From next year, London’s two current major industry trade shows are merging into one entity, with Emap Media and VCM Events jointly announcing that Broadcast Live & VideoForum 2008 will be held from January 30th to February 1st at Earls Court 2. Echoing its predecessors, the three-day exhibition promises to showcase technology for the entire chain of production, post, management and delivery. Seminars will cover the craft, technical and business issues that the industry is faced with, writes Andy Stout.
Event Director, Kieron Seth, said: “The whole industry has been calling with one voice for VCM and Emap to work together. Broadcast Live & VideoForum 2008 will deliver to the UK the kind of event that most other countries enjoy. The event team is thrilled at the prospect of delivering a big show that will give unprecedented returns to exhibitors and a fantastic learning, buying and networking opportunity for the visitors.”
Conor Dignam, publishing director of Broadcast, said: “Emap Media wanted to bring to the market a unified exhibition that delivers exceptional value to exhibitors and an even more exciting experience for visitors over three days. The union with VideoForum makes tremendous sense for the whole industry and we are very excited about the new show.”
Industry was quick to applaud the move.
Carl Pring, marketing manager of Sony UK (Broadcast & B2B), who exhibits at both shows, commented: “It is fantastic to see the two biggest and most important exhibitions in the UK Broadcast & Professional industry so focused on the customer. I believe that by merging the two exhibitions Sony can now better position itself across all applications and make sure all areas of the professional industry are catered for.”
Welcoming the new event, Roger Crompton, CEO of the IABM, stated: “This is a very positive development from the perspective of IABM members. While both events were established and respected neither had the full support of the supplier community. Hopefully the new venture will create a definitive video, broadcast and media technology event for the UK market. Our Exhibitions Group will meet shortly to consider the IABM’s response to the news.”
It is expected that the name will change to something a little less unwieldy once the first show is done and dusted.