Peter Harper Retirement Speech - John Wall, on behalf of Visual Connections Board
29-Nov-2024The following speech was delivered by John Wall, on behalf of the Visual Connections Board, in Sydney on 28 November, 2024.
Good evening, everyone, and a warm welcome on behalf of the Visual Connections Board.
It is my job tonight to try and sum up Peter’s achievements as we wish him well on retirement…but where to start the story?
The first chapter, of Peter’s working life at least, was typical of a young Australian lad. A gap year, travels in the UK and Europe, and the opportunity to try his hand at different jobs.
It was on his return to Australia, though, that the story really takes off from our point of view. It was then that Peter joined his family company in the sign and engraving sector, where he developed a passion for our industry that has led to his illustrious career.
Over the years, through many roles and eventually as Managing Director, Peter was instrumental in introducing several innovative new technologies to Australia, but his vision for the industry was wider than one company could hold.
It was then, like the lead character in many an adventure, that Peter gathered a group of like-minded campaigners together to realise the vision of something bigger – in their case, the industry’s very first trade show and a suppliers’ association which would help guide and shape the very nature of the sector.
Many of you will know this part of the story well, and have no doubt been reminiscing about its highlights this evening.
They were brave undertakings for a small group of business owners, but their success is well documented
That initial trade show grew into the Visual Impact Expos, and association into the Visual Industries Suppliers’ Association, or VISA, which later merged with GAMAA to become Visual Connections.
It is here, that I, and many of you, come into the story.
Our hero’s achievements with Visual Connections are well documented – in fact, it is not a stretch to say he has helped to write some of the most exciting and significant chapters in the story of our industry.
Successful Visual Impact, PacPrint and PrintEx exhibitions. The ongoing strength of the Visual Impact Magazine and, later, Labels Plus. Member Meetings and Golf Days which brought our industry’s people together. Sponsorship and grants, including strong support for initiatives run by our fellow industry associations VMA, ASGA, FPLMA and LIA.
Of course, as in any good story, there have been twists and turns.
The COVID pandemic, coming hot on the heels of the Black Summer bushfires, saw events and exhibitions postponed, and normal business operations paused. This could have been the end for Visual Connections, but this is where the true nature and strength of Peter’s character really came through.
Rising to the challenges of lockdowns and travel restrictions, Peter strengthened our Register for Assistance program to connect industry businesses to support from their suppliers. He led the team to successfully deliver the world’s first virtual trade show for our sector, and a print awards program that, in the style of things to come, featured a hybrid virtual and physical event delivery that spanned five states and four time zones. Nothing short of incredible.
More importantly, Peter’s steady hand, pragmatic approach, and the support and encouragement he offered, helped keep our team, and our members, determined and resilient. We came out of COVID stronger and more committed than ever.
Since then, the achievements have kept coming. PacPrint 2022, with more than 100 exhibitors, 6500 visitors and over $50 million in sales generated. Visual Impact expos in Sydney and Brisbane. And the Sign & Print Career Connections initiative, which has evolved into a successful, collaborative program to introduce new talent to careers across the print, sign and graphics sector.
Of course, I have skipped some chapters, which are not mine to tell.
Peter’s biography is of course dominated by its other main characters – his wife, Jennifer, and their children Genevieve, Elizabeth, Simon and Adrian, who have provided the most important highlights of his story so far.
As well as support and encouragement, his family has allowed him the freedom to go above and beyond throughout his career, and in particular over the past 19 years. We thank them most sincerely, and know that they, and his six grandchildren will continue to play an important role in his story going forward.
Because, of course, this is not the end of the tale – just the conclusion of this particular chapter. Other chapters, probably the most exciting, are yet to be written, and we hope there will be many of them.
Peter, we know that you much prefer to be out of the spotlight. If you were an author, you would likely publish under a nom-de-plume to deflect attention from yourself.
To that, I say…too bad.
You have made an enormous contribution to our sector and our story, and it is fitting that we recognise your many achievements tonight.
Congratulations on all you have accomplished, and thank you for all you have given to us, personally and professionally. We will miss you, but we wish you good health and happiness as you move into the next exciting chapter.