Visual Impact & Connect Conference: ‘It’s Showtime!’
When the sun shines, Sydney shines and even an hour before the doors officially opened on Visual Impact Expo 2026, the foreground of Sydney Showgrounds was bustling with activity. Exhibitors still fine-tuning their stands and inaugural Connect Conference delegates eager to enjoy the day’s first session.
Promising a fresh new look and feel, with busy 60+ exhibition activity swirling around The Hub, the event’s sponsors’ stands are set to dominate, including Platinum Sponsor, Roland DG (Stand A9), Gold Sponsors Graphic Art Mart (B27), Epson (D11), Mimaki (B31) and HP (A1) and Silver Sponsors Celmac (D18), SAS (B9) and Project Sirius on (I9).
Shireen Da Costa, Exhibition & Events Manager for the show’s host and organiser, Visual Connections, affirms: “Trade shows are still by far the best opportunity for business owners, operational leads and other key decision-makers to see and compare the very latest innovations, technologies and services all under one roof, and to connect with the experts to better understand how those solutions can be best applied to their own, specific business situation.”
ORAFOL Australia has reserved its sponsorship for the adjacent Connect Conference, being run in The Dome during the mornings of the expo. Alex McClelland, ORAFOL’s Executive Vice President – Asia Pacific, says: “The focus of this event aligns strongly with our own focus on innovation, partnership and social responsibility. We are fortunate to be part of a dynamic, successful, and constantly evolving industry in which technology, creativity and social responsibility work together to create long-term success.”
“We genuinely believe that a forum like this, is long overdue in our sector, and we are excited to support this new, flagship event.”
Alongside ORAFOL Australia as Premium Sponsors, Connect Conference Day One Partner Sponsors are Spicers Australia and Avery Dennison for Day Two, with ASGA also a supporting sponsor for the event.
Industry veteran and long-time friend to Image Publishing, Vernon Kingman offers a few words of wisdom to those still deciding whether to get themselves along to Visual Impact Expo: “If a trade exhibition’s main purpose is to show me the latest digital printer, I can probably see it on YouTube before I get in the car or on the plane. I can download the brochure, read the specifications, watch a demonstration and ask AI to compare it with the competition.”
“But there is something much more tangible that the internet simply can’t replicate. Standing in front of the machine. Seeing its actual size. Hearing it run. Watching the material being loaded. Examining the finished print. Feeling the substrate. Looking at the quality of the finish. And, most importantly, talking to the people who use the equipment.”
Wise words, so the advice from this editor is that this is Day One of Three, so still plenty of time for you or your colleagues to get involved.
