ISE attracts record attendance and looks forward to largest-ever show in 2015

On-site exhibitor rebooking levels confirm business value of 2014 show’s 50,000-plus attendees After attracting more than 50,000 registered attendees for the first time in its history from 4–6 February, Integrated Systems Europe has further cemented its reputation as the world’s most popular event for professional AV and electronic systems integration.

The final total attendance of 51,003 surpassed even the organisers’ own most optimistic expectations, with Europe’s recovering economies and a record 952 exhibitors helping to fuel attendee growth of 15% over last year’s figure of 44,151. Also acting as key draws to the event were an enlarged Professional Development programme including off-floor training sessions hosted by ISE’s co-owners CEDIA and InfoComm International, with both associations also contributing seminars to the event’s new on-floor Theatres dedicated to Residential and Commercial Solutions. Between them these sessions attracted over 2,400 people, with InfoComm experiencing an almost three-fold increase in its education traffic over 2013 after offering free session vouchers to every 2014 attendee.

“ISE 2014’s pre-show events programme included the third edition of the Smart Building Conference, the all-new Investor Showcase and Audio Forum, and an Opening Keynote Address, ‘Kick-Starting the Market for Building Automation’, by Cisco’s Dr Dirk Schlesinger. Between them these events attracted a further 1,000 attendees, with hundreds more also signing up for partner events during the show such as the SVGE’s Sport Facility Integration Summit, digital-signage market briefings and tours from Invidis Consulting and the Themed Entertainment Association tour.

Mike Blackman, Managing Director, Integrated Systems Events, says: “Our big theme this year was content, and we believe we have delivered on our promise to enhance our event – and attract more attendees – by offering a combination of technical training,market intelligence, real-world case studies and networking opportunities that is unmatched by any comparable event in Europe.” While the show’s attendance continues to rise impressively, there has been no dilution in the spending power of ISE’s visitors if the show’s exhibitor rebooking trend is anything to go by. By the time the doors closed on Thursday 6 February, on-site rebooking for ISE 2015 stood at 33,450 net square metres, compared with the 2014 show’s total net footprint of 36,035.

The rebooking figure is 10% higher than the equivalent a year ago. “By all standards of measurement, ISE 2014 was extraordinarily successful,” comments David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD, Executive Director and CEO, InfoComm International. “It was a great way to kick off the industry calendar, and a spectacular way to begin InfoComm International’s 75th year. What started out as a small show in Geneva 11 years ago has blossomed into a truly thriving event. That first ISE was an important early step in our association’s journey beyond its US borders, but would be largely unrecognisable to this year’s ISE attendees.” “ISE 2014 was phenomenal in every respect,” echoes Wendy Griffiths, Executive Director, CEDIA Region 1.

“This year’s event demonstrated outstanding international growth and CEDIA benefited hugely from this success. More CI companies became CEDIA members at the show than ever before, every CEDIA session in the new ISE Residential Solutions Theatre was jam-packed and CEDIA training courses available off the show floor were also well-attended.”

The next Integrated Systems Europe will take place at the Amsterdam RAI from 10–12 February 2015. Additional information is available from: Dan Goldstein, ISE Director of Marketing & Communications, dgoldstein@iseurope.org About CEDIA: CEDIA is an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home. The association was founded in September 1989 and has more than 3,500 member companies worldwide. CEDIA Members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this specialized field.

For more information on CEDIA, visit: www.cedia.org or www.cedia.co.uk. About InfoComm International®: InfoComm International® is the international trade association of the professional audiovisual and information communications industries. Established in 1939, InfoComm has 5,000 members, including manufcturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, independent consultants, programmers, rental and staging companies, en-users and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries.

InfoComm International is the leading resource for AV market research and news. Its training and education programs set a standard of excellence for AV professionals. InfoComm International is the founder of InfoComm, the largest annual conference and exhibition for AV buyers and sellers worldwide.

Smart Building Conference brand to expand with four events in 2014-15

The Smart Building Conference – a joint venture of InfoComm International and CEDIA – is to expand significantly in the coming months with the staging of four events addressing some of Europe’s most energetic markets for audiovisual technology and systems integration. Conference organiser Integrated Systems Events, the company responsible for the globally acclaimed ISE trade show, has announced a schedule that will see the SBC stop off in London, Berlin and Milan this coming autumn, before returning to Amsterdam for ISE 2015 next February. Mike Blackman, Managing Director, Integrated Systems Events, comments: “After successfully staging SBC events at the last two ISE shows and in London last October, we believe the time is right to roll out the Smart Building Conference brand across Europe. Our strategy will be for our three events this autumn to have local content tailored to each country’s regional market, while next year’s Amsterdam SBC will serve as the brand’s international meeting point.”

To this end, content for the SBC events in London, Berlin and Milan is being produced in close consultation with local partners in each country, while Conference proceedings in the three cities will be conducted in English, German and Italian, respectively. As in previous years, the Amsterdam programme will be conducted in English. Content for all four events is being managed by Agata Pawlik, newly recruited Conference Manager at Integrated Systems Events.

Fluent in four languages including German and Italian, Pawlik has over a decade of experience in B2B conference production in Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Pawlik is to be supported by ISE’s International Sales Manager Elisabeth Kondakow, who will look after sponsorship sales, and by new recruit Ilona Jacobi, who will assist with marketing and logistics in addition to performing similar duties for the Amsterdam show. Bob Snyder, Editor-in-Chief of Channel Media Europe and the moderator at all three SBC events so far, will continue in the role in London and Amsterdam, with local-market MCs being sought for Berlin and Milan.

The full SBC schedule and venue listing is as follows: Tuesday 7 October 2014 – Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London Thursday 6 November 2014 – Mövenpick Hotel, Berlin Tuesday 18 November 2014 – nhow Hotel, Milan Monday 9 February 2015 – RAI, Amsterdam The London, Berlin and Amsterdam events will both feature parallel tracks for residential and commercial building applications, with the first two also offering the option of full-day workshops at additional cost - the day after the SBC in London, the day before in Berlin.The Milan event takes place in the same week as the SIEC industry gathering at which both CEDIA and InfoComm are expected to offer additional industry training and networking opportunities.

“In all cases, the Smart Building Conference will focus on content of the highest quality and integrity, with best-practice presentations and panel discussions giving delegates the insight they need to make the most of the intelligent building revolution,” Blackman continues.

“Our venues have been carefully selected to offer a comfortable, businesslike environment in which speakers, partners, sponsors and delegates alike can enjoy networking and the exchange of information. With our joint-venture owners CEDIA and InfoComm International both contributing their expertise to the programme in all four of our locations, we are confident that the Smart Building Conference brand is set for a year of substantial growth.”

Contact:
http://www.smartbuildingconference.com