InfoComm Orlando – The perfect remedy to past challenges

This time two years ago, I personally had doubts that we would ever see the like of it again, that shows would possibly become more regionalized, but InfoComm 2023 has proved, beyond any doubt, that international trade shows are now back to their very best.

Just writing that paragraph fills my veins with warmth, or maybe I’m still cooling down from Orlando’s humidity!

Yes indeed, InfoComm was a success by any measure. I fully concur with Gary Kayye’s @ rAVE blog that the numbers, to a large degree do not matter. Any exhibitor would surely prefer 50 quality leads a day than 500 who are mostly not in a position to drive business and, from what was experienced, it was quality all the way at the Orange County Convention Center.

Not that the numbers were low by any means – 30,000 is a LOT of people – and the huge hall always felt vibrant from end-to-end. But it was the quality that stood out this year. The speaker sessions, the organization and layout, facilities, networking events and, of course, the attendees. Our clients were blown away by not only the business opportunities from scheduled appointments, but the calibre of visitors who passed through. One client in particular nailed down a whopping deal, which, to them, makes any attendance numbers irrelevant.

Business is, obviously, the primary objective for attending InfoComm, or indeed any large trade show. Floor space, staff logistics, freight…are all getting noticeably more expensive and it is essential that exhibitors see an ROI on that investment.

Our media friends will cover the technology, lead times and industry trends with aplomb and in-depth, but InfoComm 2023 was so much more than pixels, reduced latency and bandwidth. The delight that ‘we are back’ was palpable and the networking, at least to our team, appeared to have an extra zest as people spent time with customers, connections and friends that they had not seen for some considerable time.

We saw it at the PSNI Global Alliance Quality Cup Awards, we saw it at the Starin/Midwich party at the Howl at the Moon and we saw it at the CTI event. You could feel it on the show floor.

The hugs meant more, the clinking of glasses was heartfelt and the business flowed. These moments matter and thank you to each and everyone who spent their time with the Bees.

New relationships were formed with genuine enthusiasm – with face-to-face networking once again demonstrating that nothing can substitute people energy. Don’t worry, we’re not going to mention Artificial Intelligence…d’oh!

This industry never ceases to amaze me, and Bees Buzz applaud and thank David Labuskes and all at AVIXA for putting on a ‘freakin awesome’ stellar show.

The countdown is now on for InfoComm Vegas and, if Orlando is anything to go by, that is going to be quite something. If not before, we’ll see you there!

Stuart