Our report of events at Digital Signage Expo 2018 is one of those good news / bad news affairs. Let’s start with the bad news: recently, almost every show report kicks off with the “record attendance” piece and then moves on to the litany of ‘amazing’ product launches – not this one. Attendance declined to 4,032. – and this despite co-location with- the GlobalShop, Cinamacon and Pizza Marketplace events. And the good news? Organisers report the highest buyer attendance percentage in the 15-show history, with 93.3% of total attendance comprised of end-users, system integrators, and advertising/brand executives.
End-users alone accounted for nearly 45% of the audience, which was a higher percentage than 2017. This fact is revealing as brand managers and agencies face up to the challenge of providing experiences in sectors notoriously voracious of novelty.
While the exhibition played its part, with positive comments about the quality of the audience from most. But it was the seminars that provided inspiration for those seeking something new for their next campaign. For example. Michelle Collins, president and executive creative director for A Non-Agency, spoke on the topic: ‘Facial Recognition Technology: Does it Have a Place in Luxury Beauty Experiences?’ Collins discussed insights, lessons learned and perspectives on the use of facial recognition technology for a millennial audience based on the traveling Lancome Pop-Up, which leveraged various technologies to include facial recognition.
In the same showfloor theatre, Manolo Almagro, Managing Partner of Q Division, presented: ‘The Role of AI, Machine Learning, Robots in the Future of Connected Commerce.’ This session looked at the use of machine learning, artificial intelligence and robots in connected commerce experiences. The session highlighted a global view on what companies are doing in this space, how it’s being applied and measured. In conclusion, Almagro identified who’s been successful – and who’s learned from their mistakes.
And just to give an incline of the breadth of factors impacting the digital signage business can be, Kevin Foreman of INRIX told delegates about likely outcome of self-driving cars. These will cause drivers to take their eyes off the road and potentially never beyond their dashboard. Foreman listed the changes necessary in the OOH to survive and thrive in a self-driving world
Exhibition report
But what of the exhibition? Exhibitors were generally happy. Burr Smith, CEO and president at Broadsign saw a year-on-year improvement: “We’ve been exhibiting at DSE for 13 years now, and this was another successful conference. The quality of exhibitors, speakers and panels continues to improve, and we always have a wonderful time meeting with customers and partners, both old and new. We’re already looking forward to next year.”
First time exhibitor Chad Brown, CEO of XOGO said: “As a first-time exhibitor, we were pleased to participate in this year’s Digital Signage Expo and new product showcase. Our booth was heavily trafficked, and we had countless conversations about the XOGO platform and our new low-cost media player, XOGO Mini. We’re already in continuing discussions with a number of potential clients. See you next year!”
Around the booths
Among the specific exhibitors, Zytronic unveiled its new range of multitouch controllers. The new controllers allow for touch screens to be designed with ultra-narrow inactive borders, and can improve the integration of contactless peripheral systems, such as NFC payment, or mobile phone charging stations.
Enplug and Syncromatics showed how they are modernising mass transit systems with innovative digital signage technology. Transit authorities around the U.S. are installing digital displays on buses and in bus shelters to provide real-time information to passengers. These displays show live information from different sources with bus arrival times, service alerts, and more to provide a crucial communication channel for improving the transit user experience.
AgilQuest’s showed its latest workplace booking software, the Agilquest Forum, On the Intel booth. Users can make a conference room reservation using the Forum on Intel-powered, Windows-based tablets by ASI Signage, an AgilQuest partner. The cloud-based, reservation management software joins the technology providers on display at DSE as a recent inclusion to Intel’s IoT Market Ready Solutions partner program.
Samsung was at the show spreading awareness of its Nexshop Behaviour Sensing technology. This is designed to create effective marketing with real-time customer data analytics and to support effective marketing decisions and enhance your store management with objective customer behaviour analysis. Nexshop Behaviour Sensing collects and analyses data on in-store customers and their preferences. Retailers can allocate staff more strategically and confirm effectiveness of marketing efforts.
BrightSign demonstrated its latest firmware (v7.0), which supports several new advanced features, including full-resolution (4K) graphics, JavaScript objects, advanced audio routing and GenLock for video wall synchronization and edge blending in projection mapping. BrightSign’s booth also featured a variety of displays using the BrightSign Built-In Digital Signage Module (HS123); conference room scheduling solutions by partners Signagelive, SCHOT, and App space; synchronised video walls with live social media streaming.
