Lloyd's list #1: AV trade associations
Peter Lloyd, 14 October 2009
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1 comment on this article.In the first in a regular series of top 10s from AV consulting editor Peter Lloyd, he picks the 10 trade associations in order of importance to AV suppliers, producers and users.
It's nearly 20 years since the then Minister for Trade, Michael Heseltine, declared that the government wanted to work with just one lead trade association in each sector. The only excuse for the a-v world's associations is that they represent many subtly-different sectors. The best of them now offer technical training and certification as well as codes of practice and marketing support for their members and their industry. I have listed the associations in the order of their probable importance to the widest-possible range of a-v suppliers, producers and users.
This list is just of trade associations - ie suppliers - although some of them are also open to users. For the moment, the listing omits user-only bodies.
InfoComm International
The 500lb gorilla of AV trade associations. Based in the USA but now very active in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australasia. Delivers sector-leading training/education and certification schemes and trade shows. Very active in the drive towards higher industry standards and promotes the industry through user events.
Membership: 5,000 members worldwide, 18 per cent of whom are outside North America. The largest proportion of members - 40 per cent - are systems integrators or dealers.
IVCA
International Visual Communications Association
UK-based association dealing with video and events production and digital media for corporates. Seeks to promote best practice through links with government and industry, and holds the main programme awards for the corporate video sector.
Membership: 1,000 producer members, 1500 ‘client associates'.
PLASA
Professional Lighting and Sound Association
Top association in the sound and lighting area, with certification, training programmes and the annual PLASA show.
Membership: 500 companies worldwide.
CEDIA
Custom Electronic Design Industries Association
The UK and European operations of CEDIA have grown in strength as the home theatre market has developed and now offer an annual UK trade show, awards, certification and training programmes. CEDIA is also one of the co-developers (with InfoComm) of the Integrated Systems Europe show.
Membership: 3,772 companies worldwide, 347 in EMEA.
BKSTS
British Kinematograph Sound & Television Society
The original UK technical body for the cinema, audio and television business has an important cross-over into the setting of standards that can be applied to a-v installations.
Membership: 1,200 members worldwide, 800 in the UK, split 50:50 between film and television.
IABM
International Association of Broadcast Manufacturers (IABM)
Major broadcast technology body handling television and audio. Has UK and European programmes and carries out economic studies as well as playing a major role in shows such as IBC.
Membership: 283 companies worldwide.
POPAI Digital
Point of Purchase Advertising International
The UK chapter was the first to spin off a digital signage sub-section of POPAI, which is an international point of sale organisation. Still very active, promoting conferences on the subject and research into digital signage's effectiveness.
Membership: 200 members in total, including agencies and clients. 40 members whose businesses are mainly concerned with digital signage.
HAE
Hire Association Europe
The a-v rental section of HAE is the most active body in the sector, with standard contracts, codes of practice and annual awards.
Membership: 174 members specifically concerned with a-v hire, out of a total of 850 members with 3,000 hire outlets.
BIMA
British Interactive Media Association
Does what it says on the can - concerned with interactive media for corporate and entertainment sectors. Grew out of the original British Interactive Video Association and still has annual sector awards.
Membership: ‘Hundreds of organisations and individual members from all sectors of the market'.
The Screen Forum
Digital signage body concerned with producing for digital signage and the role of agencies and retailers. Has regular events, plus newsletters and a useful directory.
Membership: 60 corporate members.
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