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In the mobile world, there are several huge events to look forward to each year. CES kicks things off in January with Mobile World Congress following shortly after. Then there is CTIA, the twice-a-year show occurring in the spring and fall.
CTIA has been a bit of red-headed stepchild (no offense to red-headed stepchildren) recently with manufacturers foregoing big announcements at the show in favor of other venues. The group behind the trade show attempted to counter by branding their fall event MobileCon and placing a focus on applications and enterprise. But the MobileCon experiment will be short-lived.
While 2013 will stick with CTIA’s familiar format, starting in 2014 their two gig bill will be reduced to one, as the main CTIA show will be merged with MobileCon to form single “super mobile show.” The date is already set for September 9th through 11th of 2014. That could create an interesting travel schedule for those headed to IFA in Berlin, which typically takes place at the beginning of September each year.
CTIA-The Wireless Association® Announces 2014 Super Mobile Show
One CTIA Show to Serve as THE Mobile Industry Trade Show
WASHINGTON, January 2, 2013 – CTIA-The Wireless Association® today announced it will create the “super” mobile industry trade show that will dominate the second half of the year, beginning in 2014. CTIA 2014™ will take the best of its CTIA Show that’s focused on technology and consumer electronics with MobileCON™ and its emphasis on mobile IT solutions to offer attendees, exhibitors and speakers with specialized opportunities so that all of the companies that comprise of the wireless ecosystem can network and conduct business with the right people. The first CTIA super mobile show, CTIA 2014, will take place Sept. 9-11 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“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. 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,” said Rob Mesirow, CTIA Vice President and Show Director. “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.”
Over the next few weeks and months, CTIA will 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 activities stemming from those partnerships will play a vital role in forming a weeklong schedule of business and professional development opportunities. Carriers, device manufacturers, network operators, app developers, retailers and others throughout the wireless industry are enthusiastic about the move.
“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. CTIA 2014 will play a key role in our company’s plans for announcing the latest innovative products and services,” said Fared Adib, Senior Vice President of Product Development and Operations, Sprint.
“CTIA’s decision to consolidate the wireless shows is exactly what the industry needed. CTIA 2014 takes the best from the specialized shows while bringing all of the right people together at the same time and place so everyone’s time can be optimized,” said Angel Ruiz, President and CEO, Ericsson Inc.
For those with a consumer focus, the timing of the 2014 show provides the perfect stage to debut mobile consumer products and services heading into the annual holiday buying season.
CTIA will continue to host CTIA 2013 and MobileCON 2013 separately while incorporating super show programs as a springboard to the changes in 2014. At the heart of both shows are the thought-leadership and advocacy that are driving the future of the mobile industry.
In 2012, MobileCON emerged as the industry event for mobile enterprise IT executives and senior decision-makers. MobileCON 2013 show is scheduled for October 9-11 in San Jose, CA. CTIA 2013 will take place May 21-23 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, and with it encompassing all aspects of the global mobile ecosystem, the event is poised to bring together the leaders, ideas and experiences that are transforming this dynamic industry.
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