The CTIA wireless association announced that in 2014 it would be combining its two conventions into one mega meeting. The first CTIA super mobile show, CTIA 2014, will take place Sept. 9, 10 and 11 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, and will be focused on technology and consumer electronics, adding MobileCon’s emphasis on mobile IT solutions.
The organization said it would be announcing a variety of strategic partnerships to 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 an integrated role in forming a week-long schedule of business and professional development opportunities.
“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 health care to the connected home, at one place,” Fared Adib, Sprint’s senior vice president of product development and operations, said in a statement. “CTIA 2014 will play a key role in our company’s plans for announcing the latest innovative products and services.”
In 2012, MobileCon emerged as the industry event for mobile enterprise IT executives and senior decision makers. The MobileCON 2013 show is scheduled for Oct. 9 to 11 in San Jose, Calif., while CTIA 2013 will take place May 21 to 23 in Las Vegas. The organization said it would continue to host CTIA 2013 and MobileCon 2013 separately while incorporating super show programs as a springboard to the changes in 2014.
“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,” Rob Mesirow, CTIA vice president and show director, said.
“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,” he said. “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.”