In the print sector, the only constant is change. That makes it more important than ever to anticipate future directions and equip your business to move with the market. Day 3 of Connect Conference 2026 on Friday 4 September is designed to help you understand what’s on the horizon and ensure you are future-ready and many of the sessions will appeal to wider sectors of the industry as well as sign and graphics .
In the first session, Neil Brener, Head of Operations for out-of-home leaders JC Decaux Australia and Matt Fitzpatrick, General Manager for Signarama, one of the country’s most successful signage franchises will join Visual Connections CEO Karren Challoner-Miles to look at how businesses can successfully navigate the shift from traditional print to digital without losing sight of what still works.
As technology continues to reshape the communications landscape, this fireside chat will explore global and Australian trends, the evolving role of technology, and the opportunities for businesses to innovate, adapt and grow. From digital transformation and investment to the enduring value of classic print, the discussion will examine how organisations can embrace change while positioning themselves for long-term success in a rapidly evolving industry.
The program will then move to a broader focus on technological change, with a session exploring the vital area of cyber awareness and adaptability. In Unlock What Your Business Already Knows, former SAS Squadron Commander and Managing Director of Precisions Solutions Group Richard Williams, will discuss how trust in your systems is vital to advance your business success.
He says that for most businesses, their most valuable knowledge has never been written down. Now, for the first time, people who hold that knowledge can build with it themselves – but they must know how to unlock it safely…and why security is what let’s you say ‘yes’.
The second half of the program will commence after Morning Tea with a session looking at the Future of Signage: Manufacturing, Technology & Innovation, led by ASGA President and owner of Visual Exposure, Mick Harrold, with fellow industry experts Steve Lambourne, Director of SS Signs, Steen Zimmerman, Founder of Zimmermann Industries and Callan Laughton, Managing Director of Insigns.
From automation and robotics to additive manufacturing and AI-powered production, technology is rapidly transforming the way signs are designed, manufactured and delivered.
This panel will explore the latest innovations shaping the industry, including 3D printing, laser cutting and welding, advanced production equipment, and LEAN manufacturing systems that improve efficiency and throughput – and lead delegates on a conversation about how to embrace emerging technologies to boost productivity, remain competitive and future-proof their operations in an increasingly automated world.
The impacts of AI, and the challenges and opportunities ahead for industry businesses, will be explored in more detail in the final two sessions.
The first of these remaining sessions will be a keynote from renowned economist and former Federal minister Dr Craig Emerson, who will address the question of whether AI will strengthen printing and signage…or destroy it. The world economy has been experiencing disruption since the time of the Industrial Revolution. Our sector has experienced this in recent times with digitisation and the internet making some things obsolete while also creating new opportunities. Just two decades ago, the buzz was all about machine learning; now, it’s AI. This is your opportunity to learn what AI is set to do for, and to, printing and signage as we know it.
CSIRO Team Leader & Senior Researcher Dr Xun Li will build on the same theme, providing insights into AI That Actually Works. Explore how AI is driving practical innovation across agriculture, robotics, automation and healthcare and, through real-world case-studies, discover how AI can improve efficiency, reduce labour-intensive work, support smarter decision-making and create real-world impact. This is your chance to learn how to separate the hype from reality and identify what it takes to translate AI into practical solutions for your business.
Connect Conference Day 3 will run from 8:30AM – 1:00PM on Friday 4th September, in in Conference Hall 2A at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park. Tickets start at $249/day (including GST) and include free entry into Visual Impact Expo in The Dome next door, where some 60 exhibitors will showcase the latest innovations for the digital print, signage, display and wider visual communications sector.
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Dr Craig Emerson and Dr Xun Li will explore the impacts of AI
Tickets for Day 3 start at just $249 (GST included), or attendees can take advantage of the Special 4 for the price of 3 single ticket promotion. Click here to register for Connect Conference 2026 or find out more at visualimpact.org.au