By Angela Dorizas

SYDNEY: The PMA Australia Imaging Technology Expo will be held at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre from May 29 to June 1 and the major retailers will be there.

This year’s expo will attract professional photographers, hobbyists and major CE retailers, PMA show director, Paul Curtis, told Current.

“All the major retailers will have representatives attending this event. The photo industry moves far too quickly for anyone to turn their back on what is the largest exhibition of photo imaging equipment in the southern hemisphere.”

Retailers will have the opportunity to attend special CE sessions at the PMA conference, before sampling the latest digital cameras, camcorders, printers and camera accessories.

Conference sessions will explore current and future trends, consumer behaviour, mobile phone imaging, visual-merchandising, multi photo kiosks, printing and retail business models.

Speakers include forecaster Bernard Salt from KPMG International, Fujifilm Australia managing director, Dave Marshall, retailing expert Peter James Ryan from Red Communications, business adviser William McCurry and The Fourth Estate digital media author, Mike Walsh.

“The show, through conferencing and networking, also opens up the door to discovering new ways of doing business. If you want to make a profit out of being in imaging, this is one show you cannot afford to miss,” Curtis said.

The expo will attract 130 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors from the industry and general public. Major exhibitors include Kodak, Pentax, Nikon, Ricoh, Olympus, Fujifilm, Sony, Canon, JVC, Apple, Panasonic, Samsung, HP, Lexar and Epson.

This year’s show will also include a diverse a range of new imaging suppliers including Westwell, Massive Print and Digiframe Australia, Curtis said.

“These companies are mainly in the new fields of printing, storing and displaying images that open up new profit opportunities for retailers.”

The event will include trade presentations and software demonstrations. Attendees also have the opportunity to share an evening with a professional photographer.

Registration for the full conference is $295 for PMA members and $365 for non-members. Non-member registration includes a free 12-month trial PMA membership. Packages include morning and afternoon tea, two lunches and two cocktail parties. Daily rates are also available.

For more information visit www.pmaaustralia.com.au.