WIDE FORMAT & SIGNAGE NEWS Visual Impact/PacPrint has been declared an “unqualified success” by organisers after generating over $50 million in business transacted at the four-day show. With numbers lower than previous shows at 6,500 across four days, the quality of those who attended is reported by stand holders as “very pleasing”; according to exhibitor reports, were “ready to buy”. The business transacted at the show, and thousands of new sales leads were generated – reportedly more than at the last pre-pandemic show, PrintEx19. The success of the event has generated high interest in future shows, with Visual Connections confirming dates for future shows as follows: • 3-5 May 2023 | Visual Impact Sydney – Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park • May 2024 | Visual Impact Brisbane – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (dates TBC) • 20 – 23 May 2025 | PacPrint 2025 – Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park they Visual Impact / PacPrint generates $50 million in sales The annual shows are timed to optimise updates from suppliers while bringing the trade show schedule back into line with the international exhibition calendar. John Wall, President of Visual Connections, says pandemic delays and limited availability of slots at exhibition venues have impacted print exhibitions, mainly due to the long bump-in times required. “We were fortunate to secure a long enough window at the MCEC to bring PacPrint, Visual Impact and the Label & Packaging Expo to the industry recently, and it’s been enormously satisfying to see the excitement, energy and real results this has generated for both suppliers and industry businesses,” Wall says. Visual Impact Expos are back to their annual schedule, catering for the fast-growing and diverse sign, display and graphics sector. Visitors to these smaller shows can expect a broad range of innovations in everything from sign and display systems to wide-format printing, textile and sublimation printing, engraving, routing and laser cutting, 3D printing, finishing solutions, a variety for Signage, Print & Packaging at PacPrint Spicers ‘Ultimate Pit Stop’ of software and MIS systems and a full range of media from paper and boards, to synthetic media and specialised textiles. Also announced was the rebadging of the traditional Sydney show, PrintEx, to bring it under the more well-established PacPrint brand. “The decision to bring the major Sydney and Melbourne shows under the PacPrint banner not only brings consistency to our trade show offering by consolidating these shows under the one, highly- respected brand but also reflects the changes in the PrintEx expo since it was introduced as a purely informational show with shell scheme booths and no major stands,” Wall explains. “Since then, it has grown to take its legitimate place as an equal to its Melbourne counterpart, with the PacPrint name more accurately reflecting what visitors can expect from the 2025 show,” he says, adding that the Visual Impact Expo and the Label & Packaging Expo are expected to co-locate once again, providing greater diversity for visitors. Ball & Doggett expands Sign and Display team Ball & Doggett adds to their experienced Sign, Display & Digital team with the appointment of James Merhab in Sydney and Marisa Smyrneos in Adelaide. “It is important to have the experience and resources available to support the growing sign, display and digital market. Together with the employment of James, Marisa, and behind them our knowledgeable Sign, Display & Digital team, we are backed with an extensive range of material which puts us as a strong distribution partner in this market,” said Rob Brussolo, General Manager – Sign, Display & Digital, Ball & Doggett. James Merhab joined Ball & Doggett as a Sales Executive – Sign, Display & Digital at the end of last year and brings ten years of industry experience. James is an expert across all wide-format printing technologies and has extensive knowledge across rigid, self-adhesive vinyl and flexible media. After two years of delays, Spicers showcased its huge selection of leading brands in-person at PacPrint in June, billing their stand as the ‘ultimate pit stop for signage, print and packaging’. “Spicers launched Environs, our new Spicers Sustainability Pack, and introduced new brands, products and hardware at PacPrint,” said Wayne Hood - Spicers Sign & Display Portfolio Manager. “It was exciting for Spicers to showcase our entire portfolio, including coated, uncoated, specialty, self-adhesive and synthetic stocks for commercial print and digital media and a range of high-quality packaging grades ideal for specific requirements from grease-resistant, fridge safe, freezer safe and direct food contact safe products. “There was also be a huge range of sign and display consumables to explore, from Ace Screenboard and Ace Outdoor to Corflute and Re-Board. Visitors saw live vehicle wrap demos featuring the 3M 2080 Wrap Film, the new 3M IJ 280 print wrap film, and the super-fast, labour-saving RollsRoller flatbed applicator and had the opportunity to speak to our product specialists about all these options, as well as a host of new hardware.” Another highlight was the Green Spotlights, a range of sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions selected from the entire Spicers portfolio to highlight important environmental product features and benefits. 6 AUG/SEP 2022 “My time at Ball & Doggett so far has been extremely positive – and aligns with my professional career development. I enjoy supporting my team and customers, and my goal is to always look outside the box and develop new ways of finding a solution to problems,” says James Merhab. Marisa has ten years of experience in the print and graphics market and is excited to join and continue the momentum and growth already experienced in the South Australian market. “My return to work and Ball & Doggett comes with a lot of excitement as I look forward to helping customers in Adelaide grow and expand their business through a mutual partnership,” said Marisa Smyrneos, Sales Executive – Sign, Display & Digital, Ball & Doggett.
