IABM Overview & Mission

Representing Broadcast and Media Technology Suppliers Worldwide

Established in the mid seventies, the IABM’s first objective was to provide the industry with a stronger voice to major event organisers. Since then, the IABM has grown to become an extremely effective force and the only trade body representing broadcast and media technology suppliers worldwide. The membership of IABM represents some 80% of the global turnover in the broadcast manufacturing and supply sector and in the last five years, membership numbers have grown exponentially.

Representation of members’ views to the major event organisers remains a key element of the IABM’s activities. Research undertaken by the IABM has shown that many suppliers in the broadcast and media technology industry spend more than 60% of their global marcomms budgets on trade shows. This is significantly higher than in other technology sectors. It is therefore important that the IABM continues to provide ways for members to reduce the costs of trade shows by negotiating discounted rates. The growth in regional shows across the world has also increased and, as a result, the number of events that the IABM supports has increased to reflect the growing global diversity of the sector.

As the sector’s trade association, providing members with the means to reduce their ongoing operation costs remains at the heart of the IABM, but this is only part of a comprehensive range of services that have been developed over the years in response to member demands or recognised industry needs. Our market and commercial intelligence services remain a vital resource for members, both small and large, and provide regular industry trends, financial data and market segmentation data. In addition, the IABM also produces ad hoc reports to support specific needs such as market entry studies to aid members in entering new markets as well as tactical reports.

Our raison d’être “representing broadcast and media technology suppliers worldwide” is accomplished through a wide range of activities based on the following fundamental elements:

• Representation & Mediation • Strategic Planning • Information Exchange & Networking • Industry Promotion • Training & Development

Association policy is developed by our elected Members’ Board, currently chaired by Graham Pitman, Deputy Chair, Snell and is implemented by the Secretariat, led by Director General, Peter White. The IABM is a not for profit professional body, owned and governed by its members and constituted as a company limited by guarantee and registered in the UK.

Companies represented on the IABM Board: • Avid Technology • Axon Digital Design • Barco

• Pharos Communications • Pixel Power • Quantel

• Grass Valley • Harris

• Hi-Tech Systems • IBIS

• Panasonic

As an Association we reflect the diverse nature of the supply community in the sector. Our membership ranges from small specialist suppliers to the major global players. The community of well over 1500 suppliers in this sector represent an annual business worth some US$25bn, yet only 150 or so have an annual turnover in excess of US$5M.

IABM members by company size 0-9 Employees

10-24 Employees 25 – 99 Employees 100 - 499 Employees 500-999 Employees 1000+ Employees

27% 22% 27% 18% 2% 4%

As we move towards the last quarter of 2010, we can see that the very dark days of the recession are behind us and a degree of optimism has returned to the market. The recovery has been tentative in some areas and more robust in others. North America, for example, has not experienced the same level of upturn in orders as Europe, and in the APAC region it appears the little deceleration they may have experienced during the recession has gone and they are leading the way globally out of the gloom.

What is clear is that the recession has had a marked effect on our industry. Throughout 2009 there was much focus on business rationalisation and optimisation with costs being cut, processes streamlined and resources shed. Another feature of a recession is that it acts as an accelerant; pouring fuel on the fire of change and bringing in more efficient new technology and processes faster as a matter of necessity.

Consequently we emerged from the recession with businesses operating with reduced resources and customers even more keen to wring every pound out of their investment. ROI is now the key consideration when procuring product with the CFO making the decision more often than not.

• Snell (Chair) • Sony

• The Vitec Group • TSL

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THE IABM