Visual Connections - the Australian association formed by the merger of supplier groups GAMAA and VISA - has held its first meeting.

President Mitch Mulligan says its mandate is firmly based on the objectives of its predecessors to give back to the industry: ""The board of Visual Connections is committed to contributing to a sustainable future for our industries by continuing to invest in education, sponsorship, exhibitions and grants programmes.

"With the combined memberships of both associations Visual Connections is representative of all the major suppliers across the print, graphic and signage industries. We are a united force and are excited about the opportunities this presents."

Visual Connections is committed to contributing to a sustainable future for its industries by continuing to invest in education, sponsorship, exhibitions and grants programmes, the board says.

The meeting was attended by president Mitchell Mulligan (Böttcher), vice president Mark Tailby (Graphic Art Mart), Russell Cavenagh (DES), Ian Martin (WRH Global), Luke Wooldridge (Kodak), John Wall (Roland DG), Marcus Adler (Adler Digital) and Troy Macintosh (Sign Sheet Distributors).

First order of business will be to undertake a full strategic review, which will be led by Karen Goldsmith (general manager - association) and Peter Harper (general manager -- trade shows) to develop a map for the future.

"We're also planning an official launch for our members in August and we have the Visual Impact Trade Show coming up in Melbourne in September so there's plenty to get on with," Mulligan says.

The Visual Impact Trade Show is being held from September 17-19 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

• Winner of this year's GAMAA Industry Overseas Research Grant - valued at $15,000 - is Steven Strang, national account director at Fuji Xerox Document Management Solutions. Mitch Mulligan said Strang's submission to explore how mobile data capture is evolving in a commercial context would provide the industry with a greater understanding of the impact, and opportunities these technologies present.

He says the submission was well thought out and he presented a sound case to the judging panel: "His investigation of the mobile data capture space should provide important insights for the industry in relation to developing new products and services."