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Executive Update August 2007
In the AV industry and in other elements of the technology sector there has been much talk of convergence. Today I want to discuss a different type of convergence that promises to bring great opportunities and savings to the AV industry. After several years of discussions, InfoComm International and the National Systems Contractors Association have jointly decided to consolidate the leading industry events for both the professional AV and electronics systems industry.
As part of this consolidation, the NSCA Expo will now become part of InfoComm’s annual tradeshow. In 2008 NSCA will discontinue its show and hold its usual Expo events at a pavilion on the InfoComm 08 show floor in Las Vegas. NSCA is also transferring its ownership interest in Integrated Systems Europe to the remaining partners. The ISE event will continue to serve our European members as it has since we started it.
Why would InfoComm want to tinker with its existing formula for a successful tradeshow? The latest statistics from NSCA indicate that over 78% of the attendees and 80% of the exhibitors plan to also participate in InfoComm. This trend has been building in this direction for the past five years. The leadership of both organizations, after analyzing the statistics, decided that it was time to address this issue head-on.
These changes have been made with you in mind. We are fortunate that the AV industry has been robust for the past several years. InfoComm’s Market Definition and Strategy Study recently found that the professional AV industry generates $25 billion in revenue per year in North America alone. This boom is leaving industry players busier than ever. By consolidating our tradeshows, exhibitors will no longer have to invest in developing booths for two similar shows held just weeks apart, and attendees can enjoy one show with a full array of AV technology solutions. The best of both events is coming together.
As we were analyzing this change, we also decided to consolidate our business conferences. As a result, InfoComm has decided to suspend its Executive Business Conference and instead become a sponsor of NSCA’s. Again, we see little utility in asking the industry to choose between events with similar goals.
The leadership of NSCA and InfoComm also decided to look for new ways to work cooperatively to accomplish the goals of the industry. As a result we have decided to put together a new fall event designed to train technicians, installers, and design and sales personnel. This exclusive trade-only event will feature education programs from NSCA University and the InfoComm Academy, certification activities, as well as tabletop exhibits and manufacturer training. NSCA TechWeek, sponsored by InfoComm, will be a trade-only, exclusive event. There is a huge demand for industry education and the TechWeek concept allows us to bring that education closer, and more often, to all who need it in an affordable way.
For many years NSCA and InfoComm have worked both independently and together to promote a stronger industry. Sometimes we have approached industry challenges in different ways, however, our boards have always sought to capitalize on opportunities to work together whenever possible. At InfoComm we will strive to honor NSCA’s rich heritage, and welcome both InfoComm and NSCA members to participate in these new activities. Working together there is no limit to what we can achieve.
