even informal encounters in the aisles of the show which, as many of us know, can be as important as any organised meeting.

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