Before it becomes a rehash of PCIA vs. CTIA, PCIA and Shorecliff Communications need to merge their tower shows into one event. It’s the best thing for the industry, and both groups have a vested interest in seeing the tower sector succeed.
PCIA’s conference earlier this month in Florida seemed successful-more than 1,000 attendees and conference sessions that were well attended. However, PCIA didn’t attract a lot of vendors (56 were listed in the conference guide, although some of those were strictly meeting rooms, and few companies had elaborate displays.) Shorecliff expects a couple thousand attendees and counts nearly 150 exhibitors. (Some nay sayers have said Shorecliff should expect fewer exhibitors next year.)
The tower sector needs a show. It may even be able to support two shows. But it’s ridiculous to expect the tower sector to support two shows within the same month as is the case this year and next year. While some companies have chosen to support PCIA rather than Shorecliff, others are vehemently supporting Shorecliff. They are quick to point out that Shorecliff was there at the beginning and gave them a voice when no one else would. PCIA’s forte is giving tower companies a needed lobbying voice in Washington.
I’m not here to say how the details should be hammered out or pick which company/association should benefit more. My point is that having two competing shows doesn’t really benefit anyone in the industry. We’ve seen it before when CTIA scheduled its IT fall show the same week as PCIA’s trade show. Unfortunately, that also ended up coinciding with the week of Sept. 11, 2001, but it also forced PCIA to change direction and begin focusing solely on infrastructure.
Looking ahead, some people fear having two shows could force a split between an East Coast/West Coast mentality. Who knows?
The tower sector needs to get carriers, large tower firms and smaller nuts-and-bolts companies together at one venue to meet, argue and connect as an industry. The tower industry faces huge siting challenges ahead, as well as other challenges.
Someone once told me that the people in the tower sector of the wireless industry are the nicest. It’s time for this nice industry to steer clear of a situation that could divide it in an ugly way.
