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News Archive >> CEDIA NZ Expo Smashes Expectations
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So popular was the inaugural CEDIA New Zealand Expo in Auckland at the end of June that half of the booths sold out within the first hour. The show had to be doubled in size before the end of the first week!
“After we sold the first six stands in an hour, I knew we were on to a winner,” NZ Expo chairman Brendon Reid says. “And then when we opened registration to attendees, I thought 100-150 would be a good number.” The final number of pre-registrations was 329.
CEDIA Asia Pacific executive director Stephen Miller was one attendee who was pleasantly surprised at the success of the show: “Based on the number of quality electronic systems professionals we have seen flow through these doors over the two days, this show has been an extraordinary success.
“In the past, the only Expo in our region was held in Australia. Now similar events are happening in New Zealand, with China and Japan set to follow.
“This event has brought a lot of people out of the woodwork to present new opportunities in this emerging market for all the exhibitors.”
The Expo showcased local and international products and solutions in high-end home automation and entertainment fields, including home cinema and audio/visual equipment.
Overseas presenters conducted many of the CEDIA education sessions and were on hand to answer questions and demonstrate their products first-hand.
CEDIA NZ treasurer Caroline Speedy, also the general manager of AVDsays that she was sceptical of whether the show could come together so quickly.
“Brendon was very much the driving force behind this show. I’ll be the first to admit that I thought there’d be no way he could pull this off in such a short space of time, but he went out and got the support and here we are.”
Among the attendees, it appears that the unique education and training that CEDIA offers was a primary motivator for people to come along to the trade-only show.
Stephan Goodhue of award-winning Liquid Automation takes care of training and education in New Zealand.
“There has been an absolutely amazing turnout to the training sessions on offer,” he says.
“Obviously the numbers speak for themselves, this is the first time these people have had a proper chance to get education in this field.”
AVD managing director Charles Speedy says CEDIA membership “shows a commitment to the industry to show that you’re here for the long run, and to be a better installer and provide better service to your clients.
“I think it’s all-important for all parties in the industry to be the best they can be, and the industry isn’t an easy one to be in – there are so many facets to being a good businessperson apart from the actual installation, you have to look at project management, being able to cost projects, and receive payments while conducting business in a professional, sustainable way.”
The future of CEDIA looks bright in NZ, with discussions about next year’s show already underway.
Date
Friday 30 Jul 2010 - Thursday 30 Dec 2010
