Visual Connections Australia

Discussions Over PacPrint Melbourne Dates

19-Mar-2020

Following the recent decision to postpone the major international DRUPA exhibition in Düsseldorf, organisers of PacPrint are in discussions with the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in Melbourne about the possibility of pushing back the dates for Australia’s leading show.



Messe Düsseldorf announced last week that DRUPA would be rescheduled to 10 – 20 April, 2021. This means the planned dates for PacPrint – 25-28 May, 2021 would see it follow hot on the heels of the global mega-show, potentially creating logistical challenges for exhibitors seeking to get both personnel and post-DRUPA releases to Australia in time for the Melbourne show.

“The new timing for DRUPA means that many of our exhibitors will have virtually just landed back in Australia from Germany,” says Peter Harper, CEO of Visual Connections, the supplier association which organises both PacPrint and the co-located Visual Impact and Label & Packaging expos.

“In addition, one of PacPrint’s strongest advantages has always been its timing, coming roughly one year after DRUPA. This gives exhibitors the opportunity to show DRUPA-release technologies to the Australian market at PacPrint, giving the thousands of industry people who are not able to make it to Germany a look at the latest innovations as soon as possible,” Harper says.

Harper says the Visual Connections events team is working closely with the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and local authorities in Victoria on possible options, but any decision on a date change would still be a while away.

“As you can imagine, we are far from the only event organisers who have been impacted by changes and restrictions introduced to combat the spread of the corona virus,” he points out.

“Like everyone, we are trying to be patient, flexible and responsive to the changing situation, and to act in the best interests of our members, our exhibitors and visitors, and of course the wider community.

“We have a great relationship with the team at the MCEC and they are doing their very best to work with us to establish what our options are. Rest assured, though: PacPrint Melbourne will go ahead.”