Userful launched Userful Cloud, a powerful solution giving customers complete centralised remote control and automation of their video walls. The new cloud management facility allows administrators to manage a multi-location deployment as a single system, centrally controlling what’s displayed on each video wall and each screen within that video wall. Operators who are remote from a video wall can now take control of the keyboard and mouse of that video wall just using their browser. They can also centrally manage content, schedule preset changes and view all their video walls in real time using a USB camera on site.
Altogether, DSE 2018 delivered the continuous flow of innovations demanded by the market. The attendance the increasingly specialist nature of high-end digital signage.
Digital Signage Summit Europe 2018
While DSE seems secure in its claim to be the world’s largest specialist digital signage event, you might feel that something held in Europe might be more relevant. At this year’s Digital Signage Summit Europe, more than 40 experts will explore the most compelling business strategies in the international Digital Signage and Digital out of Home industry.
DSS Europe focuses on a conference theme of ‘Digital Storytelling – Changing the Narrative with Digital Signage.’ The two-day event will explore how digital storytelling and digital touchpoints are adding value through improving customer engagement and bridging the online and offline worlds.
DSS Europe takes place on 4-5 July, 2018 at the Sheraton Hotel, Frankfurt Airport, Germany. This will be the first time DSS Europe will be staged in a city other than in its long-term Munich base. The event is a joint venture between Integrated Systems Events, producers of the Integrated Systems Europe exhibition, and invidis consulting, a leading German digital signage consultancy.
Florian Rotberg, Managing Director, invidis consulting commented: “This year’s DSS Europe will explore how the latest digital signage technologies and business strategies are invigorating the retail sector and also how these are being absorbed by other market sectors where ‘storytelling’ and clear communications are key parts of their offerings. We will have two days of panels, presentations, awards and numerous networking opportunities. DSS Europe will be the place to learn, do business and to have some fun!”
Mike Blackman, Managing Director, Integrated Systems Events commented: “Each year DSS Europe delivers exclusive thought leadership and a unique business roadmap of the digital signage market. Plus, it offers a unique showcase of the latest technologies and solutions from both established market leaders and exciting start-ups. It’s a compelling combination.”
Confirmed Keynote Speakers include:
- Raphael Gielgen, Trendscout, Vitra
- Richard Offermann, Managing Director Client Sales, Ströer
- Thomas Koch, Managing Partner, TKD Media
- Michael Schneider, Senior Experience Designer, AV Technical Strategist, ESI Design
- Florian Rotberg, Managing Director, invidis consulting
- Stefan Schieker, Managing Director, ResultMC
For DSS Europe 2018, over 500 delegates are expected to attend. Typically, these consist of: integrators, hardware and software manufacturers, end customers, agencies, network operators and marketers. Due to the expanded content reach of this year’s event, DSS Europe will also be targeting architects, shop fitters and retail experts.
Running parallel to the conference, an exhibition takes place on both days with more than 30 leading Digital Signage companies showcasing their technologies and solutions. In addition to Digital Signage market leaders Samsung, NEC and LG, there will a number of specialist solutions providers present. These include: DynaScan, which offers light-intense high brightness displays; iiyama, which specialises in touchscreens; and imaging expert Epson. Plus, attendees can experience first time exhibitors such as media furniture provider, VCM Morgenthaler.
Confirmed exhibitors for DSS Europe include: Samsung, NEC, DynaScan, iiyama, Sharp, Navori, BenQ, Epson, Hagor, Peerless-AV, Lindy, VCM Morgenthaler, Concept, Stino and Matrox.
On both days, there will be an extensive networking lunch as well as a break in the afternoon. On 4 July, the day closes with an evening event to which all conference visitors are invited. In addition to the presentation of the ‘invidis Digital Signage Awards’ and launch of the ‘invidis Digital Signage Year Book’, visitors will be able to enjoy first-class catering. The evening event will take place in the Sheraton Hotel.
DSS Europe 2018, over 500 delegates are expected to attend. Typically, these consist of: integrators, hardware and software manufacturers, end customers, agencies, network operators and marketers.
Tickets and fees
Conference tickets are available until 30 April with an Early Bird Discount of 35% (€448.50 plus VAT).
The standard ticket price is €690 (plus VAT).
The DSS Europe conference ticket allows access on both days to the conference and exhibition area, as well as to the evening event on 4 July. Included in the conference ticket price are all beverages, lunch on both days and food and beverages at the evening event.
For further information and registration for the event, please visit https://digitalsignagesummit.org/europe/
