The first Image Expo staged in Perth for three years took place at the Webster Pavilion at the Claremont Showgrounds.
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The exhibitor list covered a broad range of signage, wide format digital, engraving and associated display graphic applications. The venue was convenient for both exhibitors and visitors alike, with easy access and plenty of free parking beside the venue.
As expected wide format digital was well represented with several vendors mounting working displays of solvent, eco-solvent, UV and acqueous printers. Roland, via distributor Project Engraving and Digital, chose Image Expo Perth to release its competitively priced Versaart RS640 printer. Project also displayed the Roland VersaCam SP300V, SolJet Pro XC540 and VersaCam VP 540. Starleaton Digital was another vendor with a new release, with the Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 making its first Australian appearance. Fujifilm Sericol had its popular Acuity HD 2504 flatbed press at the show, while Anitech displayed its range of HP Designjet printers including the Designjet H45500 and Designjet H9000S.
In the Routing and Engraving sector, Tek Cad & Cam had its flatbed TekCel Verso router plus a range of Roland and Mimaki printer/cutters. Trotec Laser was another exhibitor with a range of its specialist laser engraving equipment on show. Like many other vendors, Trotec sold several laser engraving units at the show.
Media vendors Ricky Richards (Sales) and Signage Accessory Supplies (SAS) were represented at Image Expo, as were sublimation vendor Nova Sublimation and heatset press specialists Stahls Pacific. Stahls reported that it had sold its entire exhibition stock at the show.
Show regular Ezy Taper was there with its amazing sign making laminator/mounter described as the “essential signmaking tool”. The Ezy Taper is a well designed, well built and, most importantly, well priced workhorse that always draws a crowd. At the close of the show Ezy Taper had sold 12 machines into the WA market.
While regional shows such as Image Expo Perth, and the recently held Image Expo Adelaide don’t have access to the available exhibitor numbers of the larger east-coast expos, they do provide a focal point for sign and graphics providers in these cities to see the latest the market has to offer. Perth and Adelaide exhibitors told organisers that both shows were successful and indicated they would be starters at the next events.
Ken & Stan from Image told Wide Format Online that they are planning to have both Adelaide and Perth exhibitions as permanent tri-annual fixtures and will plan and announce dates for the next events in due course.
Image Expo
http://www.imageexpo.com.au/
