[Inter BEE 2018] will finally open tomorrow on November 14 (Wed)! This year will be the largest exhibition ever with 1,152 companies and groups exhibiting from 2,054 booths.

Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA: Chairman Masaki Sakuyama, Executive Chairman of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation) will hold Inter BEE 2018 in Makuhari Messe (Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture) for three days starting tomorrow, November 14 (Wed), until the 16 (Fri).

　This year is the 54th Inter BEE and it is being held under the slogan “Conveying the possibilities of new media to the world.” This international exhibition features the latest in video, broadcasting, telecommunications, acoustics, lighting, and media business innovations all under one roof. The media communication and entertainment world of the near future is revealed through exhibits, presentations, and hands-on events.

This year’s exhibition is the largest ever with 1,152 exhibiting companies and groups (1.1% than 2017’s 1,139 companies/groups) exhibiting from 2,054 booths (3.5% more than 2017’s 1,983 booths). The entire 54,000m2 of floor space from Makuhari Messe International Exhibitions 1 to 8 and the Event Hall will be used and divided into the four exhibitor categories of Professional Audio Equipment, Video Expression/Professional Lighting, Video Production/Broadcast Equipment, and ICT/Cross Media. During the three days of the exhibition 40,000 visitors are expected. (2017: 38,083)

■A new age in media is dawning as we await the start of new 4K/8K satellite broadcasting
　This year’s exhibition, which is being held immediately before the start of new 4K/8K satellite broadcasting on December 1, 2018, will:
(1) Introduce the latest 4K/8K production technology that supports new video expression,
(2) Introduce the programs and contents of all channels of the nine companies that are starting broadcast service this year, and
(3) Introduce the method for receiving the new 4K/8K satellite broadcasts, etc.

The production technology, broadcasting services, and receiving systems related to the new 4K/8K satellite broadcasts will be widely disseminated, so this is a symbolic opportunity to open the new age of media.　

■Held concurrently with the Digital Contents EXPO 2018
　
Further, this year will be the first time the exhibition will be held concurrently with the Digital Contents EXPO (Organizer: Digital Content Association of Japan). Concurrently holding Inter BEE and the Digital Contents EXPO, where you can experience the AI, 360 degree video, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and other leading-edge digital contents technologies and expressions that appeal to your sense of touch and smell as well as your vision and hearing and that are pioneering the way to the future, will produce a synergistic effect and create many new discoveries and business opportunities.

■New plan: INTER BEE 5G/INTER BEE IP PAVILION
　The new plan INTER BEE 5G provides a new visual experience using 5th generation mobile communication systems (5G). Further, the INTER BEE IP PAVILION has been newly established to feature relay presentations and exhibits of IP related manufacturers together with giving an actual IP equipment connection demo, which has been proven at oversees exhibitions, for the first time at Inter BEE through the cooperation of participating companies. This will introduce the latest initiatives in IP live transmissions to achieve next-generation live video production and distribution during this age of ever-increasing IP network speeds.

[Exhibition Overview]
■Name:
Inter BEE 2018/(54th) 2018 International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition

■Dates and times
November 14 (Wed) and 15 (Thr) 10:00-17:30, and November 16 (Fri) 10:00-17:00, 2018 (3 days)

■Venue:
Makuhari Messe (Exhibit Halls 1-8, Event Hall, International Conference Hall)
2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba-ken

■Admission:
Free (registration required)

■Organizer:
Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA)

■Sponsors:
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (pre-agreed order), NHK, The Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association, The Association of Radio Industries and Businesses, Digital Content Association of Japan, The Association for the Promotion of Advanced Broadcasting Services (in no particular order)