PALM Expo

July / August 2008

For those brave enough to endure the deafening decibels, there was good business to be done at this year’s PALM Expo in Beijing.
Meyer Sound, for example, reported that the demand for high-quality sound systems in China has grown drastically in recent years with increasing capital investment in new convention halls, performing arts centres and a variety of entertainment facilities.
In his opening ceremony speech, Mr Rigby CEO, Informa Group / IIR highlighted the strong economic growth and the increasing affluence of China, which has translated into a corresponding growth in the demand for more and more property projects, such as commercial and residential properties, airports and entertainment venues, which in return creates more demand for professional audio, lighting and project installation products and services that PALM Expo offers.
Many familiar western manufacturers were present either with their own stands – as in the case of the lamp giants GE, Osram and Philips, or in support of local representatives, such as Total Solutions, Concord Trading, EAD, Sanecore and Hui Feng.
Chinese-based manufacturer PR Lighting used the show as an opportunity to present their new corporate logo as well as products like the MONO 250, XL 250, SA-Led TRINE/DUAL Wash, V-Led Swirl Fancy Panel, Mega Colour 7000/4000AS and Mega Colour 2500.
As always, the issue of copyright/patent infringement remained a major issue. Despite assurances to the contrary, many western manufacturers felt the organizers were still not doing enough to help them protect their intellectual property. Among them was Vianney Bourjot of Daslight. “My feeling about this show? Too many copies. It’s really unfortunate that Chinese companies are given stands at a third of the price, which encourages those companies who make copies to attend.”
Such is the problem that Robe’s distributor reportedly asked that the Czech manufacturer not bring its newest products to the show (to avoid the copycats getting a look), and those units that were on display were rigged high up out of harms way.
Martin Pro were among those making an effort to fight back. The company now has lawyers working on securing the necessary Chinese patents for all future products as well as shutting down copies at tradeshows. It’s an expensive task of sisyphean proportions, but all manufacturers affected by this kind of problem seemed convinced that to do nothing simply not an option.
PALM Expo returns in May 2009.