Snell and Quantel, the British broadcast technology manufacturers, have announced their plans for this year’s IBC with Quantel planning to exhibit but Snell deciding to concentrate on local events and meetings.

Snell Quantel

Newbury-based Quantel pulled out of the NAB exhibition in Las Vegas in April saying that it could not justify the expense.

But, having spoken to customers, it will now exhibit in Amsterdam

Quantel marketing director Steve Owen said: “In coming to our decision to participate at IBC, we took account of our customers’ wishes [and they] all expressed a desire to meet with Quantel at the show.

“What is also clear from talking with many of our customers and prospects is their very real concern about the environmental impact of these large events and how to minimise this. We’ll be addressing these issues at IBC in terms of how we build, staff, transport and re-use our stand, thereby ushering in a more sustainable approach to exhibiting.”

Quantel’s stand will highlight developments in post-production, broadcast and Stereo 3D systems.

Meanwhile, Snell, the company formed through the merger of Pro-Bel and Snell and Wilcox, will not exhibit at the Amsterdam show. Instead the company will continue to pursue a strategy of what it calls ‘active customer engagement’, which takes the form of face-to-face meetings and local market initiatives.

“We are not abandoning major trade shows,” said Neil Maycock, chief marketing officer at Snell. “in fact, NAB gave us the perfect opportunity to showcase our newly merged organization on a grand scale. However we realize it’s increasingly important to be responsive to market conditions and use the most appropriate mechanisms to engage with our customers.”

Although Snell will not be exhibiting on the show floor, the company will still have an active presence at the IBC2009 show and will host events for customers.