PacPrint 2005 – that was the show that was

Industry observers are predicting that the audited figures, to be released next week, will show that overall attendance was down by eight per cent at this year's show, the largest fall from Victoria. The overall show occupied a smaller area than the previous PacPrint, with many of the stands dramatically reduced in size.

However, reports from vendors on the floor were overwhelmingly positive, with many of the smaller exhibitors in particular reporting both strong equipment sales and a wealth of valuable business contacts.

Emerging at the other end of the tunnel, chairman of the PacPrint board Ron Patterson has expressed delight at how the industry's four-yearly event wound up. “From the board's perspective, we're extremely happy with how the week went ahead,” he says. “It was very successful, especially in conjunction with the National Print Awards, and we got a great response from the smaller exhibitors, of which there were more than ever this time around.”

National Print Award organisers are now facing the dilemma of deciding how to hold the event in conjunction with the PrintTec exhibition in Sydney in two years time. It will require a shuffle of venues, with either Melbourne or Sydney getting the show two years in a row.