Brazil is a substantially developing market, now officially the world's sixth largest economy, and is set to increase its role on the world stage over the coming years with dance, performing arts, carnival and live events all central to its culture. As the host city for the two largest sporting events in the world, the FIFA football World Cup in the summer of 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016, Rio is set to invest heavily in international entertainment and live event know-how, technology solutions and integrated installation services and equipment. Indeed, in order to meet their needs, the Brazilian government has relaxed import regulations to make it easier for international suppliers - and IET-Brazil 2014 is purposely timed as part of the planning and buying cycle.
Brazil boasts over 4,000 professional theatres, thousands of nightclubs, hundreds of regular street events and a burgeoning live music scene; the number of live concerts in 2011 grew by 75% over the previous 12 months. As such, the need for new entertainment technologies in Brazil has never been greater and the time has never been better for business.
IET-Brazil brings together managers, specifiers, subcontractors and installers, from both the temporary and the permanent installation sides of the business. All the very latest entertainment technology and solutions the industry has to offer will be on show, thereby creating the most dynamic forum for supply and technology transfer.
Matthew Griffiths, CEO of PLASA, the leading international association for those who supply technologies and services to the event, entertainment and installation industries, comments: "On behalf of PLASA, I welcome this initiative for those of our members who wish to take advantage of the amazing opportunities in Brazil. IET is well placed to allow companies to either expand their business or explore new markets in this burgeoning economy."
James Brooks-Ward, advisor on IET Brazil and former PLASA Show director, adds: "We have been developing IET for a year to make sure that it is a real sales platform for the business in one of the world's most important entertainment hotspots. The innovation and product that the country craves, combined with Mack Brooks' intimate knowledge of Brazil and visitor marketing will make it a huge success. I am so pleased to be involved with this new and exciting venture.
(Lee Baldock)
