Visual Connections releases survey for sign industry

Visual Connections has released a new survey to help map the multi-million-dollar sign industry, in a bid to gather important information that will help promote and lobby for the industry and ensure that future training, funding and supplies reflect the true requirements of the changing sector.

The Great Australian Sign Survey is targeted at a broad range of businesses – from traditional ‘signies’, to sign shops, fabricators, installers, wide-format and screen printers, expo and display businesses, and textile printers.

Visual Communications CEO Peter Harper said one of the more constantly evolving industries is sign and print, so understanding how they are changing, and what they require, is vital.

“This information will be vitally important. It will help set the basis for businesses and suppliers to ensure their future product offerings meet market trends,” Harper said.

“It will provide the hard data we need to back our representations to government for inclusion in grants, relief packages, training and incentives. And it will inform our ongoing discussions with TAFEs and other training organisations – and our promotions to students who will be the sign makers of tomorrow – to ensure that the appropriate vocational training and career paths are available into the future.

“Essentially, if you define yourself as producing signs, printed banners or display materials, 3D signs, architectural or retail signage, digital and illuminated signs, engraved products, vehicle wraps – or anything in between – we want to hear from you.”

Harper said while estimates put the number of sign and print businesses across Australia at between 5000 to 6000 with outputs running into hundreds of millions of dollars each year, to date there has been no accurate data collected for use by those involved in this sector.

“While industry groups and even some suppliers have compiled their own numbers over the years, no-one – not even the Australian Bureau of Statistics or the industry’s trade associations – has accurate, meaningful and readily-accessible information on the current size or make-up of the industry,” he said.

The survey, managed by business consultants Control Zone, is designed to ask a range of questions to capture basic data on the size and scope of the sector, the product range and methodology employed by industry businesses, and what their plans are for the future.

It will also seek information on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses. All data will be de-identified and used only for the purposes of the survey.

The survey is available at the Sign, Print, Display & Graphics Virtual Trade Show, right inside the entrance, and at www.visualconnections.org.au.

“If you’re a business owner or manager in our diverse and exciting industry, I’d urge you to take a few moments to contribute to this survey. The sign, display and graphics sector is a vital part of our economy; you deserve the importance of your contribution to be recognised, and you deserve to have your voice heard,” Harper added.

 

 

 

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