NSCA and InfoComm to Consolidate Trade Shows

InfoComm International, a leader in professional AV exhibitions and NSCA, a trade association for the electronics systems contracting industry, announced a cooperative effort to consolidate the events for both the professional AV and electronics systems industry. This means that the 2008 NSCA Systems Integration Expo will now become part of InfoComm’s annual trade show in Las Vegas on June 18-20, 2008. NSCA will also transfer its ownership interest in Integrated Systems Europe to the remaining partners, as per a separate operating agreement. According to Chuck Wilson, executive director of NSCA, “This is simply a huge deal for our industry and one we have been discussing for at least 10 years. It’s exciting to finally be able to say 'yes' to the hundreds of shared exhibitors and attendees of both trade shows who have been asking for us to do this.” As part of further event consolidation, InfoComm will discontinue its Executive Business Conference and become a primary sponsor of the 2008 NSCA Business Conference. The 2007 NSCA Fall Business Conference will be held as scheduled October 21-23 at the Paradise Point Resort in San Diego, Calif. The latest statistics from NSCA Systems Integration Expo indicate that more than 78 percent of the attendees and 80 percent of the exhibitors plan to also participate in InfoComm. Beyond InfoComm 08 and ISE, a new event, NSCA TechWeek, sponsored by InfoComm, will be launched next year. This event will feature education programs from NSCA University and the InfoComm Academy and will include tabletop exhibits and manufacturer training. NSCA TechWeek, sponsored by InfoComm, will be an event exclusive to the professional AV channel and electronic systems professionals. This trade-only conference will feature education, certification programs and manufacturer training. Michael Vergauwen, an InfoComm board member and a chief operating officer of Minnesota-based Audiovisual Inc., stated, “There is a huge demand for industry education and the TechWeek concept allows us to bring that education closer, and more often, to those who need it in a very affordable way.” The associations will remain separate and staffing is not expected to be impacted. Nancy Emerson, president of NSCA, stated that “NSCA and InfoComm have created new opportunities for our members and both associations will be better positioned to serve their membership. Emerson is also vice president of Iowa-based MTC Systems.