EDS: Where the Electronics Industry Connects

Las Vegas, Nevada. May 5–8, 2008.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EDS?

EDS is the premier annual event for the main players in the international electronics industry.

Every year, the manufacturers of electronic components, instruments and accessories, as well as distributors and manufacturer's representatives, come together to meet, make contacts and build their businesses. Suppliers of industry goods and services also are on hand to market their products.

The emphasis at EDS is on forging and maintaining business relationships through scheduled, one-on-one meetings, but the event is also filled with important product exhibits educational, educational programs and networking opportunities.

EDS is an combined effort and strongly supported by the industry's top member organizations — the Electronic Components Association, the Electronic Representatives Association, and the National Electronics Distributors Association.

Have more specific questions? Ask the Experts.

How many people attend?

Attendance at EDS is typically about 5000 individuals, divided relatively equally among exhibitor, distributor, and manufacturers' representative personnel. EDS has superb market penetration, attracting some 80% each year of the target audience of companies who distribute electronic components. Electronic distribution is a compact industry, so that computes to about 1200 distributor attendees from 500 companies. When you divide that number among 400 manufacturer-exhibitors, participating in meetings that often run half an hour or longer, you understand why it's so important for exhibitors to take aggressive action to be sure to attract the distributors they want to see.

Why are EDS participation fees so high, especially in light of economic conditions both within and outside the electronics industry?

Concerns about the rates for EDS are understandable. The EDS Board strives each year for a balanced budget, and in the framework of that philosophy "held the line" on prices during the good times, and has held the line again for 2010. Given the realities of the economy, the EDS Board feels it prudent to budget based on amortizing costs over the expected exhibitor base. The participation fee for EDS is a small fraction of a manufacturer's total cost for being in Las Vegas. In many instances, companies will find that lower hotel rates and less lavish entertaining will result in a "landed cost" for EDS that is less than last year. But in any event, if you didn't think you would benefit by being able to see so many people in so little time, you wouldn't be coming, even if we had reduced the rates.

What does the Show Corporation do to build traffic for exhibitors?

EDS has a multi-faceted program to bring people to Las Vegas, including heavy direct mail (USPS and Email), advertising in all the key industry magazines and newspapers, presentations at trade association meetings and other industry gatherings, a volunteer task force of manufacturers' representatives who "talk up" the show in their territories, etc. In addition, we pioneered the concept of the conference suite on the exhibit floor to keep more people downstairs more of the time. This also helps distributors squeeze in more meetings by saving them the time that might otherwise be spent in vertical travel from hotel suite to hotel suite. Nonetheless, one reality is that EDS is more and more an appointment-oriented event where the successful exhibitors are those who build their own traffic through advance promotion and advance scheduling of meetings.

Why aren't the suites closed while the exhibits are open?

EDS exists to facilitate dialogue between manufacturers and distributors, but not to regulate it. Accordingly, we provide a choice of venues to meet the style and preferences of the various companies who participate in EDS. Typically the companies in suites are heavily OEM-oriented manufacturers and their distributors; where the companies in exhibit booths are more likely to be MRO-oriented.

As a small distributor, how do I get access to those good industrial lines who are locked away in suites?

Although most of those companies have established and very limited distributor networks, they do make changes from time to time. If you want to stimulate an interview, however, you can't wait until you get to EDS. Identify lines for which you think you're qualified, and call the Distributor Sales Manager in January or February to ask for an appointment at EDS. Many companies leave time open on their appointment calendars just for the purpose of meeting with selected potential distributors.

Why are some manufacturers in other hotels? It would be much more convenient for distributors to see everyone at Paris/Bally's.

It's rare that we can't accommodate every manufacturer who wants to be part of the EDS marketplace in the headquarters hotels. Chances are that any company in another hotel is there to avoid paying a participation fee to the Show Corporation. Thus that company is taking advantage of a marketplace paid for by others. We advise you to decline appointments with manufacturers in other hotels. It's not the best use of your time, and efficient use of time is what EDS is all about!

Why is EDS always in Las Vegas?

First and foremost, because it works best for most people! Las Vegas comes out on top every time we survey the industry on the best place. That has something to do with value -- low priced plane fares without a Saturday stayover, deluxe hotel rooms over $100 a night less than comparable rooms in most big cities, favorable rates for exhibit services, etc.

But the other big point is that the industry likes the under-one-roof idea, with exhibits, conferences, seminars and housing all in the same place. There are very few facilities that offer enough rooms, and suites, plus adequate space for exhibits, seminars, meetings, conferences, etc., all in the same complex!

