Three leading electronic systems industry trade
associations announced today 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” 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 is 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
t
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.
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