Visitor attendance to last week's Auspack was down nine per cent in comparison to the previous Sydney event in 2005. However the Australian Packaging Machinery Association (APMA) and organisers have dubbed Auspack 09 a success given the turbulent financial climate.
According to Rob Keen, event director, many trade shows that ran this year have reported their visitor attendance to be down by 20-25 per cent. He adds the result delivered by Auspack, with less than a nine per cent decrease, may be an indication that things are beginning to improve.He says, “Auspack delivered a quality industry audience, with a number of new companies attending, and even the well seasoned exhibitors admitting they had the opportunity to meet many new visitors during the four-day exhibition.”
It was reported that a number of new projects were discovered by the exhibitors and many new visiting companies were able to see, discuss and compare solutions for their projects on the spot - as were veteran visitors to the show.
During the show, future projects and the purchasing of equipment were being confirmed immediately on-site, as well as during business meetings in the evenings, according to organisers.
Keen continues, “From an organiser’s perspective, and considering that other trade shows this year have experienced visitor attendances to be down by 20 to 25 per cent, we are very pleased that the 217 exhibiting companies have left the exhibition content with the quality of the leads they were able to qualify.”
