PALM Expo is India’s foremost show for the pro audio, lighting, live sound, install sound, musical instruments and AV integration industry. Backed by a legacy of 10 successful years, PALM Expo continues to serve the Indian pro audio and lighting market by offering the best from the global players. PALM Expo is an amalgamation of creative talent and trade. The Expo was envisaged as a platform to convene creative and recording talent. It shares a common vision to liberate the Indian youth and music by imparting learning and technology to thousands of visitors who wish to secure a future in the music industry.
From live sound to install sound, to cinema/ auditorium sound, to lighting equipments, to audio music production, to DJ systems, PALM Expo showcases products across all categories in the pro audio, lighting, live sound, install sound and music production segments.
PALM Expo 2011 gains recognition among pro audio industry players in India. Attains critical acclaim and compared at par with established International Expos.
Exhibitors euphoric with footfall and quality of visitors on all three days. Expectations of a better, bigger and larger display fulfilled in increase of International participation and debut of new international and Indian brands
Increase in visitors recorded for the eleventh consecutive year. 22% increase for the third year in final visitor count recorded. Exhibitor participation grows by 50%. Net booth space pegged at a staggering 40% more than 2010.
PALM Expo 2011 ended with a successful showcasing in its 11th year running in India. The annual event supported by the global industry was held from 2 – 4 June 2011, at the prestigious Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. It’s been a record setting trend each year since the PALM Expo was launched in 2001. Last three years has seen a noteworthy increase in Visitor attendance as well as Exhibitor participation. The quality of the visitors and their interest shown in the products on display was reaffirmed by exhibitors who were highly satisfied with the satisfied visitor interest registered as high as 95%.
The PALM Expo is growing and represents the business opportunities that are in the offing in the developing Indian economy. With new players entering the field and the options of new competitive brands available, it is seen as a definitive sign of a healthy and mature industry which is ready to make huge investments. The market is huge in terms of PA projects and promises a sizeable share for every player.
PALM witnessed a jump from 75 exhibitors in 2010 to 117 Exhibitors in 2011 – an increase by 56% from last year; 15,959 total attendees in 2011, to the PALM + Integrate and Musician Expo; 8,424 visitors to the PALM + Integrate (a symbiotic co-located platform launched this year) – an increase by 30% from last year, 15000 sqmts gross space across the three expos– an increase of 30% on last year and 48% increase in booth net space from last year speaks of the huge potential of the growing Indian market. The record breaking growth in each delivery of the expo in 2011 re-sounds the strength of the PALM Expo and its co-located Integrate Expo and the Musician Expo. The PALM Expo has stamped its importance as the show that cannot be missed in this part of the world. PALM Expo is India’s globally reputed, acknowledged and established Expo, instrumental in the development and growth of the entertainment technology and event industry in India. The next big market is India, as the world sees it.
Talking of enhancements delivered this year the Expo witnessed a restructured floor plan with the Musician Expo given its due importance and identity in a separate hall. The Musician Expo was well represented with booths of several new players in this segment. This separation enabled a perfect environment for the PALM Exhibitors who appreciated and welcomed the decision that helped bring noise levels under control as per international standards. Anchor exhibitors and international companies noted this aspect as a key factor in their evaluation, and appreciated the improvement and attention paid to achieving this end.
Another accomplishment that was lauded by the Exhibitors and Visitors was the further control of noise levels with line arrays not allowed to play at high volumes in the PALM Expo Hall. Arrangements were made by the organizers for an Open Air Line Array Demo feature located in the expo grounds, which was a huge success. Running on demo timings, seven brands were rigged playing music throughout the day to the hundreds of keen buyers in sound rental companies that attended. With this added highlight, visitors were delighted as it reminded them of such spaces experienced at expos overseas.
The PALM DJ Competition making its debut was appreciated by the DJ Community that has been religiously attending the PALM Expo year after year. The DJ Competition backed by the industry expo brings credibility to the competition and recognition to the participants associated.
The support for original brand and design was clearly emphasized at the PALM Expo. The PALM Expo platform clearly defines support of copyright in product design and technology and in achieving sanctity of the international reputation enjoyed by the PALM Expo.
