ISE 2018 organizers confirmed what managing director Mike Blackman alluded to last week as the show closed, saying the show set another worldwide record for pro AV trade shows with 80,923 attendees, marking a 10.3 percent increase over the previous record set of 73,001 in 2017.
[related] ISE attracted 1,296 companies across 15 halls and more than 57,000 square feet in the RAI Amsterdam, a total that includes 294 first-time exhibitors. Exhibitors have already committed to even more floor space for 2019, meaning that show could surpass this year’s record-breaking total, too.
Among the 80,923 attendees, about 20,000 of them came to the trade show floor on the fourth and final day. More than 30 percent of this year’s attendees were at ISE for the first time.
“It’s been a great show that has delivered on all fronts,” says Integrated Systems Events managing director Mike Blackman. “I’m delighted to report that visitor numbers and exhibitor satisfaction have both been very high. On behalf of ISE, I’d like to thank all our attendees, exhibitors, partners and our co-owners AVIXA and CEDIA. This combination has made ISE what it is today and ensures that we are able to build on our successes year on year.”
ISE 2018 Continues to Grow Content, Too
Many exhibitors once again used ISE 2018 as a launchpad for hundreds of new products, technologies and solutions. The show also provided what organizers called “a unique platform for [AVIXA and CEDIA] to reinforce recent initiatives and to cement their key role as providers of exemplary professional development programs.”
Exhibitors have already committed to even more floor space for 2019, meaning that show could surpass this year’s record-breaking total, too.
“We kicked off the week with our TIDE conference and never stopped learning and connecting with the global AV community,” said AVIXA CEO and executive director David Labuskes. “It was very exciting to unveil our new AVIXA brand to the ISE audience and welcome attendees to our vibrant stand.”
New CEDIA CEO Tabitha O’Connor agreed with Labuskes, saying, “CEDIA has enjoyed a phenomenal ISE 2018. We are so proud to be co-owners of this amazing event. Our training program featured more than 50 classes, across business and technical topics and certification examinations that were very well supported by the industry. Meantime, our booth was buzzing with visitors, finding out more about our new strategic plan, meeting friends from the CEDIA community, and making great new connections. Our exciting programme of CEDIA Talks on the booth also proved extremely popular.”
