Mediacast 2002 conference reveals 'real hope on the horizon'

By the time the Mediacast show closed, exhibitors had endorsed the success of this year's event by booking 70% of next year's exhibition space.
The 2002 event attracted 6,922 attendees to ExCeL, London, and Neil Cook, Event Manager of Mediacast, said the programme's success spelt "real hope on the horizon" for the industry.
Mr Cook said: "There was a surprising amount of real business being done at Mediacast. I know trading remains tough for many companies in the media comms space, but if the orders taken at the show and the high levels of interest in technologies such as DTT and MHP are an indicator, then I believe there's real hope on the horizon."
Industry leaders from around the world present at the new 'Convergence Hub' focused on the development and evolution of digital television.
Hot topics included a focus on Europe with sessions exploring the German market with representatives from Universal Studios Network Germany, the German Media Regulator LfR, Prima TV and Premiere World. There was also a look at the Danish terrestrial trial with MHP Det Digital Nordjyland, presented by KiSS Technology, plus lessons from Sweden to facilitate the current UK broadband market.
Panel sessions included a look at the pros and cons of MHP, with speakers from Philips Digital Networks, Strategy & Technology, Sony Broadcast Professional Europe and OpenTV.
There were a significant number of visitors from overseas, with 52% of the attendees coming from outside the UK, and over 80 countries represented.
Rupert Deighton, from IBM, said: "Important contacts and business meetings were held that might have been more difficult and costly to set up had this event not been in our calendar. The two IBM speakers were pleased by the full house that both sessions achieved. The attendees appeared interested and well-informed. A worthwhile and productive experience."
Mediacast, www.mediacast.co.uk
(GMcG)