Bucking the trend which has seen scores of trade shows suffer dips over the last 18 months, ISE has grown for the seventh consecutive year and looks set to post a record total attendance.
Mike Blackman, managing director, Integrated Systems Events, said, “Last year we described ISE as resilient and robust in the face of global recession. This year we can also claim that we have grown to become the essential European event for the AV community.”
As the show opened a total of 24,800 delegates had pre-registered, up significantly from the 19,500 recorded at the same stage in 2009. Blackman confidently predicted that final attendance numbers would top 28,000, smashing the previous best of 24,912.
There are 640 exhibitors, beating last year’s 564, accommodated over the same RAI footprint as last year.
“Clearly the economic situation has had an impact on budgets and some companies have chosen not to exhibit, although we expect to see them back in the future,” added Blackman, who welcomes 133 new exhibitors.
Pointing out that more than 20 press events are scheduled for the next few days, Blackman noted that ISE is now a calendar event where companies plan world-first announcements.
“Corporate and residential users as well as exhibitors recognise the need to harness the power of AV. ISE has become the focal point for a market that continues to expand and shows no sign of reducing in potential.
The past few months have seen a real upswing in confidence across the European AV industry and our record pre-registration figures are a reflection of that optimism.
“From digital signage to converged video and lighting, pro audio to building automation, 3D and visualisation, ISE 2010 delivers it all,” Blackman concluded.
