Visual Connections: Our Board
The Visual Connections Board sets the vision and strategy for Visual Connections, ensuring the association's ongoing relevance and value to the print and graphic communications sector.
Working closely with the company's management and staff, the Directors are responsible for delivering on the company's mandate: To contribute to a sustainable future by supporting our members - the industry's suppliers - and the wider sector, through initiatives including Education, Exhibitions, Sponsorship, Grants and Networking Opportunities.
The Board is comprised of eight Directors who are voluntary individuals from member companies. The Board is elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting in November each year. Expressions of interest in joining the Board and sub-committees are most welcome - to find out more about nominating yourself or a colleague, please contact Peter Harper
Meet the Directors
President | Mitchell Mulligan - Managing Director, Böttcher Australia
"Visual Connections provides the suppliers of our industry with a unique opportunity to speak with a united voice and make a well-considered and meaningful contributions to the industry. As suppliers, I believe we have a responsibility to our customers to ensure we engage with them and identify ways to maximise our contribution to their businesses, be that through education, best practice information, or new ideas and technologies. Visual Connections provides a platform for us to pursue such endeavours in a unified way, with tools like trade shows, conferences & seminars. For me, being on the Board is the optimal way to give back and contribute to the future of our industry."
"I believe that having a strong, representative voice at association level is vitally important for both industry businesses and for suppliers, and am delighted to add a representative voice for the local, family-owned businesses who play such an important role in our industry. As someone who has been involved in this diverse sector for many years, I have seen and appreciated the work Visual Connections has done with expos, events and education - a subject I consider particularly important - and the way they cooperate so closely with other industry associations to drive benefits for both suppliers and consumers. I look forward to working with the Board and the operational team to continue that united front, in the strong belief that working together on projects which benefit all is the best way to build a strong and successful industry into the future."
Treasurer | John Wall, Managing Director - Roland DG
"Visual Connections plays a vital role as an industry sounding board, where needs and requirements can be addressed on a level playing field. It has long provided the best industry market material, trade shows and events and I think recent achievements in consolidating associations and events planning have been very important. Sitting on the Board is a great way to get an elevated view and understanding of the sector and where my own company fits, to network with others, and to give back to an industry which welcomed me from outside, allowed me to provide - and receive - support and knowledge, and showed a level of acceptance which is wonderful to reflect on. While it's hard work, I'd recommend anyone who enjoys a challenge and making a contribution actively look into it. New blood equals new ideas and perspectives - and every association needs that, to prevent us just doing what's easy and comfortable."
Director | Ian Martin - General Manager - Trade, Ferag Australia
"Our industry is so diverse, it needs an association to represent the multiple suppliers who service it; this is where Visual Connections provides important guidance and a single voice, as well as initiatives from exhibitions to helping develop career paths for school leavers. You only get back what you put in, and being on the Visual Connections Board gives me the chance to influence and contribute to an industry which has provided me with a career across the world."
Director | Russell Cavenagh - Managing Director, Mutoh Australia
"The Visual Connections board is a valuable industry association that is closely tied to the day-to-day activities, and challenges, for our vibrant visual communications industries. It provides an open forum for frank discussion, strategy development, and event planning to provide economic benefit to the industry, its participants, and the associated businesses. Being a board member allows me to contribute based on 30+ years of industry experience, watching emerging industry trends, seeing new opportunities and challenges develop, and helping shape industry directions to meet those challenges, plan and create educational opportunities to take full advantage of these emerging trends. Via subcommittees, the Visual Connections board also actively seeks broader representation and input from the design, print, sign, and packaging sectors so it can hear their unique, and often competing, requirements in a forum where collectively they can achieve a greater perspective to their benefit."
Director | Mark Canavan - Marketing & Vendor Relations Manager at Graphic Art Mart
“Over many years, Visual Connections has played an important role in providing support and direction to suppliers to the print and graphic communications industry. It also provides a platform for open discussion and dialogue relating to best practices in our industry. In an ever evolving and fast paced industry, we are able to take advantage of a wide range of expertise and experience to support members and customers. We are committed to education and the development of young talent in the industry, which in turn drives innovation and sustained growth and success. Being a supplier to the industry for over 25 years in a variety of roles, I have personally seen the support Visual Connections has provided. I am excited to be part of the board and hope to offer my direction and experience in order to support the suppliers we represent.”.
Director | Luke Wooldridge - National Product Manager, HVG Graphics Media
"It is a pleasure to be part of a motivated and talented board that is willing to take off our 'competitors hats' and work together to help present quality trade shows, educational and networking events that help achieve the association's goals of advancing and promoting the printing, signage and visual communications sectors.
Director | Alex McLelland - Managing Director, ORAFOL Australia
The Visual Connections board has been a valuable, consistent, and influential part of the industry for many years. We are fortunate to be part of a dynamic, successful, and constantly evolving entity in which technology and creativity work in tandem. The association provides a forum for open discussion, industry participation and the focus on emerging trends here in the region as well as globally. Visual Connections is very cognisant of the increasing need for suppliers and manufacturers to lead the way by providing a channel for the development and education of new talent to take the industry into the future After many years in the industry here in Australia and in the UK, I am pleased to be a member of the Board and hope I can contribute my experience and support to assist in sustaining the growth. Now is the time to inspire contribution, influence, and innovation for our incredible industry.
