The two merchant associations in the graphic arts are getting together under a new name … Visual Connections.
Following an exclusive report by Print21 this week, Mitchell Mulligan, President of GAMAA, and Mark Tailby, President of VISA, have confirmed the two associations are in the final legal stages of signing off the merger that will see the two largest supplier organisations in the industry join forces.
The new entity, which will be a limited liability company, will also have a new name – Visual Connections – and will be operational from July 1, 2015. Both GAMAA and VISA will continue to trade under their individual names for 12 months in accordance with legal requirements.
GAMAA Executive Director Karen Goldsmith and VISA General Manager Peter Harper will jointly manage the new entity during this time.
The new board has also been determined and will have equal representation from both Associations:
Mitchell Mulligan - Bottcher
Russell Cavenagh - DES
Ian Martin - WRH Global
Luke Wooldridge - Kodak
Mark Tailby - Graphic Art Mart
John Wall - Roland DG
Marcus Adler -Adler Digital
Troy Macintosh - Sign Sheet Distributors