The AIPP’s two major annual events, the Australian Professional Photography Awards and The Nikon Event, have been combined to create INCITE, which will run in Melbourne this Saturday, August 27, for five days.INCITE, taking place at the Pullman Hotel, is packed to the rafters with more than 30 speakers and workshops, a trade show and, of course, the APPA judging that concludes with the Gala dinner party on Wednesday, August 31.

‘We know how hard it is for you to take time away from your business. We wanted to make it easier for you to be there with us and together create an image makers experience,’ the AIPP says. ‘You can expect five full days including awards, workshops, seminars, speakers and trade all in one location and we’re going to make it the biggest thing you’ve seen from us.’

The workshop/speaker schedule, running for the full five days, is largely about business.

Momento Pro is hosting a panel on photobook publishing; Michael Warshall from Nulab Pro Lab will discuss effective business, pricing and the laws of success; AIPP master, Mark Rossetto, will demonstrate how he turned his home into a studio; Kayell is hosting a fine art printing workshop; wedding videographer, Ben Amos, is sharing insight into his digital marketing strategy; and wedding photographer, Marcus Bell, along with DES will show off new and innovative products.

There’s also a strong assembly of workshops covering topics such as lighting, editorial portraiture, aerial photography, Photoshop, wedding, newborn, travel and documentary – too many to list.

These are ticketed events and registration is closed.

The trade show, running on Tuesday and Wednesday, has over 30 exhibitors consisting of major brands and specialist suppliers. On display will be a large range of professional imaging products and services.

Australia’s finest professional suppliers and retailers showing off the latest gear include CR Kennedy, DES, Camera Electronic, DES, DigiDirect, Independent Photo Supplies (IPS), Kayell, L&P, Michaels, Specular, and Ted’s Cameras.

Major brands such as Epson, Eizo, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, Leica, Lexar, Nikon, Pentax, ProPhoto, Sigma and others are also in attendance.

The remaining exhibitors are made up of professional printers, prolabs, galleries, photo album designers, educational institutes, insurance brokers, plus other businesses otherwise involved in the profession of photography.

Canon and Sony – which has just launched a local service for professionals – are notable exceptions. It appears from the AIPP material that Canon will not be supporting the AIPP’s annual event at all, after withdrawing its exclusive sponsorship of the APPAs earlier this year.

The APPA judging starts early on Saturday with Landscape, Portraiture, and Travel. On Sunday Illustrative, Family, Advertising, Commercial, Documentary, Fashion, Pet/Animal will be judged. And Monday, the final day of judging, will consist of the Wedding, Sport, Newborn, Science, Birth, and Alternative Process categories. This is subject to change and is free to attend.

The sponsors of this year’s APPAs are Leica and DigiDirect.

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