Once you have recovered from drupa 2024 - it’s just a few weeks until the doors of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre will open for the first Visual Impact show in the Queensland capital for over six years (thankyou covid!). The industry’s suppliers are coming out in force to make this a Brissy Blockbuster event.
Convivial scene from Visual Impact in Sydney, 2023
More than 95% of the show’s floorspace 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. She says: “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 adds: “The exhibitor list for Brisbane is a really diverse group, set to provide a showcase that will encompass all the latest in 
Event Manager Charly Blades signage, display, wide-format printing, textile printing, LED and illumination, fabrication, routing, engraving and laser cutting, software and workflows…and much more. The floorplan 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.
"Following on from 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,” says Blades.
Careers advisors Tina Mavris and John Watters from AusSIP will be on hand to showcase industry opportunities, and 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.
Not just digital - fabricated signs too
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. 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," adds Blades. Five sessions are available on the Wednesday and Thursday, and four on the Friday, with spaces expected to fill fast – registration is just $25 per person and bookings can be made here.
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.
According to Charly Blades: “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."
With such a comprehensive showcase and program of events, registrations for the show are continuing to be strong, with registrations already received from Brisbane and across Queensland, Northern NSW and the Northern Territory.
“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. 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,” says Blades, adding: "Also, the show 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. It will run from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th July, and from 9am to 4pm on Friday 19th July, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Bank.
To register to attend the show, which is free, Click here
View all the latest information, including the most up to date floorplan, on the Visual Impact website.