Among other new features at the PALM Expo was the International Lounge for the Overseas Visitors to sit and relax. The Central Plaza carved out right in the middle of the massive exhibit space was utilized right through the day by visitors who took some time out and relaxed on the sofas lined up.
The PALM Performance Arena was a huge hit with the audiences. Stage, Sound and Light was setup using the world’s renowned brands from Harman Professional and others. Featuring a three day programme of sponsored internationally renowned artists, and new award winning talent, performers enthralled the audiences that turned up thru the expos’ three days. Event managers were exposed to the latest in stage sound and lighting and staging gear and technology. The shows ran houseful and the fan following for each artist was truly inspiring. International acts were wooed by the audience that comprised of band members, musicians and music lovers.
A Laser & Light show at the PALM Performance Arena on all three days showcased the latest in lasers and lighting gear, technology and techniques.
The Conference and Seminar Sessions which have run parallel every year were well attended. Ten speakers from leading international brands presented papers on the latest products launched, the trends in technology and product specific applications.
Several Exhibitors conducted hourly workshops and clinics within their own spaces which were again well attended and conducted by professionals popular with the attendees.
The fifth edition of the IRAA (Indian Recording Arts Academy) Awards instituted by the PALM Expo years ago continued its presence with 22 awards presented in various categories. The IRAA Awards is the first ever music awards that recognizes the recording and engineering talent in India.
The Integrate Expo segment at the PALM Expo was well supported with leading brands showcasing the latest in ProAV, visual display technology, video projectors, integration design and installation services. The Kramer Class on Audio, Video and Control Technologies conducted by the Kramer AV Academy in co-operation with the PALM Expo was an overwhelming success. The classes chaired by internationally renowned design guru, Ranjit Singh based out of Singapore, saw a dedicated audience hungry for information attending 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on three days. Certificates were issued at the end of the three day class to all attendees.
CHINA PAVILLION
PALM Expo 2011 saw remarkable increase in participation by Chinese Companies. East International Exhibition Company Limited (EIECL) representing the PALM Expo in China had brought along Enping Austar Industrial Co. Ltd; Hangzhou Aierke Electronic Co. Ltd; Wuxi Changsheng Lighting Electrical Apparatus Factory and Yiwei Audio Equipment Manufactor to the China Pavilion.
Guangzhou Soundkong Electronics Co. Ltd; Taiden Industrial Co. Ltd; Turbo Power Audio and Weifa Trussing Co too participated with larger spaces at the PALM Expo 2011.
Herman Li a British Chinese musician, best known as the guitarist, songwriter and producer of the Grammy nominated power metal act DragonForce performed at the HARMAN Live Performance Arena.
Visitors were amazed at the enormity of the Expo. The excitement was doubled since they witnessed the maturity of the market and entry of the biggest brands’ latest equipment on display and an opportunity to feel the products with demos that gave a live experience to understand the unique features and technology incorporated. The Indian market is wide open and brand preference is democratic with competing brands sharing the market well. The Indian market has proved its depth in that most brands entering the country do so for the long term. For these reasons the PALM show is vibrant and represents a mature and serious market, attracting more companies each year, based on the conviction that the show brings in all the buyers and market.
Maharashtra, the North, the East, the South, visitors flocked in from every nook and corner of the country. Reactions were fantastic. 90% of all the visitors had a good experience and were happy that their purpose to visit the show was fruitful. Expectations were fulfilled on all fronts.
Anil Chopra, Managing Director, DCI, eyes the future challenges and opportunities of the PALM Expo in delivering a destination for pro audio to the next-gen sectors “We see the PALM as a preferred destination for pro audio solutions in digital broadcast, both in conventional content production as well in broadcast on all platforms, be it wi-max, or satellite delivery. The product range on exhibit will invite companies with pure audio engineering technology to join the PALM convention.”
Diversified will continue to invest in modernizing the show and providing a state of the art experience.
CCTV security, bar code registrations on line and onsite, digital signage’s, touch screen show guide, CD-ROM market info and show directory, show visitor analysis, internet streaming of the show in 2012 and many other initiatives are planned for the flagship event.
The PALM Expo along with the co-located Integrate Expo and Musician Expo will take place from 31 May to 2 June in 2012, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (E), Mumbai, India.
