JACKSON, MICH. — PMA is making
a bold move, moving its annual
show from winter to autumn starting
next year.
The PMA 2011 International Convention
and Trade Show will be held
Sept. 8-10, 2011 to take place at the Las
Vegas Convention Center, South Hall.
The industry’s largest dedicated event
in the U.S. moves from its traditional
February time slot. The shift also
marks a move back to Las Vegas after a not-so-popular showing in Anaheim,
Calif., in February 2010.
In addition, PMA said the trade show
will feature one day (Sept. 10) that will
be open to consumers “to build excitement”
for the imaging category going
into the holidays.
In a statement, PMA said: “The PMA
show is traditionally held in the first
quarter, but changes in industry buying
cycles and technology developments
made the new schedule advantageous.”
Due to a combination of a tough economy,
the building popularity of International
CES in January for camera manufacturers
and retailers, and the high
costs of participating in both shows so
close together, companies including
Canon, Epson, JVC and others dropped
out of the PMA show this year.
“Based on input from key suppliers
and trade groups, the PMA show is
changing dates to better serve the photo
industry,” stated Ted Fox, PMA executive
director and CEO.
“Having the PMA 2011 show on the
leading edge of the holiday season is the
best opportunity to make critical buying
decisions for the fourth quarter,”
added Brian Wood, 2010-2011 PMA
international president.
In PMA’s statement, Mike Worswick,
co-owner of Wolfe’s Cameras, Camcorders
& Computers, said: “Fall makes great
sense for the PMA show. Specialty retailers
are not ready to buy merchandise in
February. Instead of viewing late spring
products, retailers can nail down program
details for holiday merchandise.”
“Most of our major vendors introduce
new product lines twice each year —
winter and fall,” said Richard Yagjian,
W.B. Hunt COO and executive VP. “A
PMA annual show in the fall overcomes
the problem of second-half product introductions
coming to market without
much fanfare. The industry will benefit.”
Issues regarding future dates of international
PMA events that could be potentially
aff ected by the change will be
addressed at upcoming advisory committee
meetings, according to Fox.
