New Board Appointed as Visual Connections Looks to the Future

Visual Connections, the association representing suppliers to the print, sign, display and visual communications industries, held its AGM and Member Meeting last Tuesday, appointing new Board Members and outlining a clear strategy for the future.

In something of an understatement, outgoing President Mitch Mulligan described 2021 as ‘another challenging year’, with the cancellation and postponement of expos and events – which normally bring in the majority of the association’s income – having a significant impact.

Overall, however, he said the association is in sound shape, with both the Board and operational team looking towards 2022 with a clear strategy, a renewed sense of purpose, and genuine excitement at the prospect of returning to in-person events.

“Our Events team has been kept busy planning, cancelling, rescheduling and replanning events all year, but we were extremely pleased to be able to deliver a number of successful events recently, including the State PICAs and the National Print Awards presentations, and the ASGA / FESPA Australia HP Awards for Excellence,” he reported.  

No event cancellation impacted the organisation more than that of its flagship trade show, PacPrint, and its co-located exhibitions, Visual Impact and the Label & Packaging Expo. The show will now be held from 28 June – 1 July 2022, and Mulligan says the organisation and its co-host the Print & Visual Communications Association are gearing up for a bumper event after a two-year absence of trade shows.

“We are very much looking forward to catching up with as many of our industry colleagues as possible as we are able to gather more often in 2022,” he said.

The meeting also saw a new Board elected to herald in the new year. While many Board members are returning, Peter Wagener, the WA-based Managing Director of Euro Poles and All Flags Signs & Banners, was elected to join the Board.

“Peter is a passionate, long-term supporter of the industry,” Mulligan said. “He believes in a bright future for print, sign and display and wants to see Australian businesses, particularly manufacturing businesses, thriving.  Peter’s energy and enthusiasm will be a real asset to the Visual Connections Board, and we are delighted to welcome him onto the team.”

John Wall, Roland DG, was appointed President and thanked Mitch Mulligan for his leadership in the past. “I and the Board are looking forward to working together as we look to the return of some normality, trade shows and events in the future,” he said.

The full list of Board members includes Ben Eaton, Starleaton, who was elected Vice-President; Luke Wooldridge from Fujifilm Australia who is staying on as Treasurer, and general Board Members Jeremy Brew, HP; Russell Cavenagh, Mutoh Australia; Ian Martin, Ferag Australia; Mitch Mulligan, Böttcher Australia and Peter Wagener, Euro Poles.