CHICAGO-Was last week’s Personal Communications Industry Association GlobalXChange show a success?
It depends on who you ask. While some exhibitors complained loudly about the lack of traffic, others said they received more attention since some traditional large vendors opted out of the show.
Before the event, PCIA President Jay Kitchen promised a show about convergence-the bringing together of voice and data services, and he couldn’t overemphasize the networking opportunities and the ability to meet people.
Last year’s PCIA show was a disappointment to most large vendors, which chose this year to stay away because of previous poor attendance. Big names like L.M. Ericsson, Lucent Technologies Inc. and Nokia Corp. declined to exhibit again. As a result, PCIA announced a new direction for the convention, renaming it PCIA GlobalXChange and positioning it as a wireless Internet show.
Since then, PCIA has been busy wooing those players anxious to target the wireless Internet space. About 660 companies exhibited in Chicago last week. Out of those, 250 exhibitors were new to the show, Kitchen said during Wednesday’s keynote address. And more than 200 had not previously exhibited at any wireless show. Kitchen also indicated that he saw what he expected to see-people networking with each other on the show floor. Kitchen was not available for an interview at RCR Wireless News press time, nor would the association release show attendance numbers.
Companies like Handspring Inc. and Palm Inc. enjoyed a lot of traffic at their booths. But many of the traditional exhibitors-like antenna and component companies that have participated in PCIA’s shows for years-were clearly irritated.
“It’s a show about gadgets,” said one antenna company executive. He isn’t coming back next year.
PCIA’s plans for next year’s show include separating wireless Internet companies from the traditional exhibitors. Some traditional exhibitors said they hoped they wouldn’t be lost in the wireless Internet hype next year.
Still other traditional exhibitors were pleased with floor traffic and felt they had received more attention now that larger vendors have opted out of the show. One indicated he will reserve space next year and will simultaneously exhibit at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association’s I.T. show, which conflicts with PCIA’s 2001 show.
The gadget announcements were few. Perhaps the biggest announcement was from Handspring, which introduced the VisorPhone Springboard expansion module that combines voice communications with the handheld computer. Companies appear to be gearing up for the I.T. show in two weeks. A slew of embargoed announcements for that event are flooding the RCR news bureau.
“The PCIA show demonstrated a shift in paradigm, and a lot of big Internet players and PDA manufacturers are bringing in a new angle to what wireless means,” said Larry Swasey, senior analyst with Allied Business Intelligence in New York. “While some people may be displeased with the show overall, you have to realize this place is an incubator.”
Scheduled keynote speaker Chris Galvin, chairman of Motorola Inc., missed his speaking engagement at Wednesday’s keynote session because of a customer meeting. Janiece Webb, senior vice president and general manager of Motorola’s Personal Networks Group, filled in. InfoSpace CEO Arun Sarin missed his speaking engagement Wednesday as well, due to a personal emergency, PCIA said.
Siemens said CTIA said would be its primary focus next year.
LG Telecom had a large, but empty booth space at the show. Instead, the company had a sign indicating a hospitality suite offsite.
