The U.S. Department of Commerce has selected InfoComm International Conference and Exposition to participate in its International Buyer Program (IBP) for InfoComm 2005, to be held June 4-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
InfoComm International, the largest conference and exhibition for the information communications and audiovisual systems industry, earned the Department of Commerce support on the basis of the Show's export potential, international interest, U.S. exhibitor offerings, stature, exhibitor interest, overseas marketing efforts, logistics support and willingness to fulfill the program's goals. In 2004--a year in which numerous tradeshows saw a downturn in attendance--InfoComm broke numerous records for attendance and exhibitor participation. Close to 23,000 professionals from more than 75 countries attended for an increase of 16% over 2003, while 647 information communications companies (including 180 new to the Show) exhibited, for an increase of 15.3% over 2003.
InfoComm International and its sister tradeshows around the world are supported as the leading B-to-B marketplace for display, projection, audio, videoconferencing, Internet streaming and networked presentation and communications systems by companies including Bose, Canon, Hitachi, HP, JBL, JVC, Meyer Sound, Mitsubishi, NEC, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Polycom, Samsung, Sanyo, Sharp, Shure, Sony, Tandberg, Telex, and Yamaha. As an indication of the growing strength of this $19 billion North American market, the annual tradeshow was rated #5 by Expo Magazine and Exhibit Surveys this year for attendee buying power among leading technology shows. Attendees include systems integrators and design consultants, as well as professional end user buyers in corporate, government, military, education, worship, healthcare and numerous other markets.
"Our goal to serve as a conduit for international business in the information communications arena has received a significant boost from the U.S. Department of Commerce," said Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., Executive Director of InfoComm and the International Communications Industries Association (ICIA), founder of the Show. "This initiative, together with our offices and shows around the world, enables us to continue to support the vitality of our industry and our members."
The IBP brings international buyers together with U.S. firms by promoting leading U.S. tradeshows in industries with high export potential. Emphasizing cooperation between the DOC and tradeshow organizers, the program seeks to benefit U.S. firms exhibiting at events such as InfoComm and provides practical, hands-on assistance such as export counseling and market analysis to U.S. companies interested in exporting.
The DOC United States and Foreign Commercial Service will promote the Show worldwide to potential international buyers, end users, representatives and distributors. This worldwide promotion will be executed through the offices of the Commercial Service in 74 countries representing America's major trading partners and also in U.S. Embassies in countries where the Commercial Service does not maintain offices.
International Buyer Program shows, like InfoComm, are tasked by the DOC to provide a venue for U.S. companies to expand their sales into the international market. InfoComm supports international efforts through a variety of initiatives, including offices in Europe, Asia and Australia, three tradeshows in addition to InfoComm held in Europe, Singapore and China, membership, education and certification services worldwide, and continuous investment in international programs.
About InfoComm/ICIA
InfoComm/International Communications Industries Association, Inc. is the premier trade association for the professional audiovisual communications industry. InfoComm International is renowned worldwide as the best platform for discovering new information communications technologies and services as well as their applications in the commercial marketplace. InfoComm International offers over 300 courses annually to AV professionals as well as to end users and IT managers and decision makers around the world. InfoComm/ICIA serves its worldwide membership of more than 3000 companies representing tens of thousands of technology professionals, as the pre-eminent provider of AV education, training and certification. More information about InfoComm, InfoComm International, and Integrated Systems shows offered by InfoComm around the world, is available at www.infocomm.org.