'Imaging Showcase' defies the trends

It has been said before, that the imaging industry is surprisingly recession-proof. Even with Swine flu and the poor state of the economy and accompanying negative press, the industry and the public showed up to the PMA Imaging Technology showcase in numbers as good as anything in recent memory.

The show's success was in contrast to the trend of overall declining trade show support evident in both Australia and overseas.

The success of this show illustrates the effectiveness of a not-for-profit organisation coordinating the efforts of all players in the imaging industry, to provide profits which in turn are 100 percent ploughed back into the Australian imaging markets.

To put this success in its proper context, it is important to remember that the last time the convention and trade show was held in Sydney in 2006, there were questions whether our industry could continue to support this event on an annual basis.

Overall registrations this year were well up on both last year's event in Brisbane and the last Sydney event.

With the continuing cooperation and support of PMA members we will build on this success.
Special thanks is owed to a broad group of organisations and individuals:

- The convention sponsors who enabled us to deliver world class content.
- The exhibitors who have changed a "trade show" to an "imaging entertainment event", with demonstrations, education ,"hands on" product exposure and theatre. The quality of the stand builds contributed greatly to the overall contemporary and vibrant feel of the exhibition.
- The Australian PMA member executive who provided guidance and support under chairman Richard Robertson.
- The executives of affiliated associations in AIPP, PSPA, PPFA, PIEA, ACMP and DIMA in bringing their members to the show and in organising their conventions.(Professional photographers, framers, consumers and B2B showed strong growth in numbers)
- The local team that delivered the event in Paul, Eve, Luke, Serena, David, John, Frank, Keith, Glynn and Kathy.
- Garth for helping bring over 100 Kiwis to the show
The PMA International team who provide expertise (at mainly no cost): Ted, Jim, Suzi, Stephanie, Rod and Zonnie.
- To our partners in PICA, president Dave Marshall and his executive, special thanks for strategy development and support.
- The Sydney-based retailers who helped promote the show in store and in some cases in advertising, and encouraged their customers to come along.

Our intention is to build on this success and to make PMA Melbourne in early June 2010 another benchmark.

Peter Rose,
director, Australian Activities,
PMAI

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