Audio, drones, smart home and wearables confirmed as spotlight categories for DISTREE EMEA 2016 chan

Spotlight on four fast-growing product categories at DISTREE EMEA. Offering technology and CE brands a unique opportunity to meet the region’s leading distributors, retailers and e-tailers

DISTREE EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) has confirmed that audio products, consumer drones, smart home solutions and wearables will be four spotlight product categories at next year’s event in Monaco. The annual four-day event offers technology and consumer electronics (CE) brands a powerful platform to launch, manage or expand their routes-to-market across the region.

“We’re hugely excited to announce the first four spotlight categories for DISTREE EMEA 2016,” said Alexandra Sinson, Event Director for DISTREE EMEA. “Our pre-event research has shown that these are four product areas where EMEA’s e-tailers, retailers and distributors are really looking to focus their business development activities in 2016.”

“DISTREE EMEA is an invitation only trade only event where senior buyers and executives from the region’s leading channel partners hold pre-scheduled face-to-face meetings with both existing partners and new brands that they are considering adding to their portfolio,” Sinson added.

DISTREE EMEA 2016 will be held from February 24-27th at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Taking place for the 14th consecutive year in 2016, DISTREE EMEA will gather more than 1000 senior executives including vendors, plus distributors, retailers and e-tailers from across the entire EMEA region.

A recent report by Grand View Research claimed that the global market for earphones and headphones alone would be worth US$17.55 billion by 2022, driven by a surge in consumer demand for technologically advanced products. Audio products such as wireless speakers, streaming devices and sound bars are also benefitting from increased consumer demand.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming a record number of audio brands to DISTREE EMEA 2016. We will enhance the exhibitor experience with the provision of demonstration pods on the showfloor if required,” added Sinson. “DISTREE EMEA 2016 will give audio brands an oppportunity to make some serious noise in the regional channel.”

Consumer drones have begun to make a meaningful impact in consumer channels in Europe. Major retailers and distributors are all beginning to stock a variety of brands and looking to deepen their relationships with manufacturers and suppliers in this category.

“A number of drone suppliers, including AEE, are already confirmed for DISTREE EMEA 2016. Global shipments of consumer drones are forecast to quadruple in the next five years,” explained Sinson. “We’ve got some exciting plans that will allow these companies to demonstrate drones to their full potential at DISTREE EMEA against the iconic backdrop of Monaco.”

Smart home solutions and products continue to build momentum in European markets, with volume channels playing an increasing role in helping these technologies reach a mass market. The second annual Smart Channels Summit hosted by CONTEXT will form part of an extensive conference programme at DISTREE EMEA 2016.

Sinson explained: “The Smart Channels Summit will bring together a wide range of channel stakeholders to discuss how the retail channel will evolve in Europe to deliver smart technologies, solutions and services to consumers. For manufacturers of connected devices and smart home products, this summit is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of current market issues.”

Recent data from Juniper Research indicates that global consumer spending on smart home services including entertainment, health, energy and home automation, will reach US$100 billion per annum by 2020 - more than double the US$43 billion estimated spend in 2015.

Wearables has also been confirmed as the fourth spotlight category for DISTREE EMEA 2016, reflecting brand proliferation in the sector, fast-growing consumer demand and a desire from channel partners to meet more brands active in this sector.

“We’re seeing distributors in Europe such as Tech Data in the UK establishing dedicated teams to address the fast-growing market for wearable technology,” said Sinson. “DISTREE EMEA will provide the link that allows wearables brands from around the world to meet the channel partners that can order significant volumes and raise their brand awareness in major markets.”

The spotlight categories form part of a complete range of technology and consumer electronics products that will be on display at DISTREE EMEA 2016. In total. some 200 product brands will be represented at DISTREE EMEA 2016. Utilising DISTREE Events’ extensive EMEA channel database, senior executives from the most influential volume distributors in 60-plus countries will be invited to attend. They will be joined by senior executives and product buyers from e-tailers and retailers spanning 40 European markets.

“When you bring exciting consumer technology brands together with the region’s most influential channel partners, great things happen,” explained Sinson. “That’s what DISTREE EMEA is all about. We’re hugely excited by the spotlight categories for 2016 and we know that participating e-tailers, retailers and distributors are as well.”

“DISTREE EMEA is the perfect opportunity for all vendors – from start-ups to A-brands – to reinvigorate their regional channel reach and position themselves for success in 2016. As a trade-only event, we are laser-focused on helping exhibitors meet the individuals and companies that can make a real difference to their business success across EMEA,” concluded Sinson.

DISTREE EMEA increased its available exhibition area by relocating to the Grimaldi Forum in 2015. This move has created the capacity to host a greater number of exhibitors, delegates and trade press at the event.