Organisers of Australia’s upcoming PacPrint13 trade show say they have made significant changes to the event following unprecedented industry research.
The announcement comes on the heels of major newspaper and graphic arts industry vendors pulling out of trade shows including next year’s Ipex event.
PacPrint13 chairman Ian Martin says organsers held face-to-face meetings with past exhibitors and visitors in recent months, and canvassed more than 600 business owners and key industry personnel.
Results will shape a ‘new look’ event in Melbourne from May 21-25, Martin says.
“Right from the start of the planning process, we have been aware that PacPrint13 would have to be a very different event from those which have preceded it,” he says. “Quite apart from the obvious changes to the size and composition of the industry since 2009, the media landscape, the competition and challenges facing businesses, and the options and opportunities available have all altered radically in that time.”
Responses from the industry have provided “a good idea” of what changes were needed.
A significant number want more print and media buyers attracted to the show, and a bigger emphasis on reminding the broader community about the power of print. They also wanted more educational and networking opportunities.
Martin says these findings will drive efforts to attract “interesting and exciting” exhibitors and influence educational opportunities.
Expect new areas to showcase cross-media and e-business innovations, allowing visitors to leave with fresh approaches to integrating digital and traditional marketing channels to drive customer engagement and increase revenues. “And we’ll also be providing some exciting new initiatives in the education area, to be announced shortly,” he says.
The changes and new initiatives will add extra value to an event which already promises to be an outstanding opportunity for business, Martin says. He cites a “broad and exciting exhibitor list”, co-location with the Visual Impact Image Expo sign and display show and a host of other events, and opportunities which are being added to the PacPrint13 calendar “almost weekly”.
Martin says that the most encouraging feedback from the research may be that most participants believe the worst of the downturn is over, with an overwhelming majority looking forward to stability or even slight growth in the short to medium term future.
“Our aim has always been to create an event which provides the ideas, inspiration and resources that businesses in our industry need to plan for the future,” he says. “The positivity expressed by our research participants was fantastic to see and has made us even more committed to delivering those things at PacPrint13.”