Are you interested in learning more about digital signage technology and how to incorporate it into your shop’s workflow process? Or meeting up with experts in this dynamic field? Or alleviating some of the fears you might have about how this technology can change your business structure?
If so, then you might consider attending Digital Signage Expo 2015.
Digital Signage Expo (DSE) is the world’s largest International Tradeshow and Educational Conference dedicated to the newest, most cutting-edge technology in the digital signage, interactive technologies, and out-of-home media industry. This year’s main conference takes place March 10-13, 2015 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, while its exhibit hall will be open to attendees there March 11-12, 2015.
Chris Gibbs, president of ExpoNation, LLC, the producer of Digital Signage Expo, wants to first eliminate any fears you have that digital signs will replace your static signage work. “That’s not going to happen,” he affirms.
Instead he sees digital signage of various formats and sizes as complements to your sign building process. “I’m seeing digital signage being incorporated more these days into the static sign itself or into the environment surrounding the static signage,” observes Gibbs. “It’s more of a mix that the sign will have some static elements and some dynamic elements.
“So sign makers who are able to understand digital sign technology will be able to integrate it with their other signage capabilities and give customers more offerings—and potentially a stronger profit margin.”
Gibbs points out that there are several beneficial reasons for sign makers to attend Digital Signage Expo.
With all the exposure digital signage is generating these days (and with component prices continuing to drop), Gibbs believes that more potential end-users (i.e., your customers) are going to start looking for dynamic, digital elements to incorporate in their indoor and outdoor signage. He thinks that savvy sign manufacturers will want to be in-the-know concerning digital signage technology, and there’s no better place to do so than attending DSE.
“So when a client asks if [you] can create a digital sign or a static sign with a digital signage element, [you] won’t be in the dark,” he says. “Once you learn about the technology or speak with the experts there, you’ll be able to point the customer in the right direction or even handle it yourself (or with a partner).”
Digital Signage Expo has really grown, and Gibbs has been there every step of the way. In 2004 he led the sales effort to launch DSE, and the show quickly became the worldwide leader in this growing market.
In 2006, Gibbs was promoted to Executive Vice President, with responsibilities for all of Exponation’s tradeshow and Internet sales activities. He was promoted to president and chief operating officer of Exponation, LLC in October 2008, acknowledging his significant contribution and increased management responsibilities for the company.
Under his leadership, Exponation events have consistently enjoyed year-to-year sales growth. Digital Signage Expo won a Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 award in 2007, the first year that the show was eligible for this award, recognizing its exceptional sales growth from 2004-2006. DSE was a repeat winner as a “Fastest 50” event in 2009 and 2011.
And in 2009, Gibbs led the launch and development of the Digital Signage Connection, the company’s industry online information portal that offers original research, rich media, and valuable information about the digital signage industry and its innovations and noteworthy installations.
If you’ve never attended DSE, you should realize that this annual event is typically a very busy show with lots of people and lots to see. For this reason, it’s also an exciting show.
But it shouldn’t be an overwhelming show.
“Because of all that’s going on, pre-planning is going to be very important to make an efficient use of your time on the show floor (which is open between 10am and 5pm),” says Gibbs.
Gibbs (pictured, left) stresses the importance of education for sign makers looking to get more involved with this technology and points out that there are many informative courses covering a wide variety of topics available at this year’s show. (Note: To see a full listing, click HERE.) “There will also be educational tracks presented entirely in Spanish,” he says, “since we’re experiencing a very large Latin American influence these days.”
For first-time attendees or sign manufacturers who are still intimidated by the technology aspect of digital signage, Gibbs recommends taking some of the more fundamental tracks that offer a ground-level, slow immersion into the technology. “Then study the floor plan and the different type of companies you’re interested in talking to,” he says. “Maybe pick a few software companies and a few hardware companies and make plans to visit them face-to-face.”
One new change this year is that half of this year’s seminar programs are going to be called “Idea Exchanges.”
Instead of the traditional presenter-behind-a-podium-speaking-to-an-audience, these Idea Exchanges will be more collaboration. “All these seminars will be presented in roundtables of eight people, and they will be about certain aspects about a challenge of digital signage, whether that’s installation, content, mobile integration, etc.,” explains Gibbs. “So after two or three topics are discussed at that table, the results of those discussions will be shared amongst the larger group or the audience.”
DSE has experimented with this presentation style in the past, and they believe it allows for a more intimate learning experience. “People seemed to get a lot more out of it,” says Gibbs, “and responded positively about them to us afterwards.”
Gibbs adds that there are also free educational opportunities on the show floor for the more budget-conscious attendee. “There are free ‘workshops’ during the show that are occurring during both days of the event,” he says. “You can walk in and sit down whenever you want. It’s all an open-air atmosphere.”
Finally Gibbs mentions how important networking is at DSE. Not only should you visit the booths to meet with the professionals in this industry, but there will also be a networking reception held on Wednesday, March 11, right at the close of show at the convention center. “A lot of times some of the best business contacts are made over a drink after the show,” he says. “There are manufacturers out there that can really benefit from coming to this event and add some different options to the current solutions that they’re providing their customers.”
For more information about Digital Signage Expo 2015 and to register, visit www.digitalsignageexpo.net.
