DSE Industry Forum Resounding Success
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
“The inaugural Digital Signage Expo Industry Forum was the best event I have attended in the past 10 years,” says Chris Freeman, senior systems engineer-information technology, end user devices for United Airlines.
“This event was not
just informative for me being new to the digital signage role, but a great networking event to connect to others and to be able to reach out to them as a resource.”
This first Digital Signage Expo Industry Forum, held Oct. 7-to-10 in San Diego, assembled industry-leading network operators and service providers for three days of fast-paced face-to-face meetings, stimulating education programs and productive networking sessions.
The invitation-only event was produced by Atlanta-based Exponation LLC, which also owns and produces Digital Signage Expo (Feb. 22-25 in Las Vegas), the world’s largest and longest running conference and trade show dedicated exclusively to the digital signage, interactive technology and digital-out-of-home industries.
Participation in the Forum was limited to just 30 high-profile end users – including Target, Lowe’s, Wendy’s, Starbucks, United Airlines, Aflac, Mohawk Industries, MGM Resorts, AMC Theatres and more – and 15 sponsoring companies.
End users and sponsors alike were happy with the event.
“The opportunity to interact both professionally and socially with so many qualified accounts and industry professionals was invaluable,” says Dave Adams, senior account manager for Milestone AV Technologies.
Tom Link, senior director of Life Time Fitness, says, “The format of the conference was excellent and the two days of meetings could be the most useful time I have spent at a conference, ever.”
The forum’s format was designed to allow participants to develop long-term relationships and based on attendee comments, that goal was reached.
“The one-on-one meetings with CEO’s, presidents and key personnel from top digital signage companies were an invaluable experience,” says Bob Barnett, project manager for Vulcan Sports and Entertainment. “I was able to develop personal relationships with key people in the industry as well as learn about new startup technologies. I would highly recommend this forum to both vendors and end-users.”
“Networking has always been very important to our attendees and we were very pleased to create the opportunity for industry professionals to engage in more meaningful strategic discussions in an atmosphere that lent itself to developing deeper business relationships,” says Chris Gibbs, president of Exponation.
Those who attended were so positive about their experience that DSE will announce a schedule of two additional Industry Forum dates in the near future. Because the Forum is a limited seating event, if there is an interest in attending or being posted on a waiting list to sponsor either of the 2011 events, contact Dave Doucette at ddoucette@exponation.net.
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