ISE 2013: What you need to know

Integrated Systems Europe held an exclusive pan-European confab this week, revealing plans for its 2013 event alongside related announcements, and naturally Inside CI was there. Perhaps the most exciting development announced by ISE, and the one with the broadest implication for the custom install business, was the launch of a Smart Building Conference. Supported by KNX and Connected Living, it's designed to bring the construction industry closer to our world of integration. Apparently 34 per cent of attendees to ISE 2012 said they wanted to see more building automation technologies - and it looks like they're going to get their wish. For more on that read our Smart Building news story here. 

ISE facts and figures
Amazingly, ISE 2013 will be the tenth anniversary of the event, and the show continues to grow apace. It's now ranked as the third fastest growing tradeshow in the world.

During the press briefing, some interesting post show data was released: the total attendance for ISE 2012 was 40,869, a rise of 17.2 per cent YOY. Attendees came from 130 countries (that's only just under NAB and IBC), with both the UK and Germany contributing over 5,000 attendees apiece. Of all the big global trade shows, ISE attracts the largest percentage of non-domestic attendees. For a sense of how busy this year's show was, check out our gallery below.

In other good news, ISE's number crunchers predict that the size of the 'ISE market' is set to grow dramatically. They reckon it will be worth €20.2bn this year, up from €17.9bn last year.

We also got a chance to meet Marieke Bouman, the organisation's new conference and events manager. Marieke, who comes to ISE from IDG Netherlands where she was a senior events manager, has plenty of related experience, having staged events for digital imaging, green initiatives, rail and automotive tech. 

See Hear Touch charity launch
At the press briefing, ISE announced a new charity programme, which it calls 'SeeHearTouch,' which will equip children's hospices with the home-cinema and media technology. The development is directly related to the pioneering work carried out by ISE sales manager Ian Morrish here in the UK, and covered extensively here on Inside CI.

Mike Blackman, ISE's MD, explained: "Our board of directors has enabled us to allocate part of our revenue each year to subsidising the work of industry stakeholders who undertake to design and install home theatres and media rooms in children's hospices across the continent."

Under the auspices of SeeHearTouch, ISE says it will reach out to umbrella groups representing children's hospices in a number of European countries, and solicit the support of manufacturers and distributors willing to donate equipment to each project, as well as integrators willing to undertake design and installation work. Part of the cost of that work will be met by SeeHearTouch.

"As well as giving us the chance to channel some of the proceeds of our event to a good cause, we believe SeeHearTouch is a wonderful way for our community to contribute its expertise in a way that really makes a difference to children with short lives and the people who care for them," he said. 

The first project will be the Irmengard Hof, in Chiemsee, Bavaria, arranged in conjunction with Germany's National Association of Children's Hospices. ISE hopes to start additional projects in France and Benelux soon. This is heart-warming news indeed, and Inside CI would like to congratulate Ian Morrish particularly, as he got this whole ball rolling!

Education and training at ISE 2013
InfoComm International, co-owner of the Integrated Systems Europe tradeshow, also used the ISE 2013 briefing to put out a call for presenters and seminar proposals for a beefed up education programme to run during the show.

Exhibitors can put forward topic ideas to be hosted at either InfoComm's Future Trends Summit , which takes place on Monday 28 January, or as part of the InfoComm University programme which runs in ISE's Education Zone, held on the show days of 29-31 January.

By way of guidance, Future Trends seminars should be on topics related to technologies that will affect the industry in the coming months and years. Typical slots are 45 to 50 minutes in length, while the InfoComm University seminars "can be on any topic pertinent to the AV industry." Slots are usually 50 minutes, but there is leeway for more in-depth content. While English is the common language, organisers say they will encourage presentations in other common European languages - although no interpretation services will be provided.

Companies or individuals are encouraged to submit several proposals. Presentations should be educational in nature and not contain a sales pitch. The final selections will be announced in November.

While there's no charge to present on behalf of InfoComm, presenters will have to cover their own travel or other expenses. Last year, the Infocomm University offerings attracted more than 600 delegates.

Integrated Systems Europe 2013 will be held at the Amsterdam RAI, January 29-31. For more visit the official ISE website here, and stay tuned to Inside CI for more news as the show gets nearer.