The industry has upgraded sales projections of the hi-tech flat television for the next 12 months, suggesting world sales will almost double to 3.65 million units sold.
In Australia, companies also report strong growth in sales of luxury televisions. NEC Australia’s chief executive Isamu Shiroki said that people had definitely embraced the technology.
"Plasma television has been a growing market for two years," he said. "There have been strong sales throughout the industry. This has not only demonstrated the recent technological enhancements, but also the popularity of home entertainment units.”
Another Japanese-based manufacturer, Pioneer, said that as part of plans to quadruple capacity, it would accelerate the start of a production line by more than a month to meet demand.
Pioneer sold 160,000 plasma TV sets around the world under its own brand in the year to March, almost all that it could make, according to company president Kaneo Ito.
South Korea's Samsung Electronics, the world's second-largest maker of liquid crystal displays, plans to build a new LCD plant by 2006 to keep pace with Japanese rival Sharp Corp in meeting rising flat-screen demand.
"Plasma screens, digital cameras and home-theatre systems are growing fast," he said. "These are emerging-technology products that continue to drive sales growth."
The strong Australian dollar is reducing the prices of some plasma TV sets - which can cost more than $10,000 - which is fuelling demand. Retravision chief executive Keith Perkin said recently: "We're selling more widescreen TVs and plasma screen TVs than ever."
Rum Charles, the owner of Indigo DVD, says that plasma screens are a good example of a product that has arrived on the market and has swept all the other popular products out of the way. This happened with the iPod too.
“The iPod killed the portable CD players stone dead. Flat screen TVs are more than just a product. They are a revolution and they have literally changed the landscape of this country. They are everywhere and that includes trade shows. They are good for business because they are a simple, visual, marketing tool. Consumers and buyers no longer want to read information. Instead, they want to see products and services in action. It is not just flat screens that help but also laptops that have excellent graphic capabilities. As long as you have something to show, this is all good for marketing.”
Rum Charles adds that the screens make stands more dynamic and attractive at trade shows to potential customers passing by.
“It draws them into your stand. So long as you have a professional DVD made it will work wonders. A do it yourself cheap DVD will destroy your branding and image.”
A successful DVD for a tradeshow is a must these days and should include.
· Bright clear fast moving attractive images
· Strong clear text highlighting your messages
· Be a concise visual narrative
“Talking heads” on screens and voice overs can more often than not become redundant and part of the background noise at a tradeshow. Also, many exhibition companies now limit the amount of sound each stand can emit .
"In short “a little less conversation and a little more action please."
