Las Vegas, Feb 25-26. Digital Signage Expo (DSE). This was the fourth year of the show, which used to be called the Digital Retail Expo. This is one of several shows trying to become the main destination for vendors and customers of Digital Signage and Kiosks Digital Merchandising. The show moved from Chicago to Las Vegas this year, which prompted some discussion in the blogosphere (Bill Gerba and Dave Haynes). The show is making nice progress with more exhibitors and more attendees each year. Most exciting the attendees this year weren’t just integrators looking at Digital Signage as a new industry to enter, but also end users (like retailers and public venue owners) looking to learn more about best practices. If I had to bet on one stand alone Digital Signage trade show to survive, I’d bet on this one right now.
What was disappointing was the show producers, ExpoNation, announced a second digital signage show in Philadelphia, September 18-19 as well. Do we really need yet another digital signage show? What the digital signage industry needs is a critical mass, not a handful of vendors decided how to spread their marketing dollars among 10 different trade shows, and attendees randomly choosing one or two to attend. I’m going to put up my own list of shows that I track as a permanent page on this blog, feel free to contribute.
I spoke on a panel about “Future Change Agents That Might Effect the Future of Retail Digital Signage”. Sonya Rosas from Interpublics’ Emerging Media Lab gave me a nice review on their blog.
You won’t want to miss The Digital Signage Show from April 16-17, 2008 at The Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Now co-located with the 12th Annual KioskCom Self Service Expo, these events have long been heralded as the show that delivers real & pre-qualified end user buyers (retailers, hospitality, travel, etc.). It’s a show that for 12 years has continued to bring out the serious buyers, ready to make their purchases.
For more information or to register, visit http://www.thedigitalsignageshow.com or email [email protected].