As a beautiful Melbourne morning dawned, Day 2 of PacPrint 2017 kicked off with a lively discussion for the industry’s women at Women in Print, before doors opened to a busy and productive day on the exhibition floor.
With Forums and Workshops dealing with everything from High Performance to National Employment Standards, it was a day of information, inspiration and investment.
Women in Print lived up to its reputation as a premier networking and professional development opportunity for the industry’s women. 115 women gathered to hear a panel of industry leaders lead a lively discussion on topics ranging from competition and innovation, to training and technology, workplace equality and diversity, financial planning and finding balance in life.
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| Photo Electronic Services had this interesting display at their Massivit exhibit. It was not a holographic image, it was simply an image projected onto spinning transparent blades. |
Susan Heaney - MD of Heaney’s Performers in Print, facilitated the discussion between panelists Matt Aitken - COO of IVE Group, Kellie Northwood - CEO of the ACA, TSA and her own agency Sierra Delta, Ange O’Dea - GM of Watermarx Graphics, and Erick Cordero – GM Growth at Media Super.
By the time breakfast participants had made their way to the Exhibition Centre, queues were already forming at the show’s entrances, with industry professionals keen for their chance to see the technology and solutions on display from the 150 PacPrint exhibitors.
Overall, numbers were up significantly from Tuesday, and also represented a pleasing improvement over the same day at PacPrint 2013. Crowds were further boosted by the late opening, with many visitors staying to enjoy canapes and drinks in the last couple of hours, and others travelling in later in the day to take advantage of the after-work hours.
The day’s visitors also included a large cohort of students, including interior design and graphic design students from Holmesglen Institute, who described their tour of the show as a ‘revelation’ of what print can offer them in their future careers.
Throughout the day, it was evident that excitement is building around the show, with a buzz in the aisle and SOLD stickers beginning to appear on equipment throughout the exhibition hall. Exhibitors reported an extremely busy and productive day and once again commented on the quality of visitors, with senior management and decision makers once again clearly dominating the visitor cohort.
In a welcome complement to the exhibition, Forum and Workshop sessions throughout the day were well attended.
Helicopter paramedic Peter Davidson kept a packed theatre mesmerised recounting how he faced unimaginable challenges – and overcame his own fear – during the rescue of eight sailors from the ill-fated 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race. This was followed by exceptionally well-attended sessions on Training for Transformation, chaired by Robert Black, and a session on retail presented by Kellie Northwood.
Workshops covering topics from functional print and designing for digital, to information sessions on National Employment Standards and Termination of Employment, were also well attended and most welcome to visitors looking for more specific, ‘hands on’ information.
“We’re delighted with the success of the show so far,” said PacPrint Chair Adrian Fleming, citing strong numbers, an outstanding range of solutions on exhibit, and a willingness by visitors to genuinely engage and invest.
“PacPrint 2017 is already delivering on its goals of connecting print and sign businesses with the suppliers of equipment, systems and services in a true, B2B environment – to the benefit of both. Today has been an enormously positive day, and we are looking forward to even busier and better days tomorrow and Friday.”
PacPrint 2017
www.pacprint.com.au
