DSS Europe returned to Munich on 5-6 July to take a deep dive into the state of the industry and the key trends that are shaping the future of digital signage.
MUNICH, 24 July 2023: Widely regarded as one of the industry’s most important business events, Digital Signage Summit Europe (DSS Europe) celebrated its 50th edition at Hilton Munich Airport in Germany, earlier this month. A joint venture between Integrated Systems Events and invidis consulting, the summit attracted digital signage leaders from across Europe to explore this year’s theme: Engaging Experiences – Concepts, Creation & Content.
Sponsored by Google Chrome Enterprise, DSS Europe welcomed over 350 delegates, exhibitors and speakers to enjoy two days of thought-leadership, insightful panel discussions, industry overviews and the latest innovations from exhibiting brands.
Inspiring Speaker Line-up
This year’s stellar line up of speakers, including experts from First Impression, Futuresource, Google, M-Cube, Trison, Visual Art and ZetaDisplay and spanning a wide range of sectors such as media, retail, and corporate, addressed the current market outlook and the impact of major trends.
Highlights included Dave Haynes, editor of Sixteen:Nine, and Mark McDermott, CEO at ScreenCloud, discussing ‘How to get the message across to your employees’ and why agnostic software solutions that integrate with other systems are helping to streamline internal communications. While Daan Berends, Creative Director at First Impression Audiovisual, explored ‘Why digital solutions lack success without spot-on content’ with practical advice on how ordinary content can be just as engaging as digital spectaculars.
Market Trends and Engaging Content
During day one of the summit, Florian Rotberg, Chair of DSS Europe and Managing Director of invidis consulting, presented a comprehensive market overview in which he revealed that global advertising markets have increased by 6% year on year, driven by a DooH growth of 26%. Florian also revealed that the overall market forecast for 2024 is looking to be flat.
Further insights revealed that market growth in Europe is tracking ahead of the US and Asia, thanks to a wider implementation of smart digital signage and experiences. The creation of unique, immersive experiences in a physical space is increasing with ‘Pop Up’ and concept stores growing in popularity.
Content, canvas, and location are key elements in creating a distinctive physical journey that differentiates from an online retail experience. Factors generating successful implementation include content being relevant and memorable.
“There needs to be a balance between the things you want to present and the stories you want to tell.” Hubert van Doorne, Nexmosphere – on the ideal placement of screens and sensors in the retail space.
Other themes driving industry development include Generative AI such as Adobe Firefly, Sustainability, Carbon Credits and Cyber Security. These topics formed the basis for many of the conversations, both on the main stage and at the networking sessions, during the summit.
“Digital signage must bring something new and deliver added value to companies. Not just videos that play on a loop.” commented Christophe Billaud, Telelogos.
Best Practice and Key Takeways
On day two, the invidis team opened with a ‘Wake Up Call’ keynote, highlighting the best and worst practices in digital signage, with examples from their recent global tour. These included common pitfalls, including content that doesn’t inspire (blank and poorly calibrated screens should be avoided), poor visibility, 24-hour power consumption, light pollution, and installation failures such as visible cables. Plus, a plea to use standardised APIs only.
Delegates were also the first to receive a copy of the new 2023 invidis Yearbook, widely regarded as the go-to industry reference point for exclusive insights and market trends. The latest issue features key topics; Engaging Experiences and Green Signage.
Celebrating the Best
invidis also hosted its annual Strategy Awards, celebrating excellence in the digital signage industry. Florian Rotberg and Stefan Schieker of invidis consulting GmbH presented the awards to companies that are leading the way in digital signage strategy.
The winners are:
• Engaging Experiences – TRISON
• Green Signage – PPDS – Professional Display Solutions
• Business Critical – Xovis
• Innovation – Google Chrome OS
• Rising Star – First Impression audiovisual
• Industry Leadership – PPDS – Professional Display Solutions
Rotberg concludes, “This year’s edition with over 500 visits was a resounding success with a wealth of market leaders and industry experts addressing the state of experiences and discussing trends and drivers for the year ahead. These valuable discussions pave the way for unlocking the potential of digital signage and DooH still to be explored. DSS Europe is a great opportunity for the industry to come together, explore and collaborate in a creative and effective way for a more sustainable future – see you next year!”
DSS Europe is a joint venture between Integrated Systems Events, producers of the Integrated Systems Europe exhibition, and invidis consulting, the leading German digital signage consultancy. DSS Europe 2024 takes place in Munich next July.
Ends
Media Contacts:
Rebecca Khelifa-Bonk, PR Manager, Integrated Systems Events: rkhelifa-bonk@iseurope.org
Florian Rotberg, Managing Director, invidis consulting: florian.rotberg@invidis.com
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EDITORS’ NOTES:
About Integrated Systems Europe:
Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is the world’s leading professional AV and systems integration show. The annual event provides a unique showcase of technologies and solutions for commercial and residential applications. The extensive show floor is complemented by a conference and professional development programme curated by the show’s co-owners, AVIXA and CEDIA. ISE also showcases a range of keynotes and events that take place before and during the show. ISE 2024 will take place from 30 January to 2 February 2024 at the Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via. The event is a joint venture of AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association and CEDIA, the global trade association for companies that design, manufacture, and integrate technology for the home. For further information, please visit: www.iseurope.org.
About invidis consulting:
invidis consulting is Europe’s leading boutique strategy consultancies for digital signage, retail technology and digital disruption. The Munich-based firm was founded and is headed by Florian Rotberg. The team of industry experts advise global clients across EMEA and beyond in strategy, M&A and experience design. As digital architects invidis provides indispensable know-how to retailers and shopping centre operators. invidis also provides valuable insights with exclusive digital signage market research for Europe and the Middle East. Market information and industry business climate indexes are published year-round online as well as part of the invidis annual Digital Signage Yearbook. The German and English language publication has been published annually for nine years and is considered the industry bible. invidis founded the DSS conference series in 2006 as a small conference in Munich. Since then the event has grown to the leading digital signage conference in Europe. DSS is now part of a joint venture with Integrated Systems Europe. Additional information is available at www.invidis.de
About AVIXA®:
AVIXA is the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, producer of InfoComm trade shows around the world, co-owner of Integrated Systems Europe, and the international trade association representing the audiovisual industry. Established in 1939, AVIXA has more than 20,000 enterprise and individual members, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, consultants, programmers, live events companies, technology managers, content producers, and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. AVIXA members create integrated AV experiences that deliver outcomes for end users. AVIXA is a hub for professional collaboration, information, and community, and is the leading resource for AV standards, certification, training, market intelligence, and thought leadership. Visit www.avixa.org
About CEDIA®:
CEDIA® is the global membership association that serves the home technology industry through advocacy, connection, and education. Founded in 1989, CEDIA fights for the rights and interests of its members in governmental bodies around the world, gathers industry professionals worldwide, and creates the trainings, standards, and certifications that ensure the industry excels and attracts new workers. CEDIA co-owns Integrated Systems Europe, the world’s largest AV and systems integration exhibition, and founded CEDIA Expo, the world’s largest annual residential technology show. Today, over 30,000 CEDIA members deliver home technology solutions that enrich our lives. Learn more about CEDIA at www.cedia.net