25 years ago, the finishing touches were being applied to Melbourne's new Southbank Exhibition Centre, readying it for its first major exhibition in May of that year - PakPrint 96, whick took up all 30,000 square metres of what became known as 'Jeff's Shed' after then Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett. In Just 8 months, PacPrint 2021 (with a 'c') will open its doors.
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| Copy of first issue of 'PakPrint Countdown' while the MEC - Jeff's Shed - was under construction |
Trade shows and other events are sparking to life again at Melbourne's post-lockdown Melbourne Exhibition & Conference Centre. The Gift & Lifestyle Fair opens on March 22nd, followed by a series of events up to August when the Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo in August - with Minuteman Press, MBE and Signarama confirmed as exhibitors. The following month from September 28th, PacPrint is on for four days.
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| Completed MEC taken on first day of PakPrint '96 |
As reported here, the Visual Connections and PVCA associations have strengthened their partnership as co-owners of PacPrint, with a 'c' as it is now called.
Boosted by the 50% of cost Government stimulus package to get the exhibitions & event industry going again (in normal times business events contribute around $24 billion to Australia's GDP); exhibitors are frantically getting their applications in to receive half of their overall costs of exhibiting at Pacprint covered by the grant.
PacPrint 2021 is actually three shows in one, with Visual Impact and the Label & Packaging show under the same roof.
While exhibitors are rushing to secure space, visitors can register already and receive regular updates over the next 8 months.
Just as the resplendant MEC emerged from a muddy hole-in-the-ground 25 years ago, PacPrint 2021 will be back in September, which is also a lovely time of the year to be in the garden city of Melbourne. You can register now!
