One of nation's largest consumer-focused wireless organizations is consolidating its two annual trade shows into one big show in autumn of 2014, creating a "super" mobile industry trade show that is sure to attract its share of mHealth interest.
CTIA – The Wireless Association will still host its consumer-focused CTIA 2013 show on May 21-23 in Las Vegas and its business-focused MobileCON 2013 event on Oct. 9-11 in San Jose, Calif. But next year, the two will be folded into CTIA 2014, scheduled for Sept. 9-11 in Las Vegas.
CTIA officials said in a Jan. 2 press release that the fall show, timed so that it's separate from the traditional rush of spring events (including CES and the European conferences), will create a "unique" event that combines all aspects of the fast-evolving wireless landscape.
That includes mHealth concepts such as home monitoring systems, the "connected home," health and wellness devices and applications, and even automobile computer systems.
"The wireless industry is evolving rapidly and there is a need to have a show that centers on the entire global mobile ecosystem in a way that hasn’t existed among the current shows, which is why CTIA 2014 will be unique," CTIA Vice President Rob Mesirow said in the release. "The mobile revolution is positively affecting nearly every industry, such as M2M, connected home, media and advertising, money and global consumer electronics, and CTIA 2014 will serve as a worthy platform to showcase those companies and individuals that are leading this charge and will be a valuable resource for anyone wanting to be a part of this innovative industry."
"In addition, the timing of the 2014 show will deliver the perfect stage for companies to debut mobile consumer products and services for the annual holiday buying season," added Mesirow, who directs the show. He said CTIA would soon be announcing "a variety of strategic partnerships that will expand its show offerings and opportunities within the vertical segments of the wireless industry and the numerous other facets of the enterprise."
The timing should help the mHealth industry, which has carved out a portion of the show floor and its own two-day summit at next week's 2013 International CES in Las Vegas and figures to command significant attention at HIMSS13 in March in New Orleans and Med-e-Tel this April in Luxembourg. The intersection of digital health and consumer electronics is expected to grow as manufacturers and even healthcare providers look to market their wares to consumers.
That includes the telecom industry.
"As Sprint and the wireless industry are helping other sectors improve the way they do business and their customer relationships, we needed a trade show where we can showcase our offerings and capabilities, from consumer to healthcare to the connected home, at one place,” said Fared Adib, senior vice president of product development and operations for Sprint, in the press release. “CTIA 2014 will play a key role in our company's plans for announcing the latest innovative products and services.”
