ISE 2013 confirms record attendance
Published: ASIA
WORLD: As anticipated, ISE 2013 saw record numbers of exhibitors and visitors drawn to the RAI this week, totalling at 44,151 registered attendees and just shy of 900 exhibitors – both records for the A/V show.
The number of registered attendees represents an eight per cent increase on 2012’s record of 40,869, and most exhibitors reported that they had experienced ‘a brisk three days of business involving a healthy mix of new and established contacts’.
The positive trend was continued during the on-site exhibitor rebooking process for ISE 2014, where over 500 companies reserved space totalling more than 30,000 sq-m. A large number of these companies committed themselves to larger stands 12 months from now, many of these being smaller to medium-sized exhibitors that are relatively new to ISE.
‘Few who attended our inaugural event in 2004 could have imagined just how big, how interconnected and how inclusive ISE would become within less than a decade,’ commented Mike Blackman, managing director, Integrated Systems Events. ‘ISE 2013 demonstrated more clearly than ever that the electronic systems integration industry is capable of defying economic headwinds and encouraging its stakeholder companies toward continued growth.
‘What we clearly see emerging now at ISE is a fresh wave of exhibitors that are building their businesses on the back of their ability to inspire new connections, greater collaboration and, perhaps above all, wonderful content,’ he continued. ‘All the signs point to a wonderful show in 2014, and a rosy future for an industry that continues to grow into business sectors that would have seemed out-of-bounds to us only a few short years ago.’
ISE celebrated its 10th edition on January 28th with an opening keynote address by cyber-illusionist Marco Tempest, followed by a 10th birthday party at which some of ISE’s founding exhibitors were honoured in a special presentation. The celebrations were preceded by three pre-show conferences, with over 1,200 people attending the various Monday events.