A Sign of Quality

As KIOSK EUROPE EXPO and DIGITAL SIGNAGE EXPO 2011 draw to a close, it has been a record year for quality.

We spoke to Managing Director of KIOSK EUROPE EXPO and DIGITAL SIGNAGE EXPO 2011, Jens Schindler, about this year's show.

Now that KIOSK EUROPE EXPO and DIGITAL SIGNAGE EXPO have drawn to a close for another year, what are your thoughts on the events?

Jens Schindler: KIOSK EUROPE EXPO and DIGITAL SIGNAGE EXPO 2011 have proved once again that they are the shows that put quality first. This year, we were overwhelmed by the high quality attendance, which has included some of the biggest global brands from all over Europe and also beyond, from major retailers to international airports. There was also a significant increase in visitors from agencies, media organisations and integration companies.

Just over 2,850 visitors attended the show. These came from all over the world, with the Netherlands, Poland, Russia and Turkey all having a strong presence alongside the traditional core countries such as Germany and the UK.

This year’s show was characterised by, we think, the best mix yet in terms of both hardware and software, service and content, 3D and new innovations, including new standout products such as the transparent screens invented by Samsung. We’ve seen a breakthrough in terms of the number of content companies coming to the show. So it’s fair to say that this year’s show was the best yet.

What were the highlights of this year’s show?

JS: This year’s Open Forum programme was extremely well received by visitors. End clients attended the presentations to see how to plan and develop their own projects. Again, the audience was very international and high quality.

Also, we have a record number of managing directors and department leaders at the show this year, so we can proclaim this year to have achieved a new quality record.

What do you think a visitor to the show is looking to get out of their visit?

JS: I think visitors want to be able to find all the relevant information that makes it possible for them to plan their project so that it achieves what they want it to achieve. They want to have the networking opportunities to find the suppliers that can help them do this efficiently and with the assurance of quality. They want to be able to do this all in one day and all under one roof. That’s precisely what they can get at the show.

The event offers visitors the opportunity to network with people who have already implemented their own projects. For example Margot Myers, who coordinated the forum programme on the second day as part of the Platt Retail Institute, has delivered one of the biggest digital signage projects in the world, for the US postal service. Bringing these people together, along with CEOs of companies like Neo Advertising and others, presents a valuable opportunity for visitors. Along with this, no other show delivers that high degree of international visitors and exhibitors, so people can hear ideas from beyond their own horizons and beyond their national horizons.

What has feedback from exhibitors been like?

JS: It has been very positive. We have had some exhibitors telling us it was the best show yet. A record number of companies have already rebooked their stand for next year. Several companies doubled their stand size from last year to this year. They have already announced that they are going to double the size again at next year’s show. This demonstrates that the concept works for our exhibitors.

What are your plans for next year’s show?

JS: After five years in Essen, we have decided to move the event to Berlin for 2012. We will strengthen the event character; there will be even more content developers and service providers exhibiting. The show will be held on the 12th and 13th June, right in the centre of Berlin, just 500m south of Potsdamer Platz. Pre-bookings are already going better than they have ever gone before. People are seeing that the new location will give an additional boost to an already successful and well-established concept.

There is also an increasing realisation that interactivity is really key to success when it comes to digital signage, and the new show will reflect this.

Jens Schindler is Managing Director of hf media and events, which organises KIOSK EUROPE EXPO and DIGITAL SIGNAGE EXPO 2011.