The easiest measurement of success in a trade show is sheer numbers. Well, the 2013 edition of the InfoComm Show their biggest ever, with over 35,100 people attending — setting an all-time attendance record.

Check.

Another indication of success is leads. Well, in talking to Christie, Panasonic, NEC, Almo ProAV, FSR, Biamp, AMX, Cisco and Sony, they all reported record leads — meaning record qualified visitors to their booths.

Check.

Another indicator of success is attendee feedback. Well, check, check check. Every single attendee that everyone at rAVe spoke to was ecstatic about the show – and we spoke to a lot of them – we handed out over 9,600 free rAVe t-shirts to attendees.

Check.

So, some kudos. First and foremost, to Jason McGraw, InfoComm’s Sr. Vice President of Expositions, and his team did an amazing job planning, promoting and executing the biggest InfoComm, ever. So, Jason, take a bow.

Next, hats-off to the InfoComm Exhibitor Advisory Steering Committee headed by Arrive’s Lee Dodson. A lot of industry trade association committees are all fluff; well, not this one. I have served on the Exhibitor Committee at InfoComm, and they make a lot of decisions about everything from the location of the show (which, by the way, will continue the Las Vegas/Orlando rotation at least through the year 2020), the layout of the show and the special events around a show. The InfoComm Exhibitor Advisory Steering Committee does all that and a lot more. And, Lee had a lot of support — the committee includes:

• Jeff Kindig, AMX
• Rosanne Lang, Crestron
• Steve Capling, Christie Digital
• Wendy Cox, Da-Lite
• Clint Hoffman, Kramer
• Steve Young, Music Group
• Ashley Flaska, NEC Display
• Kim Brown, Planar Systems
• Craig DeBari, Sony Electronics
• Randy Smith, Winsted Corporation

And, in case you haven’t heard – or made the mistake of not attending an educational session at this year’s show – you missed the best InfoComm had to offer – the largest number of instructors and classes, ever. Again, kudos to Melissa Taggart, InfoComm’s senior vice president of education and certification, and her team as they did an amazing job. I was honored to be asked to teach at this year’s show and loved it.

Finally, this is issue of rAVe is only the beginning — this is part 1 of at least three issues that will cover all that there was at InfoComm 2013. Our next issue will have even more new products launched at the show and in our third issue, we’ll bring you our Annual Best of InfoComm Awards — awarding the top new products launched at the show.

But, if you can’t wait for it all, we’ve got ALL our InfoComm coverage on our dedicated InfoComm microsite here: www.rAVeNOWinfocomm.com