News

18/9/2003

CEDIA, ICIA, NSCA promote joint Europe and Asia trade shows

CEDIA(r), ICIA(r) and NSCA(r), the three leading electronic systems industry trade associations, presented plans at the recent CEDIA Expo for their joint Europe and Asia trade shows. The shows have been branded Integrated Systems Europe, Integrated Systems Asia and Integrated Systems China.

The CEDIA press conference was given by Billilynne D. Keller, executive director of CEDIA, Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., executive director of ICIA, Chuck Wilson, executive director of NSCA, and Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Europe. They described their plans for the upcoming show at the Geneva PALEXPO in Switzerland, Feb. 3 to 5, 2004. The venue is a new, state-of-the-art facility that is particularly well suited to the needs of the high-tech exhibitors in the electronic systems industry. In addition, Geneva is a convenient, central business location expected to attract buyers.

In researching locations in Europe, the associations carefully assessed Geneva as a location that would be attractive to both exhibitors and attendees from the entire European region. At the CEDIA press conference, the directors pointed out that:

* Hotel costs in Geneva during the timeframe for ISE 04 are equal to or better than those in most major European or U.S. cities, ranging from 120 CHF (approx. $85) to 360 CHF ($257) per night.

* The timing of the first week in February works well due to the absence of other key audio, visual display or residential industry events during that timeframe.

* Geneva PALEXPO has the status of a bonded warehouse, and as such customs can be cleared directly at the Exhibition Centre. The simplest approach to customs is to use a carnet available from the local chamber of commerce, and all that is needed is an inventory attached to the required paperwork. Exhibitors are able to unload their stands and products directly upon arrival rather than waiting for a customs inspection. Shipping agents have been contracted in North America and Europe to assist exhibitors with the process.

* Visas are not needed by most Europeans and North Americans.

* Finally, Geneva is located centrally in Europe (within 500 miles of most major European cities) and is easy to reach by air, car or train.

The event is expected to attract professionals from all over Europe. Geneva's international culture is friendly to speakers of English, French, German, Italian and other languages.

The partners expect that the joint venture will gain momentum and growth because of the significant common and separate strengths the three associations bring to the table. In common, they bring a systems approach, as well as a philosophy of running the highest caliber exhibitions, education and networking activities. With NSCA's focus on integrated electronic systems for commercial construction, ICIA's on audiovisual systems integration and communications for the professional market, and CEDIA's on home networking and home automation, the associations are designing an umbrella trade event never before seen in Europe.

As of Sept. 3, over 30 exhibitors had already contracted more than 2,200 net sq. meters of exhibit space for the Geneva show. These initial exhibitors include: AV Stumpfl Corp., BARCO NV, Chief Manufacturing Inc., COMM-TEC Gmbh, Crestron International, CUE S.R.O., Da-Lite Screen Company, Inc., Electrosonic, Extron Electronics, Folsom Research Inc., Innovative Electronic Designs,Inc., Ivie Technologies, Inc., Kayye Consulting, Inc., Kramer Electronics Ltd, Lang Audiovision AG, LMG, Inc., Multi-Caisses Inc., OSI Company Limited, PCM Limited, Procon Technology, RGB Spectrum, Stardraw.com, Stewart Filmscreen Corp., Telecor, Toner Cable Equipment UK Ltd., Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation, Video Furniture International Inc., Vity Technology, and Wolfvision GmbH. In addition, more than 20 manufacturers and distributors have pending contracts and are expected to be confirmed by Oct. 1.

For all three associations, the critical components driving the initiatives are their need to replicate their standards of excellence for their existing trade shows in the following ways:

* Exhibition programs that are focused on the integration of electronic systems that define the state of the art of "Electronic Lifestyles(tm)" as pursued by CEDIA, "AV Communications" as focused upon by ICIA, and "Building Connections(tm)" which is a central theme of NSCA. The exhibitions will provide manufacturers and distributors the opportunity to conduct business with their distribution channel (contractors, systems integrators, installers, consultants, etc.), qualified specifiers that buy from the channel and professional services providers that partner with the distribution channel to serve the ultimate end user.

* Manufacturer and distributor exhibitors from CEDIA, ICIA and NSCA industry segments will be brought together on a common show floor to create a unique marketplace opportunity.

* Programs that educate the distribution channel and manufacturers on technical and business issues that they need to be successful. Trade show attendees will have unprecedented access to knowledge from leading industry professionals delivered for all levels of expertise, from basic to the most advanced.

* Networking activities in a joint congress never before provided for exhibitors, attendees and the industry as a whole to make professional connections vital to the conduct of their business in electronics systems for the professional and home markets.

* Attendee participation including industry members working on fixed installations and in the rental and staging markets. In addition participation will include highly qualified specifiers and buyers of technology solutions in the residential and commercial markets.

The associations clarified that the alliance does not extend to the North American trade shows conducted by CEDIA, ICIA and NSCA, which offer the independently leading exhibitions and conferences for "Electronic Lifestyles," "Pro-audiovisual Systems Integration and Communications" and "Building Connections," respectively in the United States. The shows in North America have served their attendees very successfully, and each has seen large growth in the last decade. There is also a clearer distinction in North America between the commercial and residential segments of the industry.

www.cedia.org
www.infocomm.org
www.nsca.org