Page 6 - Print21 March-April 2020

Sign & Display in Focus
AT CONFERENCE
The industry is gearing up this month for the country’s inaugural sign and display conference and, with the industry facing many challenges, it’s the ideal time for businesses to come together, learn from the experts, network with their peers, and gather the information and inspiration they need to build business success.
The Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA) and FESPA Australia announced the national conference late last year, with the event to coincide with Visual Impact on the Gold Coast, from 29 April until 2 May 2020.
A SHARED VISION
The ASGA & FESPA Australia 2020 HP National Conference, supported by premier sponsor HP, will be themed A Shared Vision – Better Business Together, with a program designed to cover issues of major importance including signage compliance, sustainability and subcontracting, while leaving plenty of time to tackle important business issues like leadership, corporate culture, stress and motivation.
The conference will provide an opportunity for the industry to get together for three days of learning, development and networking at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach.
“The establishment of a national conference is a logical extension for FESPA and ASGA, and reflects the strong cooperative relationship we’ve had over many years,” Davies says.
“Both organisations are committed to building the strength of the industry, and the National Conference is an important step towards improving learning and networking opportunities for our members and the wider industry, and fostering a more coordinated industry vision,” he said, explaining that registration is open to all businesses in the sign, display, engraving, wide-format, screen and broader graphics sector.
As well as Diamond Sponsor HP, a host of industry leaders have signed up as Gold Sponsors of the Conference, including 3M, Amari, Avery Dennison, Epson, Euro Poles, FESPA, Graphic Art Mart, Hexis and the industry’s supplier organisation, Visual Connections. Silver sponsors include Adzon, Ball & Doggett, ChromaLuxe, Hosking Trade, Orafol, Sign Manufacturers’ Insurance Brokers (SMIB) and Trotec.
PACKED PROGRAM
The Conference will commence with a Welcome Cocktail Party
on the evening of Wednesday 29 April followed by two days of conference sessions on Thursday 30 April and Friday 1 May. The program – reproduced with this article – will address some of
the industry’s most pressing challenges as well as providing the opportunity for business owners and decision makers to reflect on issues which impact on business more generally.
Michael Punch, General Manager of ASGA, says sessions will feature both individual presenters and expert panels, taking visitors through everything from the latest legislative changes and hot topics like the impact of fire ratings, to the challenges
of sustainability.
“There will also be plenty of business insights, discussions on topics like leadership, digital marketing, stress and burnout, and we’re looking forward to hearing from four-time Olympian and Winter Olympic Gold Medallist, Steve Bradbury – perhaps best known as the ‘last man standing’ – with a keynote message on motivation,”
he said.
ON-SITE EXPO
Providing even more value for Conference delegates is the co- location with Visual Impact Expo, and plenty of time has been built into the program for delegates to explore what’s new at the industry’s leading sign and display expo.
This year, Visual Impact will provide a comprehensive showcase of the latest equipment, systems and solutions from leading industry suppliers including many of the Conference sponsors.
HP, the principal sponsor of both the Conference and Awards, will be joined on the expo show floor by leading names including Roland DG, Euro Poles, Hexis, Epson, Multicam, Pizitive, SALED, Spicers, Trotec, Velfex and many more.