As more and more items are being manufactured in Asia, trade shows in those regions are becoming more popular with Western Buyers. The Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan is one of the largest of the Asian trade shows focusing on the electronics industry. Spread across 4 large multi-level halls, the Computex trade show is impressive.

This is just our third year exhibiting at Computex and we’ve seen growth in foreign attendance from all over the world. It’s the perfect location to develop business relationships with potential customers located in America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Middle East, and other Asian nations.

Even though it rained “cats & dogs” throughout the show this year, it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits and the show floor was packed. In 2008, they are adding another hall, so it will have an even larger turnout.

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The above images are:

1. Birds eye view of the convention floor in hall.
2. Another birds eye view of the convention floor in hall.
3. Members of the Vinpower Digital staff with a European customer.
4. Random visitors looking at our booth.
5. Vinpower Employee Tom refueling for a long day working at Computex!

Recently, a member of our staff from Taiwan went to Japan to assist promote our products at the DSE trade show. This is a brief account of her journey.

Due to an overlap in the the timing of the DSE trade show in Japan and the Svyaz Expocomm trade show in Moscow, Russia, our staff was spread thin and I had to attend the DSE trade show on my own along with our distributor Soho. This was quite challenging to me since the last time I was in Japan was over 10 years ago. Yet, I felt very fortunate to be able to represent Vinpower Digital. Plus, I was in a better situation than many other company representatives because I merely had to assist our local distributor. It was still quite a challenge being the only representative from Vinpower to conduct meetings with both our distributor Soho and major drive manufacture and our ODM customer, Plextor Corporation. Though it was quite a task, I was proud to be trusted with such an important responsibility. Even though I was worried about the results of the show, the immense size of the convention center made me feel less tense. Seeing so many booths made me feel as though I was not alone and that there were many other people feeling like me.

The DSE show was only 5 minute walking distance from our hotel, so it was easy to get to. It was nice to be able to take in all of the beautiful images of Japan. Tokyo is an amazing city and is very clean and the people are very polite and friendly.

The show is focused on data storage products and companies. Of all the attendees, 90% were Japanese. So the focus on the show was on the Japanese market. From this you can tell how much emphasis the Japanese put on system management being done by computers. Most all systems were controlled by some automated or computer programmed interface.

Even though there were additional duplication controllers on display, our own controller was strongly represented. From the software in our controller board to the design of our casing, which are developed exclusively by Vinpower, our exceptional functionality and quality was very well received. In addition, many were impressed by our cooperation with the Plextor Corporation as they are a very respected company within the industry.

This was a very good experience for me and a successful exhibit for Soho and Vinpower Digital, I hope to come back again next year.

Mandy and Soho @ Vinpower Booth at DSE

Mandy posing with TITAN PRO at DSE

Mandy posing with the Statue of Liberty in JAPAN!

Being one of the rising BRIC countries, Russia is a fast growing market with huge demands for electronic products. We had the pleasure to witness this country’s stunning culture and flourishing economy as we participated in this year’s Svyaz Expocomm trade show. May weather in Moscow is incredibly comfortable and hospitable. The red square was dazzling and beaming under the cyan canopy. This old time big brother is eager to stand up again and recapture the power and influence around the world. They say Moscow doesn’t believe in tears, and with our technology and all the positive feedbacks we received, we have faith that working with the Russian market will definitely bring big smiles to our faces.

I’m back from NAB and it was quite an experience. Since NAB focuses on broadcasting and dissemination of information on DVD and CD is a major part of the broadcast community, there were a significant number of people looking for duplication equipment. At the same time, with so many people looking for duplication equipment, there was a larger than average number of companies offering duplication equipment. Most shows we attend there are about a maximum of 5 companies exhibiting duplication equipment, this time there was at least 14 different companies.

With that many competitors, one would think this would be a difficult sell to vie for the throngs of patrons in need of such a product. However, we are uniquely position among the numerous exhibiters in that we supply or will supply over 60% of those companies with at least one version of our products. So it is in our best interest that not only do we gather greater interest at this show, but also that the companies that work with us also create a greater buzz, especially for the products we provide them.

Another thing I was hoping to see at this show is whether there was more momentum toward Blu-ray or HD DVD. The consensus is that all video is moving toward Hi Definition, but there is yet a clear consensus as to which format will win out. There of course was a lot of speculation, but that’s all it is at this point. In the duplication market, Blu-ray is leading because HD DVD does not even have a drive available yet. But the Blu-ray drives are in their infancy as well, so it’s not too late for HD DVD to jump into the mix. I never did get a clear answer that would lead me to declare either format the winner or eventual winner, so time will tell.

Fresh off the CeBIT trade show we are preparing to move full force back into another trade show next week. NAB is the National Association of Broadcasters and focuses on Radio and Television broadcasting and all aspects related to the industry. This is probably the most important trade show for our industry within North America and is evident by the number of companies in the duplicator profession who will exhibit there. Including Vinpower Digital, there will be at least 12 companies exhibiting that focus on optical disc duplication and/or printing.

Other companies my find this intimidating to have so many of their competitors within the same hall, but we are not the typical company. As a manufacture, many of those companies exhibiting are also our customers, so they are a unique blend of competition and cooperation for us. By diversifying our product line and working with a wide array of companies in the field, we are limiting our risk while increasing our overall volume. Since we have the ability to differentiate our equipment to provide unique operation or appearance for different companies, we are able to work with a wider segment of the industry without conflict.

The NAB trade show takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 16^th & 19^th in the Las Vegas convention center. Anyone that would like to attend this year can do so for free by visiting the NAB website at www.nabshow.com/VIP, enter your profile, select ‘Exhibits Only’ information, and enter the VIP PASS CODE: KB1286. Please visit our booth in the South Hall lower level; Booth No. SL9908.

Trade shows are a major focus for companies to showcase their products and attract new business. Recently, we exhibited at the CeBIT trade show in Hannover, Germany March 15 through 21, 2007. For those not familiar with this show, it is one of the largest electronics trade shows in the world with easily 500,000 ~ 750,000 visitors in a massive convention center covering over 26 separate halls. One could easily go into electronics overload at a show like this. CeBIT covers every possible electronic instrument from circuit boards to cars and yes, of course duplication equipment and blank media. We had a 25m³ booth with 4 members of our staff working at the show, including yours truly.

Most trade shows are only 4 days long, but due to the enormous size of this show, it is stretched over 7 days. This is a long haul to work at a trade show for 7 straight days and considering the distance we had to travel to get there (over 6,000 miles) it’s not so easy to just substitute employees and take a day off. Even though it can be draining, it’s a very rewarding show. It allows us to meet with most of our international distributors from all over the globe in one location. This is tremendously beneficial as to visit each one at their locations would not only be very expensive, but also far more time consuming than 7 days. Plus, with a minimum of 8 hours time difference between our corporate office and our closest European distributor, most business is conducted through emails. Often when I get into the office, most of our international distributors are preparing to go home or have long left the office.

In addition to being able to meet face to face with our international channel, attending this show gives us a much better insight into the international market and what their needs and habits are which may differ completely from our North American customer base. It’s amazing how different the culture can be from nation to nation. Buying habits, economies, technology level, environmental requirements, duties/taxes, and so much more can differentiate not just between the USA and the rest of the world but between even neighboring countries. How you would sell something in Germany may be completely different in France and visiting with these customers from around the world as they ask questions gives us an incredible insight into their psyche and buying habits.

In my next entry I’ll discuss more about what I saw and experienced at the show, but for now know that it was an incredible experience and even though it’s the 3^rd time I’ve participated, each year I learn something new and gain a better perspective on how we can improve and grow as a company.