The co-located expos of VIIE, PrintCom, Retail at Marketing and Retail 2011 finished up in Melbourne last week with strong attendance numbers reported across the four shows.
Professionals from the sign, display, print and retail marketing sectors were treated to the latest in equipment and applications from the 150 plus exhibitors from the influential visual communication and retail service industries.

The coming together of the four related shows, now in its second year and the first in Melbourne consolidated the need to broaden the exhibitor offerings and visitor experience at tradeshows. The attendees and show displays were as diverse as the industry they operate in.

co-located_expo
Show organisers VISA, GASAA, POPAI and Interpoint reported a high percentage of decision makers who attended the shows (between 53% and 58% for each show). Design and production operators accounted for between 28% and 34% of attendees across the shows while a relatively small percentage of people at the expos were not in a position to influence decision making within their firm. Close to 20% of attendees were from outside of Victoria for each of the four shows. Professional from 13 countries were present at last week’s Melbourne event.

The organisations behind the co-located events also pointed to the strong crossover of attendees between the shows as evidence of the synergies between the display/print and retail marketing sectors, with a close to equal split in registered visitors from the display/print and retail sides of the wider industry. Show organisers indicated that many exhibitors reported sales on the expo floor and all gained strong leads from being at the show.

Garry Knespal, Executive officer of GASAA in wrapping up the week said “as the display/print and retail industry look beyond their traditional market the success of the co-located show in Sydney last year and now Melbourne is significant. Thousands of retail marketers saw first hand the new capabilities of print, while just as many printers got a look at the exciting opportunities developing in point of sale and retail marketing. Over 11,000 people have now been exposed to the wider business opportunities that exist through these co-located shows in Sydney and Melbourne in the past year… in this fast moving world that’s a lot of people keen for up-to-date technology and ideas” he concluded.

Commenting on the VIIE Peter Harper, General Manager, Visual Impact Suppliers Association said, “it was a great opportunity for VISA and our partners to be engaged with the important market in the southern States. The strong attendance numbers, repeat visits over the three days and the large interstate contingent confirms the value of the co-located shows”.   

Karen Spear, General Manager, POPAI Aust NZ said, “our Marketing at Retail Expo and awards of excellence display is a highlight in our association calendar and the Melbourne show gave our exhibitors and award entrants great exposure”

On-behalf of organisers of Retail 2011 Simon Cooper, Managing Director, Interpoint said “the mix of expo and conference attendees at Retail 2011, coupled with the continual flow of people from the other co-located shows worked well for an integrated experience for all”

The co-located expos are scheduled to run again at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre 24-26 September 2012. For more details contact:

Garry Knespal, GASAA, garry@gasaa.asn.au, 02 8354 0602

Peter Harper, VISA, peter@visa.org.au, 02 9869 0554

Karen Spears, POPAI ,KarenS@popai.com.au, 02 9984 9322

Simon Cooper, Interpoint, scooper@intermedia.com.au, 02 8586 6105
Pin It