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2000 Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association Show READ ALL ABOUT IT! Most Happy With Show, If Not Attendance Despite what most consider slower than expected floor traffic, exhibitors at this year’s SBCA national convention generally seem pleased with the show. “I think the show was good. We have validated to the press and investment analysts that satellite is the growth category in the digital arena,” said Dave Spomer, vice president of Thomson Consumer Electronics. “My perception is that the attendance was a little light, but those who came were here to do business.” A number of other exhibitors echoed that view, with some saying the heaviest traffic was at booths where new interactive and Internet products and services were on display. “The new interactive and enhanced TV products are the big draw, without question,” DirecTv spokesman Bob Marsocci said. The array of new products on the floor help “keep people enthused” about selling satellite TV, he said. Among the highlights of the show, many said, were the first real time demonstrations of two-way satellite Internet services. Gilat-to-Home’s booth, which featured six PCs connected to one uplink/downlink data antenna, was among the show’s most crowded. The Gilat-to-Home display at EchoStar’s booth also was crowded. Many also said they were impressed with new multiple function units displayed for the first time from Thomson, Philips, Microsoft, and others. Joe Cornwall, who runs Motorola’s C-band sales, said traffic on the show floor was “lighter than in past years.” Cornwall said the slower traffic could be due to the changing nature of the satellite TV industry as it as becomes more focused on selling products through consumer electronics chains. But, he added, “The show has been extremely positive for us.” Several satellite TV hands bemoaned the fact that some high-profile programmers did not exhibit. SBCA spokeswoman Margaret Parone said initial tallies indicated about 4,200 people attended the show through yesterday, about half of whom were retailers. This year’s show also marks what may be satellite TV’s last appearance in Las Vegas for some time. The show will next year move back to the familiar confines of the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Next year’s show will feature a new pavilion for programmers who do not want to have full exhibits. TURN THE PAGE OTHER ISSUES TO LOOK FOR: Monday, July 19, 2000 Tuesday, July 20, 2000   Please direct questions about this site to general.mail@satbiznews.com q 2000 Satellite Business News Inc. All rights reserved.