Visual Connections says the concept of a virtual trade show concept is something it’s been considering for some time as a way of bringing its trade shows – PacPrint, Visual Impact, Label & Packaging Expo and PrintEx – to a wider audience. Now, the idea has been fast-tracked due to the current COVID-19 situation.
“For some time now, we’ve been working on ways in which we could bring the trade show experience to more small businesses, rural and regional operations, and people who are unable, for whatever reason, to attend any particular show in person,” says Peter Harper, CEO of show organiser and supplier association Visual Connections.
With postponements of exhibitions and events around the globe – including its own Gold Coast Visual Impact Expo that was postponed in March - Visual Connections has stepped up to bring the trade show experience to the industry’s home desktops, with a new online expo for print, sign, display and graphics. The Virtual Industry Expo will run from June through to September, 2020, at www.visualconnections.org.au.
“Exhibitors have received the idea with enthusiasm as an ideal opportunity to bring their latest releases and innovations to the market, with industry names already signed up for virtual stands including Avery Dennison, Ball & Doggett, Bőttcher, Control Zone, Ecolease, Epson, Esko, Europoles, Eurotech, Fujifilm, Gravotech, HP, Hexis, Mimaki, Mutoh, Roland DG, Screen, Sign to Badge Solutions, Starleaton and Trotec,” Harper says.
“We’re still working with exhibitors on the full range of content options, however we know that many will be looking at product demonstration videos, virtual tours, sales presentations, downloadable brochures, product photo galleries and website links and the like. And of course, they’ll also be able to offer show specials, accessed by clicking dedicated links on the virtual stand.”
While a virtual show cannot provide all the benefits of a physical expo, Harper says the Visual Connections’ events team is working on a wide range of potential initiatives to ensure that visitors will be able to gather an enormous amount of information, see innovations in action, and connect with product specialists and sales teams.
“The new virtual trade show will bring together a broad range of information and content to provide a comprehensive experience – albeit in the virtual sphere,” he says. “Visitors will be able to peruse the entire offering by navigating through easy-to-use buttons on each stand.
The virtual expo is timely for Australian print service providers and sign and display businesses, with Government incentives announced to encourage business investment, and a long wait now before decision-makers are able to attend shows like FESPA and DRUPA, not to mention local Visual Impact and PacPrint expos.
“From March 2020 until June 2020, the instant asset write-off threshold has been raised to $150,000 for each asset, up from $30,000, for businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $500 million,” Harper says.
“This means virtually every print, sign, graphics or packaging business in Australia is eligible, and there is a huge range of technology, equipment and systems which will fall under the new threshold – so this could be the ideal opportunity to bring forward any planned investment to better equip your business to continue to operate, and to recover more quickly when the current restrictions are lifted.
“The current situation is certainly challenging for every business but, by innovating and working together, we will get through this – and then, when this is all behind us, we’ll very much look forward to welcoming everyone to our next physical show, which will be a celebration indeed!”
To view the current floorplan, click here and, to get in early and register to attend the show – and receive all communications about the event – email exhibitions@visualconnections.org.au.
Any suppliers wishing to secure one of the remaining available stands should contact Peter Harper on peterh@visualconnections.org.au or 0418 267 952.
