NEWS NEWS
Covid-19 decimates 2020 Trade shows postponed Meyerheeds Sound increases presence in Asia Hills Amber warning signal trade Covid-19 show calendar amid outbreak
ASIA: Meyer Sound has set its international partners. Providing distribution in key territories throughout Hills AV business into its existing Integrated sights firmly on the growing Asian direct access to factory support the world,–both Apartdesign and Community are Solutions division. ‘We look forward to market with the formation of Meyer including services, tech now united with Biamp at Jands. Having – welcoming the Hills staff into our company, Sound Asia. Headquartered in support and sales management CHINA transitioned to either a sole or the brands represented by Hills into our Singapore, the new venture will means we can offerdistributor the personal The outbreak of the dealer-direct distribution system to better portfolio and many new customers into a provide marketing andCovid-19, technical emanating connection to our regional from theoperations Chinese city of Wuhan, support specific countries, Australia and relationship with Amber Technology,’ he support throughout thehas spread customers that Meyer Sound is to thousands of people a death toll New Zealand (ANZ) timely into this said. ‘We are 100% focused on serving the region, coordinating withwith national known for falls worldwide.’ –distributors to date – reaching thousand. category. ‘Through ourtopartnership withnew AV markets in Australia and New Zealand, extendingover fromtwo Australia In addition setting up the Reacting to the public health emergency of Jands, weSingaporean are able to offer in and New Zealand, across Southeast office,customers Meyer Sound international concern declaredsales by the World the regionhas ourannounced full productnew portfolio from a Asia and beyond. The existing and extended Health and single distributor – including Aparthas retail and office inOrganization Mumbai will (WHO) continue tocomplying partnerships. EV Group been with the requests of several Chinese hospitalityappointed loudspeakers, large operate. as theCommunity manufacturer’s government bodies, a trio of growth trade shows – venue loudspeakers Cambridge ‘We have seen tremendous distributor inand Vietnam, whileSound PL+S the past GETShow and Beijing Management solutions,’ announced Biamp in thisGuangzhou, region over the few years Numthip Associates will serve InfoComm China – have all beenthat postponed president,as CEO andSound’s co-chairman, Rashid and we’re committed to building Meyer pro markets until further into notice. Skaf. ‘Ourdistributor customersforthere will now have a momentum the future,’ said Thailand. Deco Andrew Poh, Salmah El Haissane and Chris D’bais Several exhibitors preparing for Prolight + single point of contact, giving access Meyer Sound’s senior vice president 2000 in Thailand andthem PT Karta AUSTRALIA Sound (PL+S)John Guangzhou, which was set to access to all countries in the to superior service, complete solutions and of marketing, McMahon. Jaya Elektrindo in Indonesia have quick Arup and, most recently, as an is a no-brainer,’ explained Meyer WORLD Following approval from its shareholders, take place from 19–22 February at the region.’ Area enjoys a strong market leadership position. an exceptional experience.’ ‘We are expanding our company been named as distributors for the application engineer at Harman Sound’s sales manager for Oceania With teams having attended NAMMThe and Amber Technology Limited has Despite announcing a postponed date just He is joined by A & Bour China & Export Fairacquired Complex, Hills MD and CEO David LenzInternational. commented Foundedresidential in 1970, Jands a presence withImport a full team dedicated home comprises cinema market. technical team in Singapore and Southeast Asia, Chris D’bais. ISE, the first news to affect us atGuangzhou Pro AVL Asia the Hills Audio Visual (AV) business. one month later, Messe Technology, Frankfurt haswith received emails from the PL+S the sale to aAmber its variety of Long-term facilities inSingaporean multiple locations to to business development, design distributor, will be ledthat by Andrew Poh, Salmah Elnow Haissane, who will serve ‘With a growing and highly skilled was that the Guangzhou shows – Prolight + Under the terms of the agreement, cancelled the and itPRreturns organising committee confirming thatthe the sole focus on2020 the AVedition industry, more serve ANZ market. ‘We’re proud services and after-sales technical Group, meanwhile, hasto be technical sales support specialist as and and marketing coordinator in team based in Asia, we will not onlythe Coda Sound and GET, due for tosuspended take place in February majority of AV – including next year (13–16 2021).the trade show hadpersonnel been towho joins than 30 years of April experience, was a positive chosen toalso represent Biamp’s distribution full line of support, specifically Asia and due been allocated Meyer Sound with new Meyer Sound Asia office. support local customers but also –Oceania. were both indefinitely. The same sales, business product Blankand Canvas’ Lawn customers managed toand the ongoing epidemic. The emailto noted that outcome for theRichard employees, products,’responsibilities commented Jands GM, Geoff Thepostponed bestdevelopment, solution was for Malaysia. systems design integration ‘For a solutions-based tech global tours coming through the fate soon Meyer befelland InfoComm infrom management technical staff –Beijing, have attend turned becompany, – so