Jordan O'BrienCEDIA may have closed the doors on Expo 2015, but the organisation is still reeling in its success; with this year’s event boasting a 16% boost in attendance and a 6% uplift in the number of exhibitors participating.
More than 18,700 people descended on Dallas to attend CEDIA Expo 2015 with 510 companies exhibiting their wares at the show.
Skyler Meek, Screen Innovations, comments on this year’s attendance: “This year has definitely been incredible and you could feel the energy on the show floor.
“Our booth has been slammed the entire show with the people we want to talk to.
“We are humbled to have come so far in 10 short years.”
“Dallas is a new draw for people we haven’t gotten to talk with before,” comments Ron Maurer, executive vice president for Current Audio.
“More than anything, we’ve gotten better, quality leads on our first day of the show than we ever have.”
“CEDIA is where we come to do business. We’ve been consistently busy meeting with new and current reps and setting meetings with our partners; it’s always a good show for us,” notes Kenton Smith, marketing director for Luxul.
The number of first-time attendees was up 33% this year and 124 exhibitors made their CEDIA debut.
“This is our first time exhibiting at CEDIA and we are impressed with both the reception we have received and the knowledge of the integrators we have talked to,” adds Jenny Snodgrass, sales and marketing operations manager for DynaQuip Controls.
“The way people have responded is proof that there is a demand for our product from both homeowners and integrators.”
“I came to the show looking to get into the industry. I was blown away by the community that exists in this space – people are willing to talk with you and connect you with others in their network. I’ve never seen anything like that before in any other industry,” reports first-time attendee Ellis Thomas.
CEDIA 2015 also offered attendees numerous events where they could network and learn.
Highlights included the Opening Keynote by famed Futurist Michael Rogers, the New Point of View Party, the Awards Celebration and a variety of events in the CEDIA booth including the new CEDIA Talks where attendees could hear from industry visionaries.
CEDIA also conducted 108 training sessions, and attendees had the opportunity to sit for certification.
“I could not be more pleased with my first CEDIA as CEO. Walking the show floor, I couldn’t help but be energized seeing conversations happening in bustling booths,” concludes Vin Bruno, CEDIA CEO.
“After months and months of hard work, CEDIA also got to unveil our new brand strategy and communicate with our stakeholders that CEDIA is working to provide them with the resources they need to be successful. It truly was a fantastic show.”
For 2016, the CEDIA show will be held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas September 14-17, with the tradeshow floor open September 15-17.