Three Associations to Launch Joint Europe, Asia Shows

Three electronic systems industry trade associations announced theupcoming launch of shows in Europe and Asia that would address theneeds of their combined constituencies in those regions. The CustomElectronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), theInternational Communications Industries Association, Inc.(ICIA/InfoComm) and the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA)have formed a partnership to develop and produce joint tradeexhibitions in Europe and Asia for the benefit of their respectivemembers and industries. With a combined membership of over 5,000companies and individuals that are located in over 60 countries, CEDIA,ICIA and NSCA are international organizations taking a bold stepforward to serve all their members and the industries theyrepresent.

In Europe, as equal equity partners CEDIA, ICIA and NSCA havedetermined that they will host their first European show at the GENEVAPALEXPO in Geneva, Switzerland, February 3-5, 2004. A new name andbrand for the show is under development. The partners expect that thejoint venture will gain rapid momentum and growth because of thesignificant common and separate strengths the three associations bringto the table. In common, they bring a systems approach, as well as aphilosophy of running the highest caliber exhibitions, education, andnetworking activities. With NSCA’s focus on integrated electronicsystems for commercial construction, ICIA’s on audiovisualsystems integration and communications for the professional market, andCEDIA’s on home networking and home automation, the associationsare designing an umbrella trade event never before seen in Europe.

In Asia, CEDIA and NSCA will join with ICIA in shows conducted inSingapore and China by InfoCommAsia Pte , Ltd. (IAPL). The firstcombined shows will be in 2004 for InfoComm China and 2005 for InfoCommAsia, when the exhibitions are replaced with the new show name andbrand as used in Europe. The addition of CEDIA and NSCA to these eventswill produce the same umbrella systems integration show that serves thecommercial and residential market.

“This is an extremely exciting development for all ourassociation memberships, strongly supported by our exhibiting membersand boards of governors,” said Billilynne D. Keller, executivedirector of CEDIA. “We all have a strong interest in extendingour educational and marketing opportunities around the world. Togetherwe are able to offer a significant contribution.”

“CEDIA, ICIA, and NSCA are organizations that focus on servingtheir members and their industry segments -- and they do it with asense of mission and the pursuit of excellence,” said RandalLemke, executive director of ICIA. “We know that together we cando more than any of us can do alone. We are committed to joining withour European and Asian members and the industry to develop these showsto meet their market needs.”

"Through our membership in the Electronic Systems TechnicianTraining Consortium and the Electronic Systems Alliance, ourassociations have been building trust and a good working relationshipover the last couple of years," said Chuck Wilson, NSCA executivedirector. "Since 1996 we have been searching for a good internationalsolution, and this partnership is the first thing that we think willreally make a difference for our members."

“This alliance of CEDIA, ICIA and NSCA adds tremendous valueto our Asia and China shows,” said Nat Wong, managing director ofIAPL. “We will now be able to deliver the most comprehensivesolutions in the highly competitive Asian tradeshow arena. This willpresent global sellers a clear alternative for marketing theirproducts, while Asian attendees will have unprecedented access not onlyto a multitude of products but to excellent educational opportunitiesas well.”

The associations are pleased to announce that Geneva is the idealcentral business location for a pan-European show, and the GENEVAPALEXPO is a brand new state-of-the-art facility that will serve theunique needs of the groups’ high-tech exhibitors properly.Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Geneva has a reputation as one ofthe continent’s most international and accessible hubs. The cityis home to numerous international organizations, major financialinstitutions, and leading research centers. At the same time, Geneva isone of Europe’s most intimate, warm and lively metropolises.Located within walking distance of Geneva’s internationalairport, and within a few minutes’ reach of downtown and the maintrain station, the GENEVA PALEXPO offers unparalleled convenience toEuropean capitals as well as to overseas locations.

“We are very happy and proud to be chosen as the Europeanvenue for this new high-tech systems show,” said Bruno Lurati,director general of the GENEVA PALEXPO. “With our long years ofexperience of hosting international shows on a world level – likethe International Motor Show or World Telecom for instance – wewill support the organizers to the maximum and we trust this event willbe a great success.”

A formal press conference and signing ceremony will be held on June2 at InfoComm 2003 in Orlando, Florida. In attendance will be theexecutive directors of the three associations, the head of IAPL, thenewly hired European managing director of the Europe show MikeBlackman, and a representative of GENEVA PALEXPO.

For all three associations, the critical components driving theinitiatives are their need to replicate their standards of excellencefor their existing tradeshows in the following ways:

* Exhibition programs that are focused on the integration ofelectronic systems that define the state of the art of“Electronic Lifestyles” 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 theopportunity to conduct business with their distribution channel(contractors, systems integrators, installers, consultants, etc),qualified specifiers that buy from the channel and professionalservices providers that partner with the distribution channel to servethe ultimate end user.

* Manufacturer and distributor exhibitors from CEDIA, ICIA, and NSCAindustry segments will be brought together on a common show floor tocreate a unique marketplace opportunity.

* Programs that educate the distribution channel and manufacturerson technical and business issues that they need to be successful.Tradeshow attendees will have unprecedented access to knowledge fromleading industry professionals delivered for all levels of expertise,from basic to the most advanced.

* Networking activities in a joint congress never before providedfor exhibitors, attendees, and the industry as a whole to makeprofessional connections vital to the conduct of their business inelectronics systems for the professional and home markets.

* Attendee participation including industry members working on fixedinstallations and in the rental and staging markets. In additionparticipation will include highly qualified specifiers and buyers oftechnology solutions in the residential and commercial markets.

The associations clarify, however, that the alliance does not extendto the North American tradeshows conducted by CEDIA, ICIA, and NSCA,which offer the independently leading exhibitions and conferences for“Electronic Lifestyles,” “pro-audiovisualsystems integration and communications,” and “buildingconnections,” respectively in the U.S. The shows in North Americahave served their attendees very successfully and each has seen largegrowth in the last decade. There is also a clearer distinction in NorthAmerica between the commercial and residential segments of theindustry.