Visual Impact: Over 95% booked

In four months, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre doors will open for the first Visual Impact show in the Queensland capital in over six years, and the industry’s suppliers are coming out in force to showcase their latest.

Organisers say over 95% of the show’s floor space is already locked in, with the industry’s leading names joining ranks with a wide range of niche and smaller supply companies to provide a diverse and exciting showcase.

Charly Blades, Events Manager for supplier association Visual Connections, which owns and organises the show, says the team has been overwhelmed with the response.

“We still have a few booths available, but given the amount of interest in them, we expect this to be a fully-subscribed show,” Blades reports.

“The exhibitor list for Brisbane is a diverse group, set to provide a showcase that will encompass all the latest in signage, display, wide-format printing, textile printing, LED and illumination, fabrication, routing, engraving and laser cutting, software and workflows…and much more.

“The floor plan is looking like a really good balance between the larger suppliers with multiple solutions and product lines, and the smaller local and international exhibitors who always bring a range of resources, affiliations, solutions and options which are invaluable to industry businesses and ideally complement the offerings of the bigger names,” she says.

Following the successful launch of the ‘whole-of-industry’ Sign & Print Career Connections program this year, the show will also provide plenty of engagement for those considering industry careers.

“Our full Sign & Print Career Connections stand will actually be on its way to Perth for the major careers expos in the West, but we will have a fully operational Try-A-Trade area in Brisbane with plenty of activities for students, run in partnership with Brisbane TAFE,” Blades explains.

Careers advisors Tina Mavris and John Watters from AusSIP will be on hand to showcase industry opportunities. They will be able to provide prospective trainees with the full suite of Sign & Print Career Connections resources to help them kick-start their career in print, sign and graphics.

Those interested in fabricated signage will also have the chance to get hands-on by registering for Channel Lettering Workshops, run by LetterTech Australia in partnership with Bounce LED.

“The sessions are designed to show registrants the very latest world-class technology for channel lettering and illuminated LED signage,” adds Blades. “They will feature live demonstrations of the latest channel letter bending solutions by industry experts to show just how versatile and easy these machines are to use – and the potential they offer for increasing profitability and building new revenue streams”

Five sessions are available on Wednesday and Thursday of the show and four on Friday, with spaces expected to fill fast – registration is just $25 per person; click here to book 

In recognition of the need to provide maximum value to visitors from their attendance, the seminar program for Visual Impact has also been reimagined, with a series of short, sharp ‘meet the expert’ sessions in the aptly named Connections Centre.

“These more informal, conversational sessions are designed to give attendees information, insights and ideas while connecting them with the experts who can help them build their business success,” Blades says.

With such a comprehensive showcase and program of events, registrations for the show are expected to be strong, with Blades reporting that registrations have already been received from Brisbane and across Queensland, from Northern NSW and the NT.

“We’ve seen excellent attendances at recent shows, particularly where there has been a long hiatus, and we’re certainly expecting to see that in Brisbane,” Blades says.

“While the majority are likely to be from Queensland – primarily Brisbane and surrounds –we traditionally see quite a good number from NSW and the NT to our Queensland shows, and also expect to welcome visitors from further afield, into New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, for whom Brisbane is a convenient location,” she says.

“The show also usually attracts quite a few visitors from southern states, who welcome the opportunity to spend a few days in the sun while catching up with all the latest.”

Visual Impact Brisbane is sponsored by Platinum Sponsor Roland DG and Gold Sponsors Avery Dennison, Epson, Graphic Art Mart, HP, Spicers and Trotec. The show will run from 9 am to 5 pm on Wednesday, 17 and Thursday, 18 July, and from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday, 19 July, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre at South Bank.

Click here to register to attend the show or view the latest information on the Visual Impact website, including the most up-to-date floor plan.