Comdex again a no-show for 2005. Citing a lack of interest and financial commitments from major vendors, organizers have canceled the annual Comdex show in Las Vegas for the second year running. [Computerworld News]
So, no Comdex again. The news item from Computerworld cites a maturing industry with focus on IT. The former Computer Dealers Expo just doesn't have the buzz, in fact the entire industry doesn't have the buzz. Through the 1980s and most of the 90s, there was tremendous innovation in the PC industry. New products that added power and performance spewed forth in a constant torrent. My stint as a marketing manager was for a company that had developed a graphics board. We exhibited at Comdex, and it was a great experience.
But, I could see in 1989 that the power of the CPU, new operating systems and memory advances would render our product superfluous. And so it came to pass. That along with the video accelerator boards, sound systems, graphics software, communications products and so on. And let's face it, corporate IT people aren't always as, shall we say, enthusiastic as those of us early on constantly trying new things.
The other part of this decline cited by Computerworld was the lack of support by major vendors. In a maturing industry companies don't see the possibility of finding lots of new customers at expos. It's very expensive to exhibit--major suppliers in the automation industry could spend upwards of a million dollars for a big showing at National Manufacturing Week or ISA Expo.
So, likewise, what's going to happen to the "major" automation shows-National Manufacturing Week and ISA Expo? Actually, I'm more concerned with the Industrial Automation show part of the NMW umbrella. That recently completed show featured NO press conferences. Not even some of the ones found in the late 90s featuring company presidents who liked to have an opportunity to speak. The show is moving to Rosemont Convention Center next year, and probably won't fill it. It's the same deal. The major suppliers don't see the return for the expense. They each contributed to filling the aisles of the old shows but would rather have closed venues to nurture their customers than chase after ever fewer prospects.
Is it time for a new tilt on an automation show? Focused. Slimmed down. Cheaper for exhibitors. Better conference sessions. It needs one large player to help set it in motion. Someone who is a supplier to the suppliers who can pack the clout to bring in exhibitors and provide good conference sessions. I wonder who that might be?
I pick on conference sessions because I've seen the automation conference sessions at NMW just become marketing pitches. Even this year a significant number of speakers were marketing people. Conference sessions can have exhibitor presenters and be good, I suppose, but they should be technical sessions where attendees can learn something. Best are sessions led by people actually doing the work sharing best practices. I don't even go for free as an editor, let alone pay several hundred dollars to go. But that's probably a dream.
Hey, I'll volunteer to help someone organize the thing. What do you say?
6:16:14 AM 
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