Chronicles of a Rookie’s First Time at ISE

Everything a first timer should know about traveling to and attending Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam.

Integrated Systems Europe is one of the largest technology and AV exhibitions in the world.

Held every year at the Amsterdam RAI, a gargantuan twelve-hall conference center in Amsterdam, the conference takes up every inch of space in each of the twelve halls. Companies come from all over the world to show off their products and introduce new technology to the growing European market.

A joint venture partnership between the InfoComm, CEDIA, and the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, ISE is a chimera of commercial, integrator, and residential technology. It’s a benefit to attend for companies and consumers alike.

The conference is daunting. This year I traveled to Amsterdam, the first time I had ever left the United States, in order to cover ISE.

I had no idea what to expect going in, save for an assurance from several colleagues that the show would be larger than anything I had experienced, and the need for a plan beforehand would be imperative. Stopping at every booth is impossible, though the conference will expand to a four day event with an additional hall starting next year to help attendees come closer.

RELATED: ISE Attendance ‘Just Under 60K’

This year’s conference has come to an end. I hope to return to bring our readers coverage from the show as it continues to grow. I thought I might share some of that experience with my readers that might find the conference worthwhile and wish to make their first trip to the show in the coming years.

Whether you attend for one day or all four, you’ll need a plan going in.

First tip: They call it the RAI, pronounced ī\. All caps, it stands for Rijwiel en Automobiel Industrie (Bicicyle and Automotive Industry) and they call it the RAI. Welcome to Amsterdam.

Getting There

Commercial Integrator‘s offices are in Framingham, MA, about twenty-five minutes outside of Boston. I left from Logan Airport. Obviously there are direct flights, but I’m the restless type and prefer a layover to break up long flights.

I flew Aer Lingus to Dublin, about a six hour flight, with a layover before my next sixty minute flight to Amsterdam. It was perfect for me, though this is more about preference than anything.

Bring comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking. A lot. Between the city of Amsterdam, which utilizes cycling and public transport as much if not more than automobiles, and the show, I’m sure I put 30 miles on my shoes, easily.

RELATED: AV Nation Wowed in Early ISE Impressions

A taxi driver told me that Amsterdam is a city that is meant to be seen while walking about, and I agree with him. The center is all thin streets broken up by canals and alleyways with hidden shops and restaurants everywhere. Bring a jacket but don’t worry too much about buttoning up, the weather hovers around 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time in February.

Buy a Type C outlet converter for your electronics. If you need to be connected, pay extra for a data plan on your phone. WiFi at the hotels, while free, is spotty and slow, and for those that have trouble with navigation (like me) pulling up Google maps is a lifesaver to get an idea of where you are. Every street has a long name.

Make sure you have a chip and pin credit or debit card. Most cabs can handle slide cards (though you may need to explain to them how it works). Amsterdam has an interesting system where cab companies sponsor independent drivers (so I was told).

Don’t be surprised when you’re picked up in a Mercedes one day and a Camry the next. Just make sure they have a sign on top of the car. You’ll find that shops outside of the convention center with a slide card are few and far between. Euros are always a solid option, just check to see if and how much your bank charges for international withdrawals.

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About the Author

Jonathan Blackwood
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Jonathan Blackwood is the former Editorial Director of Commercial Integrator and TechDecisions. Jonathan writes about technologies that help to innovate and improve practices for technology integration companies of all sizes. He is especially interested in the business side of integration, as well as future technology opportunities.

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