InfoComm China showcased the communication industry's latest technological developments, innovations and applications in audio, video, presentation, projection, multimedia, computer and interactive conferencing. Leading manufacturers, including Christie Digital Systems, Creston Electronics, Da-Lite Screen Co., Draper Inc., Epson, Extron Electronics, Fujitsu General, InFocus, Mitsubishi, NEC, Sanyo, Sony and Toshiba, showcased their latest products in magnificent exhibit booth displays – many of which rivaled their U.S. show exhibits in design and presentation, thus indicating the investment manufacturers are placing on China’s growing AV systems market.
Commenting on the show, ICIA Executive Director Randal Lemke said “What impressed me immediately was the exhibitors’ commitment to the show demonstrated in the size and quality of their exhibits. I think it reflects their belief that China is both a current market as well as a very big developing market.”
“We came here with the objective of expanding our market,” said Kelvin Pan, assistant manager of China trade for Toshiba, summing up the experience of exhibiting at InfoComm China 2002. “The contacts we made in terms of quality and quantity of potential customers far exceeded our expectations. This show certainly has the potential to become the best showcase in China for professional audiovisual communications manufacturers.”
“Networking opportunities at the exhibition were plentiful,” commented Martin Zhang, general manager of Christie Digital Systems (China). “It was also an opportunity for us to introduce Christie’s China office to the market. Through this show, the visitors got to know our products and they liked what they saw.”
Visitors were impressed with the displays as it was a rare first-hand opportunity to evaluate products from the world’s leading audiovisual brand names. “It is truly a specialized event. There is a good mix of international companies and it gives us an opportunity to explore the most advanced AV equipment and technology,” enthused Gao Wan Jun, deputy office director of China Electronic Audio Industry Association while visiting the show on the first day. “We will try to organize a group to visit the next show so that most of our members can benefit from the exhibition.”
Another visitor, Li Ping, general manager of Shanghai Honghe Technology Co., Ltd., also agreed. “The show is an eye-opener. I will definitely come back here to keep myself updated on the happenings in this industry.”
InfoComm China’s launch firmly established the marketing platform for companies to introduce their products to the vast Chinese pro-AV market. Shanghai, China's major business and industrial hub, is the meeting place for local businesses, professionals and educational institutes to source their audiovisual requirements.
China's entry into World Trade Organization, which promises to produce substantial new trade and investment opportunities, will continue to drive China’s economic growth. The staging of the 2008 Olympics Games has given the country a further boost. As the nation prepares to host the world games, there is great urgency to modernize and upgrade its infrastructure. All these exciting developments spawn tremendous demand for better communications, presentation equipment and other InfoComm products and services, according to show organizer INFOCOMMASIA Pte Ltd.
"The launch of InfoComm China was timely for exhibitors to embrace the vast opportunities,” commented INFOCOMMASIA managing director, Nat Wong. “It was a natural progression for us to recognize China's growing importance to the AV communications industry; the launch of this show helped our exhibitors make that crucial connection to the buyers. These exhibitors will reap the rewards of successfully positioning themselves in the vast Chinese market early."
In conjunction with the exhibition, eight seminar sessions were held under the aegis of the International Communications Industries Association, Inc. (ICIA). Conducted in Chinese, a diverse range of topics were presented to more than 800 participants with each of the eight seminar sessions attracted an average class of about 100 participants. More than 70% of the attendees were from the audiovisual and communications technology industries. Presenters from Extron, AMX, Crestron, Altinex and Xinergy were very pleased with the quality turnout, while still recognizing the need for expanded educational programs in China.