The 12th annual Digital Signage Expo got underway at the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center in mid-March (10-13), on the heels of a much larger Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) that took place just weeks before. While many of the same vendors were at the ISE there was still plenty to see on this side of the pond, with trends in the space that may have some residual effect on Europe and vice versa. Almost every booth this year featured some kind of interactivity on the big screen, with LFDs (large format displays) boasting UltraHD resolution the norm (on the booths at least), all showing beautiful distributed 4K content. Likewise tiled video was another key theme, and both were carry-overs from the larger (OK, grander) ISE event we covered a couple of weeks ago. There were new interactive curved screens as well (a first for the DOOH market).
Another continuing trend was large and small display interactivity, as Google, (a no-show at ISE) had a booth at DSE touting not just the digital out of home market, but expanding the idea to the IoT (Internet of Things) concept that Google (along with Intel) hopes will drive hardware and software sales into the next decade. At DSE we also found materials supplier, Cima Nanotech, touting its transparent conductive (pro-cap) films that enable interactive digital signage devices.
At the show level, DSE boasts some 200 plus exhibitors and the exhibition itself runs two full days bookended by four full days of education conferences and business presentations. There was a new Mobile Innovation Zone plus three education theaters in the On-Floor Workshops that gave exhibitors the chance to demonstrate their wares. The education side included a 12-track program focusing on hardware, software, network delivery and content. This included a Digital Signage certification program, and Content Media Expert Program, all made available for group participation, best practice and knowledge expansion in the industry. There were also peripheral events including the Retail Forum (sponsored by PRI) and the Idea Exchange Education seminar with various tracks that covered K-12 market, S-I and Installer tracks and more, some that were peer group lead.