far –having more boots on the committee ‘received a China notice the the Hillsout AV to business. ‘Hills Smith. ‘We’ve worked together for almost establish Sound Asia with an experiencesuppliers gainedwhat’s asofan acoustic region and help coordinate large which at Singapore, this of point isa hoping go ahead from been to Sydney-based Amber the only Asian industry gathering thisinyear, Department Commerce oftoGuangdong has aconsultant long history the two years,www.meyersound.com building a great relationship. office transferred in hub city with and AV design for of participation the ground in the same zones director, installation Hillstime managing Davidprojects Lenz working with Thelooking Covid-19 epidemic will, of growing course, remind 28–30 September. Technology. In addition, the majority attending a much-reduced ABU inGETShow Kuala Province on 24 January’ and that ‘dueof toAV AV markets in aAustralia and New Zealand,’ forward to further postponed. In statement from InfoCommAsia plans to reveal new dates for I’m many of the SARS outbreak in 2003. Pro AVL In late February, took bleak turn brands distributed by Hills inaAustralia and Lumpur in early March. the outbreak of thethings Novel Coronavirus, the he explained. ‘Our future the health, the business, especially with the addition organisers, they stated thatlies theinshow’s and this isasa soon wonderful opportunity for at the entrance the show as possible. KOBA 2019 is officially declared open of the COEX halls Asia’s Richard Lawn ‘Forsound those who for Frankfurt + under Sound the ascontrol major New Zealand are now Amber NAB cancelled its and Aprilsecurity 2020the show andon Office for the Prolight Novel Coronavirus technical services technology of loudspeakers for notes: installed postponement complies with Notice us to bring together outbreak two passionate While the Covid-19 has ledand to the remember thenow SARS virus 17from years ago, the exhibitors started out and the Technology umbrella. returns next year (11–14 Aprilpleased 2021), Show New York in KOBA Palm and prevention unitpulling in Guangdong hasreality sectors, andLarge-Scale so we are very to applications available Biamp.’ and InterBEE (18–20 November). Tokyo, Suspending Exhibition Activities professional teams to create a stronger postponements of October. these shows in and China, emergence thepostponement latest outbreakofdepicts ofHills’ the situation beyond China to dawn. have decision to exitall the AVbegan business meanwhile enhance the NABAV Expo for midandour late May requested to suspend large-scale trade found hoping a issued new to opportunity for our reeling fromofthe the Olympic in Guangzhou by the Guangzhou organisation that willthe better serve other India, showsscheduled around world, such as ISE, disturbing parallels. emitted www.ambertech.com.au follows a strategic and operational respectively, held on valiantly relationship until mid-April and economic events inhas Guangdong’. It colleagues, customers and suppliers Games, may be aBoth position to host final Municipal Commerce Bureau. GETShowat customers and manufacturer partners.’ have gone ahead as scheduled – although such asinthe HD viruses 25 here in the from WORLD: Sennheiser opened review important between Chinese markets cats are www.biamp.com that recommended Hills focus on its Health Amber when both announced they would was the decision of the PL+S Guangzhou Technology.’ 2020 show onlycivet timeis will tell.sold organisers are also reportedly working with Following the saleSennheiser of Hills AV, andcancel keeping some special measures were taken. șov. We are șov.then; Iwhere think this a great Braby a new manufacturing plant in and Bra and prior to the onset offeatures Chinese New division and its to larger and technical until (Palm India 27–29 Maythe 2021; organising committee tosecurity then suspend the Amber Peter Amos saidnew the The factsource our annual calendar such the Poly Technology World TradeMD Center Expo to find in line2021 withSystems Biamp’s global commitment Integrated Events managing director already seeing benefits ofwww.hills.com.au thespread of pride for the team and Romania due commence www.jands.com.au Year. SARS managed totobreak out to cities services Distribution division where it KOBA dates TBC). Meanwhile, theproduct pandemic show to support the of government’s epidemic company wasshow looking forward to merging a plethora of international trade dates for the once it is declared safethe to streamline sales, support and Mike Blackman called on outstanding exhibitors and city’s infrastructure a testament what weshows have the first assembly products with largealready ethnic Chinese populations, such as took a scythe through of academic prevention efforts. underlines the hugely sociable and global to do so. attendees to observe fewremainder straightforward andathe its industrial and achieved.’ in November 2019. Located in Hong Kong, Singapore, Vancouver and also Toronto, Q2 and into including ‘The health our show nature of the AV industry. Resourceful Just a few days later, InfoCommAsia measures toQ3, ensure a safeAES andVienna, healthy the of factory has attendees already is resources.’ The Romanian factory will Brașov, where approximately one in 10 sufferers Broadcast Asia (292020. September – 1successful October our primary concern,’ said Judy Cheung, companies finding virtual ways to released a statement in which it postponed environment at ISE The show’s been completely staffed with 116 ‘Following the be are responsible for products ultimatelyincluding died. From a HD business perspective, 2020), InfoComm (16–18 2021), deputy general manager Messe showcase products and conduct seminars. the 2020 edition of Beijing InfoComm China, organisers were reportedly in daily contact employees that will be of responsible phased June introduction of the 600 headphone aov, prolonged health epidemic is catastrophic. Pro (5–7 August 2021) andin BrașBut Frankfurt (HK). ‘We believe this the will always need amarket, forum which was scheduled to take place from withAVL theirIndonesia venue (the RAI), airlines and public it industry for the manual assembly of decision manufacturing activity series for the audiophile WORLD Hotels, restaurants, entertainment complexes, Integrate (24–26 August 2021). isboth the best arrangement under the current for connections and new, innovative 26–28 March. ‘While we understand that health authorities while monitoring the official is great to see this manufacturing professional and consumer as well old as professional products of its trading three brands – the Milos Just weeks products, after Group announced While Four Industries will the restructure bars and including airlines are all feeling Area Four Industries. ‘Our current partners Further down line, and keeping circumstances. We Prolyte are communicating collaborations, partnerships and The this mayArea cause inconvenience, safety of advice from thethe WHO, the European Centre base has already become acapabilities vital electronics including the HD 300 Propinch. studio that it with couldour no longer guarantee the Structural Systems, Litec and TOMCAT – were Prolyte’s management, production news thatmonitoring Cathay Pacific is already making remain equally important for us.point, I trust that options for 2020 open this are closely partner, STE, willcontinuity creativity. We hope to see you at one our exhibitors attendees is and of prime forpleasure Disease Control andatof Prevention and the in place, it is a great to focus all and specialise itsand four part Sennheiser’s production the German company’s HD and 25 DJ, headphones and of business itsseries failure to meet and solidified. James Thomas strategy, ‘Prolyte will keep its radical some weeks after the outbreak in two years, will InfoComm be number oneThe inVioleta combined BIRTV (19–22Prolyte August), India announce the new showPro date as soon asproduction it is importance of themcuts in the notXS tooWireless distant future. and wethat made thisto decision with Dutch public health authority (RIVM). welcome our new colleagues sites. it states strategy,’ furthered HDthe 600 and HDfollowing 300 the new Digital –a financial obligations, theXSW-D company has been Engineering came on board in 2014. DNA intact’. speaks volumes.’ customer satisfaction.’ (2–4 PLASA (6–8 September), confirmed.’ Meanwhile, we send our very best to for trade their best interests Richard RAI’sSeptember), onsite medical teams and șov plant. to the Sennheiser family,’ said ‘I am very happy to join thein mind,’ said Balint, GM ofdoctors the Brawere headphones and new wireless microphone series acquired AreaGETShow, Four Industries. ‘Weexecutive will invest in the development Prolyte Area Four Industries was created in 2012, IBC (11–15 September), Broadcast Meanwhile, the which wasa result, everywhere, all of whom Tan, director of InfoCommAsia. ‘We instructed how to symptoms ‘Inidentify particular, it India is anand honourshow organisers DanielofSennheiser, co-CEO aton official opening of our new wireless by microphone series. TheAs musicians and videographers. www.getshow.com.cn www.areafourindustries.com Prolyte becomes brand to join the as continue a brand, as newfluid ideas and ‘It is also when the engineering expertise, (8–10 October), AES/NAB New York set to take place of inthe thefifth days PL+S are providing online resources, advice will to well monitor situation dealimportant with any potential cases and additional șovbefore plant todesign be responsible for creating Sennheiser. manufacturing base here in as inthis establishment the Bra www.infocomm-china.com www.prolyte.com Area Four group. products,’ František Zykan, CEO experience, knowledge and manufacturing (21–23 LDI (23–25 October), Guangzhou from 16–19 February Polyșov. With and support to their members in these as itthe evolves and keep all exhibitors and of the start hand-sanitising facilities were put in place products fullassured team now www.sennheiser.com is part of Industries Sennheiser’s strategyat the Bra legendary Sennheiser to recognise of anOctober), www.prolightsound-guangzhou.com No such scenes willExpo, be witnessed in Las Vegasattendees this year updated.’ Prolight + Sound World Trade Center has also been unprecedented times. across the venue.Shanghai (28–30 October)
Since we published our March/April editions, the world as we knew it has changed beyond recognition. Skies, roads and railway tracks are practically silenced as travel grinds to a halt, while bustling cities have turned to ghost towns. Early indicators that this would be a year like no other for our industry came in the form of trade show postponements and cancellations. Once these started, it was only a matter of time before others followed suit. Caroline Moss presents a timeline of event cancellations, with new dates in brackets where available.
Sennheiser opens new assembly plant in Romania
Prolyte acquired by Area Four Industries
1/4 Horizontal
May–June 2020 4 PRO PRO AVL AVL ASIA ASIA Januar March–April 2020y 2020 4 y–Februar November–December 2019
