NSCA Expo Hits All-Time High
Apr 1, 2001 12:00 PM
NSCA Expo Hits All-Time High
Nearly 11,000 people attended the Systems IntegrationExpo™, March 8-10 at the Orange CountyConvention Center in Orlando, making it the most successful NSCAExpo to date. More than 500 exhibits featuring audio, video,security, lighting, data cabling and other commercial electronicsystems technology were highlighted at the 21st annual event.
“The 2001 NSCA Expo was a spectacular success. The showexceeded our expectations, [especially the] new record forattendance,” said Andy Musci, chairman for the NSCA Expo andpresident of Altel Systems in Brewster, New York.
Much of the show’s success was attributed to the exhibit floor’snew layout. Available for the first time since the NSCA Expo’sinception, larger booths and limited audio created an all-new lookto the floor. “We believe that the new, expanded format willset a benchmark for future shows. And we look forward to continuedsuccess with the NSCA filling a strong leadership role both withinour industry and also providing outreach to related businesses andindustries,” said Musci.
In addition to the 10 × 15-foot booths, the NSCA added twomore booth sizes, a 10 × 30 and a 20 × 30. Theavailability of more space assisted those exhibitors who haddifficulty displaying working technologies in a small space in thepast. Audio, which was limited to 72 dBA, also allowed exhibitorsto more effectively demonstrate their products, but not to thedetriment of the show. Levels were strictly monitored so one-on-oneconversations could be easily conducted.
NSCA Expo Education also had a banner year, with over 1,800class tickets sold. “NSCA Education couldn’t have beenbetter,” said Katie Chism, NSCA manager of educationalprograms. “Attendance was strong. We owe much of its successto the quality and dedication of our instructors.” More than400 hours of technical and business education took place at Expo,starting March 5 and ending on March 11. Tracks included theIntegrated Systems Application Seminars, Audio, Video,Security/Lighting, Connectivity, Business and Sales.
The 2002 NSCA Expo will take place April 25-27 at the ColoradoConvention Center in Denver. More information will be available atwww.nscaexpo.org later thisspring, and in this monthly section of S&VC. Topurchase a booth, or for more information on exhibiting, contactNSCA sales director Lee Langhorst at llanghorst@nsca.org or 847/265-8020.
May, June Dates Announced for BizSkills v.01
Following its very successful debut in January, BizSkills v.01,the NSCA’s newest training seminar for new and transitioningsystems contractor managers, will be held May 16-19 in Chicago andJune 20-23 in Rockleigh, New Jersey. The May and June classes markthe second sessions offered, and space is limited.
Addressing challenges specific to the management of systemscontracting companies, BizSkills received favorable reviews fromstudents in the January sessions. According to Michael Nagata,estimator/engineer of Phoenix Pacific Inc., the classes werehelpful not only in the discussion of challenges, but in the searchfor solutions. “Coming from a small company, I handle themajority of sales, estimation, design and project management, andthis class encompasses everything necessary to know about thebusiness. It was a forum for different perspectives and proceduresfor a company’s structure and provided me with many ideas on how toimprove efficiency — and, hopefully, profitmargins.”
Topics covered in the three-and-a-half-day seminar include anexplanation of how electronic systems fit into the largerconstruction process and ideas on helping new managers identify keycontacts on the job. Explanations on developing recurring revenue,managing cash flow on a project basis and managing materialspurchases are also included, as are ideas on working from purchaseorders vs. contracts, how to avoid profit killers and contractlitigation, understanding and utilizing project tracking tools,prioritizing tasks and prospecting for clients.
Led by co-instructors Todd Lucy of South Western CommunicationsInc., and Brad Nelson of Sound Solutions Northwest Inc., BizSkillshas been made possible thanks to the sponsorship of SystemsContractor News magazine and the NSCA Education Foundation.For more information on BizSkills or to pre-register for eitherclass, visit www.nsca.org/bizskills or call 800/446-6722.
