Large format exhibition comes in from the cold - Ann Callahan's report

The original report published here on the Visual Impact Image Expo on the Gold Coast was written by Ann Callahan, a journalist for Printers Post.

Due to a mis-communication her report was received by the editor as though it was a press release from the organisers of the show. As such it was published with minimal changes. We are now appraised that it was in fact an article written by Ann in her professional capacity as a journalist. Its publication on Print21online was therefore unauthorised and should not have ocurred.

We thank Ann for her understanding of the mistake and commend the report to your further attention.

Exhibitors and visitors to Visual Impact Image Expo on the Gold Coast all praised the show as a great success with 57 exhibitors showing their wares to the sign, graphic and engraving industries. It was the first show managed by staff from the Visual Industries Suppliers Association (VISA).

President Mark Tailby reported over 1000 people through on the first day, a 54 per cent increase on last year. "Walking around and talking to the other exhibitors, they are absolutely ecstatic about the response," he said.

Tailby believes that to extend the show from two to three days is a logical step. "It would give customers the opportunity to spend more time discussing their needs with exhibitors. We need to do some surveys and talk to people after the show. We know that 75-80 per cent of people come from the state where the show is held so it seems logical that if we can have an annual show in Sydney, we should have one in Queensland every year as a platform for the equipment vendors," he said.

VISA has been going from strength to strength since the association was formed in 1997 to advance the causes, exposure, education and awareness of members. Currently the agenda is for Visual Impact Image Expo to be held every year in Sydney at the end of the third quarter or beginning of the fourth quarter with a second show alternating between Queensland and Melbourne. Discussions are underway between VISA, GAMAA and PIA which would see Visual Impact Image Expo take place at the same venue, in the same time frame as Pacprint and PrintEx.

"With the convergence in the industry it makes sense for us to consider how exhibitors and visitors can save costs as well as time. There is a commitment from VISA to do whatever it takes to get the organisations to work together to have the shows on in the same time frame," Tailby said. "Long-term it will happen; the only issue is Pacprint next year. We have already agreed to bring the two shows together for PrintEx 2011."

Check the original article here: http://printerspost.com.au/app/Classifieds/view_newsletterwd_detail.asp#1