Three leading electronic systems industry trade associations have announced the upcoming launch of shows in Europe and Asia that would address the needs of their combined constituencies in those regions. The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association® (CEDIA®), the International Communications Industries Association, Inc. ® (ICIA/InfoComm®) and the National Systems Contractors Association® (NSCA®) have formed a partnership to develop and produce joint trade exhibitions in Europe and Asia for the benefit of their respective members and industries. With a combined membership of over 5,000 companies and individuals that are located in over 60 countries, CEDIA, ICIA and NSCA are international organizations taking a bold step forward to serve all their members and the industries they represent.
In Europe, as equal equity partners CEDIA, ICIA and NSCA have determined that they will host their first European show at the GENEVA PALEXPO in Geneva, Switzerland, February 3-5, 2004. A new name and brand for the show is under development. The partners expect that the joint venture will gain rapid 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.
In Asia, CEDIA and NSCA will join with ICIA in shows conducted in Singapore and China by InfoCommAsia Pte , Ltd. (IAPL). The first combined shows will be in 2004 for InfoComm China and 2005 for InfoComm Asia, when the exhibitions are replaced with the new show name and brand as used in Europe. The addition of CEDIA and NSCA to these events will produce the same umbrella systems integration show that serves the commercial and residential market.
"This is an extremely exciting development for all our association memberships, strongly supported by our exhibiting members and boards of governors," said Billilynne D. Keller, executive director of CEDIA. "We all have a strong interest in extending our educational and marketing opportunities around the world. Together we are able to offer a significant contribution."
"CEDIA, ICIA, and NSCA are organizations that focus on serving their members and their industry segments - and they do it with a sense of mission and the pursuit of excellence," said Randal Lemke, executive director of ICIA. "We know that together we can do more than any of us can do alone. We are committed to joining with our European and Asian members and the industry to develop these shows to meet their market needs."
"Through our membership in the Electronic Systems Technician Training Consortium and the Electronic Systems Alliance, our associations have been building trust and a good working relationship over the last couple of years," said Chuck Wilson, NSCA executive director. "Since 1996 we have been searching for a good international solution and this partnership is the first thing that we think will really make a difference for our members."
"This alliance of CEDIA, ICIA and NSCA adds tremendous value to our Asia and China shows," said Nat Wong, managing director of IAPL. "We will now be able to deliver the most comprehensive solutions in the highly competitive Asian tradeshow arena. This will present global sellers a clear alternative for marketing their products, while Asian attendees will have unprecedented access not only to a multitude of products but to excellent educational opportunities as well."
The associations are pleased to announce that Geneva is the ideal central business location for a pan-European show, and the GENEVA PALEXPO is a brand new, state-of-the-art facility that will serve the unique needs of the groups' high-tech exhibitors properly. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Geneva has a reputation as one of the continent's most international and accessible hubs. The city is home to numerous international organizations, major financial institutions, and leading research centers. At the same time, Geneva is one of Europe's most intimate, warm and lively metropolises. Located within walking distance of Geneva's international airport, and within a few minutes' reach of downtown and the main train station, the GENEVA PALEXPO offers unparalleled convenience to European capitals as well as to overseas locations.
"We are very happy and proud to be chosen as the European venue for this new high-tech systems show," said Bruno Lurati, director general of the GENEVA PALEXPO. "With our long years of experience of hosting international shows on a world level - like the International Motor Show or World Telecom for instance - we will support the organizers to the maximum and we trust this event will be a great success."
A formal press conference and signing ceremony will be held on June 2 at InfoComm 2003 in Orlando, Florida. In attendance will be the executive directors of the three associations, the head of IAPL, the newly hired European managing director of the Europe show Mike Blackman, and a representative of GENEVA PALEXPO.
For all three associations, the critical components driving the initiatives are their need to replicate their standards of excellence for their existing tradeshows in the following ways:
Exhibition programs that are focused on the integration of electronic systems that define the state of the art of "Electronic LifestylesTM" 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. Tradeshow 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 clarify, however, that the alliance does not extend to the North American tradeshows conducted by CEDIA, ICIA, and NSCA, which offer the independently leading exhibitions and conferences for "Electronic LifestylesTM," "pro-audiovisual systems integration and communications," and "building connections," respectively in the U.S. 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.
Here's what some of the associations' exhibitors had to say:
"The combined expo will be a significant achievement since Europe has long needed a major exposition and educational forum that caters specifically to the audio/video installation market," said Sandy Schroeder, Shure's director of corporate market development. "With ICIA, NSCA, and CEDIA joining efforts, there is no doubt that this will be a valuable event for everyone involved in this industry. Audio/video professionals will benefit from the three organizations' individual educational tracks and the advantage of the synergy from a combined expo is extremely appealing to manufacturers."
"This partnership unites our core businesses together," said Rosanne Lang, tradeshow and advertising manager of Crestron Electronics, Inc. "It's a win-win-win for Crestron and our industry."
"We're excited by the possibilities that could come from the international show alliance between ICIA, NSCA, and CEDIA," said Chris Broome, export manager of Draper, Inc. "In today's international business climate, such cooperation is more important than ever, and Draper is looking forward to participating in the first show in Geneva next February."
The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association® (CEDIA®) is a global trade association of companies that specialize in planning and installing electronic systems for the home. These systems include home networking, home automation and communication systems, media rooms, single or multi-room entertainment systems, and integrated whole-house subsystems providing control of lighting, security and HVAC systems. The association was founded in September 1989 and has a total membership of approximately 2,200 member companies. CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this specialized field. CEDIA is a not-for-profit organization based in Indianapolis, Ind. For more information on CEDIA, visit the association's web site at www.cedia.org.
The International Communications Industries Association, Inc.® (ICIA®) is the premier trade association for the professional audiovisual communications industry. ICIA is the founder of InfoComm, the conference and trade exposition for audiovisual communications professionals who come to learn about the latest technologies and available services as well as new and alternative applications. As a key industry event, InfoComm is the educational and interactive marketplace for manufacturers, distributors, dealers, systems integrators, rental and staging companies, independent representatives, independent design consultants, architects, facilities managers, engineers, presentations designers and end users, including AV and IT professionals, sales and marketing staff, meeting planners and purchasers. InfoComm attracts a broad spectrum of market sectors, including business, government, military, education, religion, health care, entertainment and conventions. ICIA also serves its worldwide membership as the pre-eminent provider of education, training and certification for professional audiovisual systems integration and communications. ICIA has over 2,700 member companies and individuals representing tens of thousands of AV professionals. For more information on ICIA, visit the association's website at www.infocomm.org.
The National Systems Contractors Association® is the leading trade association representing the commercial electronic systems industry. With a slate of more than 2,700 member companies worldwide, the NSCA is a powerful advocate of all who work within the low-voltage industry, including systems contractors/integrators, product manufacturers, consultants, sales representatives, a growing number of architects, specifying engineers and others. The NSCA is dedicated to building connections between the people, knowledge and new ideas required to work toward the development of a more livable built environment. For more information on NSCA, visit the association's website at www.nsca.org.
A joint venture between International Communications Industries Association, Inc® and MP Asia Pte Ltd, InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd (IAPL) was formed to meet the unique needs of the Asian clients and customers in the audiovisual industry. Recently, MP Asia received the Enterprise 50 award for the second consecutive year. To date, it has organized and managed over 200 major national, regional and international events. Singapore-based IAPL is the organizer of InfoComm Asia and InfoComm China in Asia. For more information, please visit the show websites at www.infocommasia.com and www.infocommchina.com.