Here is a topic I think is near and dear to all our hearts and I believe you will agree that we all know how demanding and expensive exhibiting and/or attending the plethora of industry related trade shows can be. It was an especially difficult in 2009 with the economy to balance all the vertical market shows as well our niche industry shows like the two KioskCom / Digital Signage Show events and DSE. Oh yeah, and trying to generate revenue to pay for these marketing activities at the same time!
It is getting even more difficult with the evolving, overlapping and merging of the self-service kiosk, digital signage, DOOH and audio-visual markets. If someone wanted to actively participate in all the shows that dealt with our markets (Just North America), we would have to start with NRF in January and then as a minimum do or have a presence at: DSE, GlobalShop, KioskCom / DSS Spring, Infocomm, and KioskCom / DSS Fall. I know left out many like AAM, BAI, FS/TECH, HITECH, IAAPA, IHMRS, NAB, NACS, SHRM, all the various content and other DOOH related events and many others, sorry for any omissions, not on purpose just needed to catch my breath! I think you will see my point and appreciate where I am coming from, at least all the vendors should.
The last item that directly impacts this trade show consolidation topic is the direct involvement and support from our primary industry organizations like the SSKA, DSA and Infocomm. Infocomm is easy, they directly support the Infocomm show and do a great job. Now, the SSKA and DSA is bit more complex and requires considerable discussion from the members (vendor and deployer), board members, executive team and Networld Alliance.
SO, is there some consolidation coming in the trade show space as it relates to the self-service kiosk, digital signage, DOOH and audio-visual markets? Or at a minimum will there be some increased effort to drive cooperation between the multitude of shows and various organizations that support these shows so in-turn they can better support and serve the customers and vendors within these markets? I sure hope so!
