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Associations Focus: Exhibitions…Continued

Industry expos—reviewed and anticipated.

Associations Focus: Exhibitions…Continued

Apr 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Industry expos—reviewed and anticipated.

NSCA

InfoComm International

CEDIA

NSCA

HIGHLIGHTS OF NSCA EXPO 2007

In mid-March, systems integrators, consultants, designers, manufacturers, and allied professionals rolled into Orlando, Fla., for the NSCA’s annual expo, which this year brought the latest technologies, a trove of educational opportunities, and much more to the Orange County Convention Center.

On the main show floor, 400 exhibitors launched more than 1,000 new products. The Digital Signage Showcase, marking its return to the show with hands-on demonstrations of new business development and other skills required to serve an expanding market, was joined by the new Intelligent Buildings Showcase to further broaden attendees’ show-floor experience. Exploring the implications and dynamics of how IP-based services impact cost, construction, and management of next-generation commercial structures, the Intelligent Buildings Showcase used dedicated stations to effectively demonstrate the latest technologies holding promise for today’s generation of “smart” buildings. Also new this year: a special Tools of the Trade area that permitted the makers of the newest and most innovative tools to display them in a dedicated section that was accessible and easy to navigate.

Although final, vital statistics gathered at the show were still flowing in at press time, the NSCA was proud to reveal to Sound & Video Contractor just prior to press time that the average buyer at this year’s expo purchases more than $2.1 million worth of products for resale annually.

EXPANDED EDUCATION

Attendees have traditionally flocked to the expo for two main reasons. First, to view the latest the industry has to offer in terms of products, and second, for the expo’s continuing educational opportunities. Indeed, while the show floor hummed with activity this year, badged visitors gathered to take advantage of the opportunity to earn more than 420 Learning Units (LUs) through classes providing 550 hours of industry education. Courses covered everything from business topics and project management to system design and legal matters. The expo curriculum was further enhanced by behind-the-scenes technology tours at a new 1,375-acre town center development in nearby Altamonte Springs, Fla., and at the First Baptist Church of Orlando.

In a sweeping show of support of the NSCA’s continuing education efforts, manufacturers at this year’s expo contributed generously to the NSCA Education Foundation, with QSC Audio Products giving $25,000, and the Harman Pro Group chipping in $50,000. Atlas Sound wrote a check for $12,500 for the raffle, and Middle Atlantic Products was the founding sponsor of the sold-out Jason Perlman Memorial Golf Tournament. Joining forces, Shure and Atlas Sound additionally sponsored a program offering to match gifts at a rate of up to 50 percent. The putting challenge, sponsored by Bosch Communications Systems, and the silent auction also raised tidy sums.

“I can’t express enough gratitude to everyone who turned out to lend us support,” says Melissa Henderson, the managing director of the NSCA Education Foundation. “Those who gave so generously have definitely done quite a bit to help us offer even more courses and build an even healthier industry.”

Off the show floor and outside the 14 audio demo rooms, attendees also proved that they could cut loose. They inundated this year’s ExpoJam! at the Rosen Centre to hear The Commitments deliver some unforgettable Dublin soul, and reveled with the Drunk Unkles at Orlando venue Howl at the Moon. Featuring a gallery of faces familiar to many within the industry, the Drunk Unkles and their all-star blues review played to a packed house to benefit the NSCA Education Foundation.

MAKING A MOVE

Meanwhile, NSCA Executive Director Chuck Wilson announced at the event that the show will move to Dallas in 2008, instead of occupying the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), as originally planned.

“The move was dictated by the LVCC’s decision to reduce meeting room space in the hall available to us,” Wilson says. “By moving to the Lone Star state, the expo will take advantage of expanded space at the Dallas Convention Center to introduce several new events within a single building technology conference co-located within its own aisles and hallways. Dallas, with its dynamic consultant and architectural communities, is the perfect place to unveil all that we’ll have to offer.”

For all those bemoaning the move away from Las Vegas in 2008, fear not: Beginning with Expo 2009, the show will return to Sin City and its normal pattern of cross-country migration between Florida and Nevada.

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Associations Focus: Exhibitions…Continued

Apr 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Industry expos—reviewed and anticipated.

NSCA

InfoComm International

CEDIA

INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL

INFOCOMM 07 REGISTRATION OPENS

InfoComm 07 is already bigger than last year’s record-setting professional audio-visual show. InfoComm 07, with more than 450,000 net square feet of paid exhibit and special-event space, is expected to have more than 800 exhibitors being visited by 28,000 commercial AV professionals, technology managers, chief information officers, and procurement personnel from 80 countries. More than 240 education sessions will be offered.

“Attending InfoComm’s tradeshow is a valuable investment in both time and money,” says Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., executive director, InfoComm International. “In just a few days you can visit the most comprehensive array of professional audio, digital signage, display, conferencing, lighting, control system, and signal distribution technology manufacturers available in one location, all while receiving world-class education and training from leading experts and manufacturers.”

InfoComm is rapidly becoming known as the leading exposition for professional audio systems integration. The show features 250 audio exhibitors, audio demo rooms featuring more than 20 leading audio brands, and 30 professional audio application and technology classes. Advanced training from Syn-Aud-Con and courses on EASE and CobraNet make InfoComm 07 the event audio pros need to attend this year. Attendees can also participate in a hands-on AV-IT class designed to bridge the gap between AV and IT workers, and the only AV-specific project management training with Microsoft Project training.

