In spite of having a much smaller sign and specialty graphics service provider base than the eastern seaboard capitals, well known industry figures Ken Pobjoy and Stan Kilpin said that Image Expo Adelaide was a pleasing result for exhibitors and visitors alike.
The show offered business owners in Adelaide the opportunity to see equipment running and, at the same time, talk with vendors first hand in order to better assess what will best suit their individual requirements.
Held at the Adelaide Showgrounds last Thursday and Friday (June 12 & 13), Image Expo maintained the current trend of being heavily represented by wide format digital imaging. In spite of this, the show also offered visitors a good cross section of related industry applications such as sublimation printing; laminating; routing engraving; cylindrical printing; media; heat presses; promotional products; display products and more.
Wide format providers such as: Anitech Australia; DGS Mimaki; Digital & Engraving Solutions; Fujifilm Sericol; and Roland DG Australia demonstrated a range of equipment for indoor, outdoor and textile printing applications. Anitech had the “Sold” sign on its HP Designjet 35100 early on day two of the show. Other vendors also reported plenty of interest from the Adelaide wide format community, and further sales will certainly result from the show.
GJS Machinery displayed a range of promotional printing solutions including its Subli-Trans sublimation printing solution, heat presses and other display options for those specialising in promotional work.
Another promotional and display product exhibitor was The Magic Touch, with a range of transfer papers, heat presses and business and promotional items.
Engravers visiting HMH Australia’s booth were able to see the latest engraving and routing technology plus a range of software modules. HMH is a regular at the Sydney and Gold Coast Visual Impact Image Expo events and Adelaide operators appreciated the opportunity to speak to them on home soil.
No show would be complete without a car wrap, and Australian Visual Solutions provided a colourful wrap of a 1972 Mercedes Benz 2-door.
SAS Signage Accessories showed a comprehensive range of display stands, banner stands, sign panels, A-frames, pop-ups, L- Banners and scrolling roll screen stands. 
Finishing was another sector on show to Adelaide graphics providers, with Lamination Systems demonstrating its range of high quality machines. Also, a regular at Visual Impact Image Expo shows on the eastern seaboard, Ezy Taper was at Image Expo Adelaide and, like the other shows at which it has appeared, drew an enthusiastic South Australian crowd to see the multi-purpose unit. The award winning Ezy Taper is promoted as “The Essential Signmaking Tool”. It can complete a range of tasks including cold laminating, print mounting, flood coating, tape application and a lot more. By 2pm on day two, Ezy Taper’s Warrick Pye had sold his 10th unit at the show to Mad Aussie Signs’ Darryn and Andrea Gibson.
The South Australian division of the Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA) was also at the show to encourage South Australian sign providers to become members and to participate in the benefits the association has to offer.
At the end of the Image Expo Adelaide, exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the show's outcome and most expressed interest in the next South Australian event tentatively planned for 2011.
For information on Image Expo contact Stan Kilpin at 08 9440 5800 or info@imageexpo.com.au
