Inaugural InfoComm China Draws Enthusiasm
Feb 1, 2002 12:00 PM
InfoComm China, launched in July 2001, now has more than 95% of its 6000-square-meter exhibition space reserved by a total of 44 companies representing 13 economies. The exhibition debuts in Shanghai on May 9. Showcasing the communication industry’s latest innovations in audio, video, presentation, projection, multimedia and interactive conferencing, the exhibition will include many established industry companies such as Barco, Christie Digital, Crestron, Da-Lite, Draper, Epson, Extron, Fujitsu, InFocus, Mitsubishi, NEC, Sanyo, Sony and Toshiba.
People Are Buzzing…
“We have participated in all of the InfoComm shows with great success. China is an important market for [us]. We believe that our participation will [be] a unique opportunity,” said Judith Loughran, senior vice president of Da-Lite Screen Company. Sandy Tai, assistant marketing manager of Crestron Asia Limited concurred, “InfoComm is an important platform for us to introduce new products and developments to dealers, partners and customers.”
Shanghai is at the center of the country’s new trade and investment opportunities. Joining the WTO opened many doors, and staging the 2008 Olympic Games will give the country a further boost. As the nation prepares to host the world games, there is an urgency to modernize and upgrade its telecommunications, presentation equipment, etc.
InfoCommASIA is organizing the trade show. Managing director Nat Wong said, “The launch of InfoComm China…is a natural progression for us in recognizing China’s growing importance to the communications industry. The rewards are plentiful for those who successfully position themselves to the vast Chinese market.”
New Distance-Learning Courses for A/V Technicians
Partnering with seven colleges, ICIA and its sister organization, the Educational Communications Foundation, have launched the A/V-Asynchronous Learning Network, an innovative Web-based A/V curriculum. The first four courses (of eight total) are now fully developed, and the partner colleges are enrolling students. The instructional, technical and advising systems are being provided online.
Industry, Government and Colleges Unite
In 1997, the ECF and ICIA joined numerous community colleges across the United States to organize the National Partnership for Workforce Development. The AV-ALN is a project of this partnership, funded by a grant to ECF of $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Education by the Learning Anyplace Anytime Partnerships unit of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.
The Dallas County Community College District is currently providing the platform for the first four courses open for registration. In the beta test, laboratories located at A/V communication dealers’ offices in cities within driving distance of enrolled students are being used to provide the hands-on component of the courses. Industry partners provide equipment and the facility for students to perform self-guided laboratory exercises designed and supervised by the colleges.
Northern Virginia Community College is serving as the lead institution to develop learner-support services that supplement the seven partners’ local services.
Become a Part of It
As an ICIA member, you can play a role in this project by raising awareness among your employees and interns, and by encouraging or sponsoring selected individuals to register for the first four courses now available. If there is a community college in your area, you can use this curriculum to create educational opportunities and internships.
ICIA is happy to arrange for the courseware to be licensed and offered by your local college partner. For further information, visit icia.org/ecf/projects/avaln/ and look for the project’s evolving Web site at avaln.org.
