Cleverdis: The 2005 InfoComm Show takes place June 4-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. Tell us about the event…

Randal Lemke: InfoComm is where you see the technologies, the systems, and the applications for projection, display, audio, lighting, videoconferencing, streaming media, digital signage, and everything related – before they hit the streets!

Cl.: Who attends?

R.L.: The entire audiovisual and communications information industry gathers annually at InfoComm! Professionals from many different industry sectors attend, such as Manufacturers of AV, videoconferencing, and presentations technology & systems; Dealers, systems integrators and installers; Rental & staging companies; Independent consultants; Production companies; Presentation and video professionals; and Press and market analysts. There are also End users and technology managers in Corporate, Education, Government, the Military, Worship, Healthcare, Retail, Meetings, Entertainment, Sports, Transportation… In short, anyone who sells or buys the equipment and services that are vital to the communication of information to people in a business or institutional setting. In short, InfoComm is THE venue to see audiovisual, electronic and information communications products, systems, and services.

Cl.: Let’s talk more specifically about the technologies that are on show…

R.L.: At InfoComm, you'll find over 10,000 of the latest, most exciting technologies emerging for the professional market in all their dazzling glory over almost 300,000 net sq. feet of space. The main fields are Display and Projection, Audio Systems, Video Systems, Control and Interfacing Systems, Conferencing Systems, Furniture, Cabinets, Racks and Cases, and Services, such as AV rental and staging, consultants, facility design, production, publications, catalogues, videoconferencing or teleconferencing planning and presentation services..,

Cl.: What, more precisely can people see in the display and projection fields?

R.L.: There are digital cinema projectors, flat panel displays, front and rear projection screens, LCD, plasma, LED, OLED, DLP, HDTV, High- Resolution, videowalls, video cubes, touch screens, and smart boards, just to name a few…

Cl.: The ICIA has launched into the promotion of market research. What’s that about?

R.L.: We have formed Market Intelligence Partnerships over the past year with eight leading market analyst firms – CriticalEYE / Infoscape, DisplaySearch, IDC, Insight Media, InterConnection Consulting Group, iSuppli/Stanford Resources, SCRI and TFCinfo. Market reports describing the AV industry from these partner firms are available in the ICIA Online Store, together with ICIA's own market reports. Visitors to the website can quickly search the several hundred reports by product category, geographical region, and vertical industry to find the exact market data they need for their business purposes.

Cl.: The ICIA is one of the three main driving forces behind Europe’s ISE show. This year’s show was a big success in January…

R.L.: Integrated Systems Europe this year, at the RAI, Amsterdam, saw a total of 7,401 visitors, with more attendees on the first day than for the entire inaugural edition. Pre-bookings for ISE 2006 have exceeded the total space sales achieved in 2005. Before the close of ISE 2005, over half the exhibitors had re-booked for the next event. With the majority opting for larger booths, ISE 2006 already exceeds the total stand area of this edition and is on course to increase by at least 50% next year. The third edition of ISE is set to take place in Brussels, providing a central European location at the heart of the EU community. Brussels has been chosen because of its accessibility with good road, air and high-speed rail connections with other major European cities, including London, Paris and major German cities. ISE 2006 will be held at the Brussels Expo, 1st - 3rd February 2006. The show will occupy Halls 5 and 6, accommodating the anticipated rate of growth in both numbers of exhibitors and attendees alike.

Cl.: What is the background and philosophy of the ICIA?

R.L.: The International Communications Industries Association® (ICIA®), founded in 1939 as the National Audio Visual Educational Dealers Association, is the premier international trade association for the professional audiovisual communications industry. ICIA’s origin was in the visual education movement in the 1930’s where educators looked to add visual elements to a print-dominated school curriculum. Edison’s moving pictures and Kodak’s photography had much to add to the education of the day. In Cleveland, Ohio a group of educators and companies organized a trade show and conference, a forerunner of InfoComm, to meet the needs of these visual educators and new customers. Today, the ICIA serves its worldwide membership and the AV communications industry as the preeminent provider of education, exhibitions, and information services to enhance their ability to conduct business successfully, profitably and competently. ICIA’s membership is made up of over 3,000 companies and individuals located in 56 countries, representing tens of thousands of AV communications professionals. ICIA presents value to its members as an industry-wide noncompetitive entity.