What's the procedure for getting a badge to EDS?

For distributor and rep badges, there is online registration right here on our website. Badges are $50, but are prepaid by NEDA and ERA members when they pay their association dues. There is a $10 surcharge for NEDA and ERA members for badges issued at EDS.

Manufacturers who are exhibiting at EDS will receive badge forms from the Show Corporation, for all personnel attending EDS. Additional badges will be issued at EDS at no charge.

Companies who wish to meet with EDS attendees, or to evaluate the event for the future participation, and who do not require exhibit or meeting space, may register for special EDS Authorized Vendor badges. These badges provide access to the exhibit areas, to all official EDS programs, and provide space for a limited number of meetings.

Authorized Vendors who register in advance will be listed in the Exhibitor Directory and on the EDS website, including address, phone, email, key personnel and products.

There is a fee of $750 per company for Authorized Vendor status, which includes the issuance of up to two (2) badges.

Why does EDS have registration fees for distributors and representatives?

EDS operates for the benefit of the three functions in the distribution channel, manufacturers, distributors, and professional field sales (manufacturers' representatives). All three groups derive financial benefit through their participation; but essentially the entire cost of producing EDS has been borne by manufacturers. The EDS Board believes that the manufacturing community should not pay the full freight for putting on an event which is of equal importance to the other functions in the channel. Given the over-all investment distributors and reps make in coming to Las Vegas (plane fares, hotels, meals, etc.), the $50 badge fee (per person) is not expected to deter any one from attending; but will help keep the bottom line black. Of equal importance, it will spread the cost among all the people who benefit, not put the whole burden on one segment.

Why does EDS give preferential treatment to NEDA and ERA members?

NEDA and ERA, along with the manufacturers' association, ECA, are the Sponsors of EDS. All NEDA and ERA events at EDS are open to non-members as well as members. As a convenience to association members, they may prepay their badge fees through NEDA and ERA. That is their only "preferential" treatment.

Who owns EDS?

Where the Electronics Industry Connects is operated not-for-profit under the sponsorship of the three electronic industry trade associations most concerned with distribution, ECA, ERA, and NEDA. (Originally organized by manufacturer groups in 1937, the distributor association joined in a year or so later, and the Electronics Representatives Association became an equal partner in the early 1970's.)

A Board of Directors of leaders in the three trade associations sets policy and direction, which is implemented by an independent staff through the Electronic Distribution Show Corporation. Directors are selected because of their stature in their companies and their association and serve without compensation, for terms not to exceed six consecutive years. The presidency rotates among the three groups.

The management staff is headed by Executive Vice President Gerald M. Newman, who joined the Show Corporation in 1970 and has occupied his present position since 1993.

The OEM segment of the EDS universe and the MRO segment seem to have differing needs. Would the industry be better off with separate shows?

While the premise of different needs is largely correct, a significant number of respondents in our surveys classify themselves as Both OEM and MRO, and thus could be faced with having to attend an extra show.

Moreover, the costs of operating two separate events would be so much higher that the industry prefers to accept the small trade-offs necessary to accommodate the OEMs, the MROs, and the hybrids in a single event.

As a new or potential EDS exhibitor, how do I decide which of the many participation options is best for my company's needs?

Your distribution strategy, the size of your distributor network, and the importance of your line to your distributors are among the factors that come into play. You'll find a thumbnail description of the various formats — Exhibit Booths, Euro Suites, Conference Units and Hotel Suites — elsewhere on this Web site. In addition, you can Ask the Experts on the EDS staff and Board or at the sponsoring associations for advice. However, for a thorough understanding of how the EDS format has taken its present shape to serve the needs of the industry, download a copy of our Orientation brochure.

The EDS exhibitor list includes most of the important manufacturers of interconnect, passive and electro-mechanical components, but not of active components. How does EDS relate to the semiconductor industry?

EDS has tried a number of formats and devices over the years to attract semiconductor manufacturers as exhibitors and program participants. Their general response is that the importance of the relationships they have with their distributors is such that they see one another regularly, and don't need the facility provided by the EDS marketplace. (This does not explain, however, why so many personnel from semiconductor companies happen to be in Las Vegas while EDS is going on.)

What kinds of products do distributors look for at EDS?

©2008 EDS — Where the Electronics Industry Connects

Brought to the Worldwide Electronics Channel by ERA, NEDA and ECA.