Showtime
Published: ASIA
Which upcoming trade shows are essential dates in your calendar, and which can you afford to miss? Richard Lawn investigates
Having exhibited at or attended NAMM, ISE, Pro Light & Sound Frankfurt, NAB or InfoComm this year, most industry figures are content to concentrate on sales, summer holidays and new product developments rather than worry which trade show to go to next. Traditionally, PLASA or IBC will be the next ones on the schedule. But the Asian Pacific is gearing itself up for a flurry of activity between then and now, having kicked things off already in Beijing (PALM Expo), Seoul (KOBA) and Singapore (Broadcast Asia and SLV).
PALME Asia has caught the eye this year by boldly straying off its traditional Singaporean moorings to anchor up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. IIR’s previous away days to destinations such as Hong Kong and Manila were hardly masterstrokes, but the emerging Vietnamese market has certainly caught the eye of many manufacturers, who are keen to explore new business opportunities there. Ho Chi Minh City may be the biggest city and entertainment capital in this south-east Asian country, but the real powers that be are based in Hanoi some 1,200km north.
Nevertheless, IIR claims that over 200 exhibiting and represented companies have signed up for the event that is being held between 22 - 24 July. ‘IIR hasn’t been resting on its laurels,’ commented PALME Vietnam exhibitions director Anna Cheong. ‘The PALME Vietnam Team has planned a comprehensive publicity campaign in the Vietnamese national media to ensure maximum publicity mileage for the exhibition.’ No doubt Ms Cheong and her team will be ensuring that exhibitors aren’t hampered by restrictive customs regulations, language difficulties and such like.
Broadcast Asia experienced a whopping 25 per cent decrease in visitors in 2009 and this year’s figures were on par with the previous year’s lows. The emergence of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, which recently hosted SLV, will be the new venue for the sister show, CommunicAsia in 2011, while Broadcast Asia has announced that it will be returning to Suntec City, where it was last held in 2002. The Expo will be the big loser next year during the four day event that will be staged between 21 - 24 June. Obviously market forces have dictated the changes of venue and competition in Singapore will be increasingly fierce for both the hotels and the exhibition centres now that Resort World Sentosa and Marina Bay sands have finally opened their doors.
As a prelude to IBC, BIRTV will be held at the CIEC once again in Beijing between 21-24 August. Filipinos will also get their opportunity to get hands on with pro audio, video, lighting and MI equipment at PALMM Philippines in Manila between 19-21 August. Having taken a decision to stage Integrate, largely against the wishes of most Australian suppliers who voted to not exhibit at any trade shows this year, Alchemdia Events is looking forward to increased numbers of exhibitors and attendees when it opens for business on 24 August. The Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall may be a trek from the usual setting of Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, but it is hosting a packed three day event, which is aiming to educate its attendees. InfoComm International announced an exclusive co-operative agreement with the Integrate Show in Las Vegas earlier this month and from 2011 onwards the event will be known as Integrate Expo in association with InfoComm International.
‘InfoComm International’s name is synonymous with excellence and raising standards in the A/V community around the world and so it is an honour to be so closely associated,’ commented Integrate event director Louise Brooks. ‘There’s no doubt Integrate and its supporters will benefit from this exclusive relationship as we plug into the considerable expertise and connections of such a formidable international association.’
The Shanghai Expo will still be open when Pro Light & Sound opens its doors there between 12 – 15 October. As many as 350 exhibitors have currently signed up, including pavilions, and the total exhibition area has been increased to 23,000 s-qm, reflecting exhibitor confidence in having their products exposed to domestic and international markets. Country and regional pavilions will debut this year from Korea and Taiwan, having been added to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. ‘The demand for exhibitors to join a pavilion is increasing as exhibitors recognise the value of having a prime location with prominent signage which easily attracts visitors to the pavilion,’ commented Messe Frankfurt Shanghai Deputy GM Evan Sha.
Broadcast India will once again be staged in Mumbai between 21-23 October while InfoComm Asia will follow between 17-19 November, returning to Hong Kong following an outing to Beijing in 2009. The show is predicting a significant growth in both exhibitor and visitor numbers. Following a study by InfoComm International on Global A/V Market Definition and Strategy, the Asia Pacific region has surpassed Europe as the second largest market in the world for pro A/V systems and services, accounting for 25 per cent of global sales, behind North America commanding 45 per cent market share. InterBEE will be held in Tokyo during the same dates as InfoComm Asia, after which KoSound in Seoul will be under the spotlight a week later.
It all adds up to a lot of air miles, passport stamps and customs clearances – or you can read all about them here in Pro Audio Asia or www.proaudio-central.com