Last week, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association introduced our new brand. The change was made to reflect the dramatic changes that are underway in the marketplace, in technology, in the way consumers access their digital life and in the products and services our industry delivers. The near future is exciting.
A true commitment to change, however, must be more than a new name and fresh colors. In a space marked by innovation and disruption, an organization must have the courage to make more dramatic transformations if it truly wants to adapt and remain a leading voice. As author Whitney Johnson says “disrupting yourself is critical to avoiding stagnation.”
In that spirit, NCTA and our Board of Directors have made the decision to sunset our annual industry trade show, INTX. We are now exploring new and better ways to tell our story, to gather our community, to advance our growth and present our vision of the future. We believe large trade show floors, dotted with exhibit booths and stilted schedules have become an anachronism. Contemporary venues emphasize conversation, dialog, and more intimate opportunities to explore and interact with technology. Ending INTX gives us a clean slate and we are excited to explore presenting our industry in new and different ways.
NCTA has hosted a trade show for 65 years. It has been a fixture of our organization and our industry, and in its time it served a valuable purpose. Many of us have many fond memories of shows gone by and will continue to swap stories about past experiences. But all good things must come to an end. And endings hold the promise of new beginnings.
Visit the INTX Homepage to look back on some of our favorite show moments. And share your show memories on the INTX Facebook page.
This blog also appeared in CTAM Smartbrief. To sign up, click here.