More than 13,000 dealers, systems integrators, live-event producers, and other commercial audiovisual professionals are expected to attend InfoComm 07. More than 7,000 technology managers responsible for purchasing products and 1,200 manufacturers are also anticipated.

Pavilions make the large floor easy to navigate. In addition to the Audio Pavilion, Digital Signage, Lighting and Staging, Digital Content Creation, Unified Collaborative Conferencing, Technologies for Worship, and EduComm pavilions will be featured.

InfoComm 07 will take place June 15-21 at California’s Anaheim Convention Center. Exhibit space at InfoComm is in such high demand that another hall has been opened for exhibitors and special events, such as HD conferencing demonstrations, a Digital Signage Application Showcase, and more. Interested exhibitors are encouraged to call InfoComm’s Exhibition Sales at (703) 273-7200 today.

Barco, Bosch Communications, Crestron Electronics, Extron Electronics, and Sony Electronics are platinum show sponsors. Gold show sponsors include Christie Digital and Tandberg. For more information or to register, please visit www.infocommshow.org.

For more information about InfoComm International, visitinfocomm.org.

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Associations Focus: Exhibitions…Continued

Apr 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Industry expos—reviewed and anticipated.

NSCA

InfoComm International

CEDIA

CEDIA

THE TIME HAS ARRIVED

Believe it or not, the time has arrived for CEDIA’s 2007 Electronic Lifestyles Expo. This show will be held April 18-21 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center and Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

CEDIA’s Electronic Lifestyles Expo is the opportunity to reach a diverse, up-and-coming industry audience. In addition to bringing together architects, builders, interior designers, and residential electronic systems contractors (RESC), this show provides access to gateway professionals who are crossing over to the electronic systems industry.

NEW FEATURES

Two-day Tradeshow: A jam-packed tradeshow floor (April 20-21) features the most up-to-date, cutting-edge products and technologies from the exhibitors.

Electronic Lifestyles Forum: Designed for architects, builders, interior designers, and electronic systems contractor owners and managers, the event offers panel discussions, networking events, and courses that provide AIA learning units, ASID continuing education units, and CEDIA CEUs.

CEDIA University: Education for electronic systems technicians and designers and newcomers to the industry, featuring CU On the Road.

Gateway: Education for industry rookies and those individuals looking to transition into an electronic systems contracting career.

Register at www.cedia.net/elforumexpo.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE CHALLENGE?

The deadline’s fast approaching. The Electronic Lifestyles Designers’ and Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards are highly sought after in the industry, and with higher standards being put in place each year, the competition is tough.

Be recognized as one of the best: Technical expertise, performance, overall planning — these three characteristics are essential to enter and win the 2007 Electronic Lifestyles Designers’ Awards competition. Don’t miss your opportunity to be recognized as among the best. Enter in any of the following categories:

  • Best Large Home Theater
  • Best Media Room
  • Best Small Home Theater
  • Best Special Project
  • Best Theme Theater
  • Best Hidden Installation
  • Best Integrated Home
  • Best Dressed System

MEASURING UP

Does your new product enhance the business of a residential electronic systems contractor (ESC)? Are you ready to put your products to the test? If so, then enter CEDIA’s Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards competition for a chance to win a 2007 Best New Product award.

The key criterion in this category is that these products provide enhancement in some way. An award-winning product could be a revolutionary new technology, a software program that allows an ESC’s business to run more efficiently, a widget that makes a technician’s life less stressful, or anything in between.

Electronic Systems Contractor of the Year: Received by the member that exemplifies CEDIA in the areas of company structure, professionalism, profitability, growth, recognition in the industry, service to the industry, service to the community, and overall success.

Electronic Systems Technician of the Year: Received by the individual technician who exemplifies a strong work ethic, has the desire to further his or her education in the electronic systems industry, and goes the extra mile to make the industry the driving force in cutting-edge technology.

Deadlines for Entry: Designers’ Awards, May 4 at 5 p.m. PDT; Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards, May 11 at 5 p.m. PDT; Electronic Systems Contractor of the Year, June 1 at 5 p.m. PDT; Electronic Systems Technician of the Year, June 1 at 5 p.m. PDT.

Do you have what it takes? Updated guidelines and the online application system are now available. Visit www.cedia.org/awards or contact Kathryn Schenk at (800) 669-5329 or [email protected] for more information.

For more information on CEDIA, visitwww.cedia.orgor call (800) 669-5329.

CEDIA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 10-11

Designer Review Boot Camp
AVAD — Smyrna, Ga.

April 12

Designer Exam
AVAD — Smyrna, Ga.

April 13

Electronic Lifestyles Expo Online
Registration Ends

April 17

Installer Level I Review and Exam
ADI — Rochester, N.Y.

April 18-21

Electronic Lifestyles Expo
Sands Expo and Convention Center and Venetian Hotel — Las Vegas

April 19

Installer Level I Review and Exam
ADI — Milford, Conn.

April 25-27

Integrated Systems China
Beijing

April 27-30

CU On the Road
Calgary, Alberta

For a complete list of CEDIA events, please visit www.cedia.org/calendar.

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