Jordan O'BrienThe Confederation of Aerial Industries, also known as CAI, is set to hold its fifth annual Evolving Connectivity trade event, with this year’s show set to see a sizeable expansion.
For the 5th year running, Evolving Connectivity will see the floor space available increased to over 1200 m2, which will in turn see an increased number of stands available to prospective exhibitors. CAI has also announced that there will be more seats available in the seminar theatre.
Despite the increase in space, Evolving Connectivity 2019 will still take place at the National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham. That means it’s still accessible from the motorway, national rail, and even the airport.
“Many of the installers we speak to report that business is brisk, but that they need to keep their fingers on the pulse in order to ensure future success. Consequently, many exhibitors will be showcasing products from the traditional parts of our industry as well as new technologies, especially those linked to Smart Home or Home Networking,” said the CAI.
On the eve of the trade show, CAI will host its annual Gala Awards Dinner for 130 trade colleagues to network and celebrate industry achievements. A limited number of event sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Update March 5, 2019
CAI has revealed even more information surrounding its expanded format for Evolving Connectivity 2019. The organisation has revealed that this year’s seminars will be presented by Sky, Ofcom, Freesat, DMSL, DTG, CSCS and TrustMark.
There will be a variety of seminars presented throughout the day, with the CAI’s Chairman, Les Hampson, kicking off the show at 10:30am. That will be followed by Andy Carr from Freesat, who will share the company’s latest figures, share the many ways to receive the service and talk about the current changes in the broadcast market and how that will affect installers.
Following those two sessions, the full line-up of seminars include:
- Ben Roome of DMSL – Ben will provide an update on the activity of viewer support for 700 MHz clearance through 2018. The session will cover some of the reception issues that have been seen during clearance and how these have been addressed. There will also be a look ahead to the major changes occurring as a result of clearance in the next 12 months.
- Alex Buchan of Digital TV Group – With over 80% of adults streaming TV, big brands like Samsung and Apple working together to bring new TV experiences to viewers, France upgrading their DTT network to 4k/UHD, and conversely Denmark switching DTT off, where will we take TV next in the UK?
- Peter Madry of Ofcom – An update on viewing and listening trends, what changes are taking place on the terrestrial broadcasting networks and what might be happening in the near future.
- Angeleen Hill of CSCS – This is a CSCS update of our card changes, Construction Leadership Council minimum requirements and the overall strategic direction of the scheme.
- Simon Ayers of TrustMark – A discussion on how developing quality services is important to the industry.
- Gareth Jones of Sky UK – A look at how Sky are working with Developers, House Builders and their Installers to provide Sky Q to customers living in specialist properties.