PMA and CES Announce Colocation at 2012 International CES
PMA announced on May 4, 2011 a partnership agreement with the CEA, owner and producer of the International CES, to move the September 2011 PMA International Convention and Trade Show (a.k.a. CliQ 2011) to colocate at the 2012 International CES, which scheduled for January 10-13 in Las Vegas.
According to a press release distributed by PMA, PMA@CES will offer industry-specific content and display products representing all aspects of digital imaging, including the educational programs that PMA is known for.
“PMA colocation with CES creates a great opportunity for our combined audiences to learn from each other, grow, and take full advantage of the integration and connectivity of personal content (in the form of digital photography) and home entertainment,” said Ted Fox, executive director, PMA. “This convergence will expand with continued enhancements to camera phones and tablets.”
Gary Shapiro, president and CEO for CEA said: “This collaboration will significantly enhance the 2012 International CES digital imaging product offerings for our retail and other audiences,” adding, “Technology is speeding the rapid convergence of digital photography and home entertainment systems. The breadth and scope of digital imaging product offerings that PMA will now bring to CES will complement and further expand the extensive growth of CES in this product category.”
According to Fox, “Our agreement [with CES] is an excellent example of two trade associations coming together to constructively and proactively address challenges and provide new opportunities.”
— D.B.
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PMA Launches CliQ and the CliQworld.com website
It seems there’s a new photography tradeshow in town. Well, its actually a rebranded show. The Photo Marketing Association’s annual show, which had previously been for the trade only, has now been rebranded from PMA 2011 to CliQ 2011.
The CliQ show, which runs from September 8-10, 2011 in Las Vegas will feature presentations from well known photographers, workshops by industry experts, photo walks, seminars and the world’s largest annual photo trade show. The CliQ 2011 tradeshow will feature interactive zones, spotlighting technology, tips and techniques in these major areas: the Shooting Zone, Mobile Zone, Software tutorial Zone, Innovation Zone, 3D Zone, and Video Zone.
According to Ted Fox, executive director and CEO of PMA, the show organizers, “The PMA convention will continue to offer the same leading-edge programming for the retailers, custom framers, studios and chain stores.” He adds, “PMA members will recognize classic convention features, like the DIMA Printer Shootout, the DIMA Photo Book Showcase, Retailer Hot Picks, Photographer Hot Picks, DIMA Innovative Product Awards, and the Official Business Session.”
The GoingPro Bootcamp photography business seminar will also be featured at CliQ 2011, designed to assist the aspiring pro gain the knowledge and business know-how needed to be successful. In addition to graduates of photography programs, a growing number of soccer moms, or what PMA calls Jennifer, the Gen X mom, are becoming more educated about photography and becoming part time shooters. With the recent addition of the somewhat recently formed Professional Wedding and Studio Photographers Association International (PWSPI) to the PMA family, the association has expanded its reach to the pro photographer and videographer. PWSPI was founded by industry veterans Skip Cohen and Scott Bourne.
The mainstay of the Photo Marketing Association is the retailer and lab owner segments that make up a large part of their membership. The association plans on providing a lot of content on the cliqworld.com website that ties site visitors back to their local dealers, for both educational opportunities as well as a marketing tool.
The first three days of the CliQ tradeshow, September 8-10, will be open to the trade only, which includes professional photographers, imaging retailers, lab owners and custom framers. DIMA and other regular pre-PMA show programming will be offered as usual. A day-long educational program for photographers will be held on September 9, and the GoingPro Bootcamp will be held September 10-11. The show floor will be open to enthusiasts only on September 10.
CliQ’s more than just a show
According to the press release, CliQ is a community, united by passion for still and motion images. It’s the source for all things photography and all levels of photographers; featuring industry news, product reviews and more. CliQ creates direct dialogue between manufacturers, retailers and photographers to help them learn, discover and share. The website cliqworld.com will present all that’s happening in imaging. “CliQ is a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week commitment on the part of the association to provide content and tools for everyone involved in photography, from consumers to aspiring pros, to retailers and professional labs,” says Fox. The CliQworld.com website offers how-to articles, news, an event calendar, contests, information about CliQ 2011—with more to be added in the future.
