Last weekend was the inaugural Australasian Professional Vehicle Wrapping Association’s meet & greet. The free event was well supported by old and young alike, experienced and inexperienced, male and female, traditional sign writers and those from the digital realm.
Some of the industry’s best came to learn and teach others their own techniques and discuss problems and issues they face. People travelled from Melbourne, Sydney and from Central Queensland to be there and work with their peers for the same goal.
As one of the team that organized this event, I’m here to tell you that it started off being a small gathering with like-minded individuals, then when our press release was published in this online magazine, word spread very quickly and we were forced to quickly find larger premises. It was encouraging to know that others felt the same way – wanting an association to represent them in a relatively new market, with the aim to maintain a level of professionalism which will hopefully ensure the longevity of their trade.
Darren Bennett from Australian Signage Solutions and Wraps answered the call without hesitation and volunteered to host the venue at his large spacious facility at Yatala. His hospitality was greatly appreciated by all concerned.
By far the majority of attendees were smaller operators that don’t have the luxury of having a second pair of hands, or don’t have someone that they can turn to and discuss how to resolve a problem with their technique, or have the luxury of trying other brands to what they normally use. Smaller operators tend to get stuck in a safety zone, which limits their expertise over time.
Those that participated included representatives from the major manufactures, with Avery sending gifts and product swatches for all in attendance, as did PT Store who strongly supported their Hexis brand with sales executives on hand to assist with enquiries on Hexis products for those that hadn’t experienced the product before.
3M donated 3 rolls of products – 1080, 180cv3 and their matching laminate and David McDonald from HVG cut into his family long weekend to be on hand on Saturday to answer any questions regarding the 3M materials for those attendees that don’t deal with 3M normally.
As the findings from the website survey showed, some of the numbers were interesting from those suppliers and manufacturers that did attend on the Saturday.
But, it wasn’t a sales fest. I think Mark van Dam, a leading contract wrapper said it best on his Facebook page “I think the best part of it all, was that pre conceptions went out the door when we all met and participated. Newbies sharing their ideas, oldies too, and reps getting dirty on the tools.
No hard sales, just showing how they actually love the business. That’s rare for us usually; we have never seen that before. The enthusiasm for what we do, from sales rep to installer. It was magic to a part of it.”
Justin Dam from Exclusive Wraps also made a similar comment “Yeah no sales reps forcing crap down our throats like we don't know about wrap films already. lol. That was nice.
I think the event was awesome. It was a great training tool for new people and for those who are elders of the trade, it was a good chance for them to catch up and network. I believe that the next one, wherever it will be held, will be even better. '”
I am pleased to say too that meeting some of these younger installers and discussing issues we all face was very encouraging. Working together to find out the best way around the problems we all invariably face was refreshing. There were no egos on the day. At least three other people, my immediate opposition avoided any chest thumping or sarcasm in any of the dealings there.
It was also a nice atmosphere in the board room at the end of the first day, when we met to discuss the direction the association members want to take. Everyone in the room was of the same mind. Brent Shire from In Front Media, a gentleman well versed in writing constitutions and himself founder of several not-for-profit groups and author of our proposed constitution gave up his afternoon to brief all those present on what the constitution said.
Everyone present was asked to read the draft and come back with any concerns or comments relative to the content, before it is set in stone in the coming months.
Sunday was far more relaxed with a few of the more experienced contract wrap installers giving us all one on one tips on how we can improve our techniques. I think most people left on Sunday learning something.
The idea and concept of the association is clearly a winner and we are excited about the plans we have to move forward from here.
Like most dedicated associations, the APVWA can offer the ability to offer simple things like survey data to the manufacturers, real time feedback to problems developing in the industry, tool selection to improve application processes and so much more. As an added bonus, the networking opportunities are endless.
The core values we have placed on the association are based around the CCT concept : Cooperation, Communication and Trust.
I’ll be writing more about that later.
At the end of the day, it was nice to see every member of the trade show so much respect for their peers. To give of their time so freely, to be prepared to try new application methods, try new products, better undertand what it takes to continually grow in the spirit of CCT…. I think the industry can only benefit from such a comaraderie that we collectively experienced last weekend.
That, combined with seeing some of the most outstanding wraps of those attending was, in my humble opinion, an absolute highlight.
Finally, we had a visit from the promotion company launching the 2015 wrap expo, easily the biggest event the industry will participate in, and all is set for a great 18 months.
Hopefully the major brands will get behind the wrap expo in the next few weeks and be part of something that promises to be huge. The company planning the expo are the same company that did the Australian Navy celebrations in October last year. They don’t do anything by halves. 
It will, without doubt, benefit the whole industry, and it will be interesting to see which of the suppliers and brands are keen to work with the promoters in making the Expo an event that will be world class, promoting the whole wrap industry for consumers to see it as a unique value added product to their vehicles, rather than a bit of a gimmick that some people see it as now. Time will tell, but plenty of overseas wrappers are watching with interest as many have indicated they want to be involved in the wrap expo if it eventuates. Time will tell I guess.
Shane Drew
info@apvwa.com.au
