By Biz Fast Tracker Jerry Grossman
You can call me a grizzly CES/PMA show veteran. Without revealing my age, my combined trips to both of these shows are nearing 25. And while CES and PMA have historically been very separate and distinct, the shift over the years in the imaging category to digital has annually raised the “why PMA?” questions.
Well, after traveling the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 7–10, now more than ever I can see why the Consumer Electronics Show should never and will never replace the PMA trade show and convention.
CES is a great, if not overwhelming, show, if you are into consumer electronics. It was brimming this year with 3D technology, phones, e-frames, laptops, audio systems and Lady Gaga. But make no mistake, CES is not an imaging show. Not only is it not an imaging show, it makes imaging seem like a stepchild forced to sit at the bridge table while the adults feast in the dining room.
Imaging is not the hero of CES. I would characterize it almost as an afterthought. Two specific experiences crystallized this for me.
First, as I approached the incredible Samsung booth at the 2010 CES, in search of their terrific new NX10 digital camera, I sauntered through the booth, admiring Samsung’s dizzying array of flat panels, frames, 3D technology, home electronics and “green” initiatives. I casually asked a Samsung employee where the digital cameras were. “Back over there, I think,” he said, pointing to the far right corner of the booth. As I made my way through the booth’s maze of onlookers, I was still in search of the NX10. “Try over there,” said the next Samsung employee. Still no cameras. After literally four tries (no joke), I finally found the digital camera area, encompassing roughly 10% of the Samsung booth. (By the way, the NX10 didn’t disappoint when I finally got to see it.)
The other experience was my review of the major keynote addresses delivered at the show: Steve Ballmer of Microsoft; Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford; Paul Otellini, Intel’s president; Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Nokia’s president and CEO; and Qualcomm’s Dr. Paul Jacobs—all important people in the CE industry. And each had nothing to say about imaging. Hmmmmm.
As an industry, we have created some of the most incredible technology, especially in the last 10 years. Digital imaging has gone from a hobby to the mainstream. The “family photographer” moniker no longer belongs to one person in the family. It belongs to the kids, teens, parents and grandparents. We have cameras that will refuse to take a picture unless everyone is smiling, and no one is blinking! We should be given the stage to beat our collective chests to the world. PMA does that.
So, what arguments am I hearing from some manufacturers for going to CES and thinking about leaving PMA in the dust?
“We can see everyone at CES.” Sure, most of the big-box teams attend CES, and manufacturers are likely to see them there. But what are they seeing about our industry—imaging products pushed into the corner of booths and major manufacturers residing in meeting rooms? Is this a good message for the power of imaging in the lives of people? Is a meeting what it’s all about?
“Attendance is down at PMA.” Sure, the last year was a tough one; attendance was down everywhere. But those who come to PMA in 2010 can witness a vibrant industry that stands on its own. They can see the best and brightest minds in our business. And they can show their support for our industry, and the photo dealers who commit 100% of their time and resources to the business of imaging.
“Why can’t they combine CES and PMA?” Why should they? So they can stick imaging into a corner? Will Kodak and Canon and Panasonic and Samsung all agree to take their booths apart, and reside all in one “Imaging” section of CES? Not in our lifetimes.
“Who’s coming to PMA anyway?” Besides dealers, how about key influencers, like the media? Or bloggers and analysts. Or entrepreneurs looking to make deals. Or software companies looking for new opportunities. How many stories about imaging products were produced by the major media during CES? Not too many, because the story at CES is not imaging. It never will be. Didn’t see anything about cameras on CNN, NBC, Fox or in USA Today or the New York Times. (And all of these outlets cover PMA).
Has the industry changed? Sure it has. I’ve seen and heard all about the paradigm shift, and I think the PMA organization has to relook at the show and adapt itself a bit more to reality. But once per year, the PMA show puts the imaging industry on the world stage. All eyes point to our industry, and it allows us to beat our chests and show off what we can do. Canon’s decision to not be a part of PMA 2010 is a curious one, and one which they might regret. (I hope to see them reconsider for 2011.)
This year Anaheim will be brimming with the likes of everyone else—Nikon, HP, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Kodak, Olympus, Tamron and GE, along with hundreds of others. All will be supporting our industry, and the dealers and vendors who make it happen.
So please, enough of CES overtaking the PMA show. There’s good reason for both and an incredibly important reason for PMA to continue as the cornerstone show of our industry.
Print | posted @ Thursday, January 21, 2010 10:25 AM