Report on the ITE Show 2006, Yokohama Japan
by Dana Whalls, Automated Imaging Association (AIA)

The Automated Imaging Association (AIA) led a delegation of members to the 2006 ITE Show (International Technical Exhibition on Image Technology and Equipment) in Yokohama, Japan (December 6-8).  Our primary goal was to help members develop relationships and do business with Japanese companies.

The Japan Industrial Imaging Association (JIIA) was a key element to our success.  They worked closely with us in organizing the activities for the week.  We started with a match making meeting between JIIA and AIA members where each company gave a brief (but detailed) introduction of their business and what opportunities exist.  Twenty companies participated in this event.  We continued the relationship building with an AIA Networking Reception immediately following the meeting.  The weather was mild in Yokohama and approximately 70 people joined us as we enjoyed a beautiful night compete with full moon overlooking the harbor at the Ristorante ATTIMO.  Companies who participated included:

The ITE Show opened on December 6th featuring 249 companies and 550 booths (distributors and manufacturers).  The show was co-located with the 3D Expo and the Advanced Photonics Technology Exhibition. Among the AIA members who were represented at the show were Adimec, Artray, Aval Data, Basler AG, Beijing Microview Science and Technology Co. Ltd., CBC Co., Ltd., CCS Inc., CIS Corporation, Cognex, Cypress Semiconductor Corp., Daito Electron, DALSA Corporation, Edec Linsey Systems Co. Ltd., Edmund Optics, Fujinon Corporation, Graphin, Hamamatsu Photonics, Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc., JAI, Japan F.A. Systems Corporation, Kirin Techno-System Corporation, Kodak, Moritex Corporation, National Instruments, Pentax, Schott, Sentech, Sony Corporation, STAC Corporation, Tamron, Toshiba Corporation, and Toshiba TELI Corporation. The show reports a total attendance of 19,428 over 3 days. 

The ITE Show features the International Imaging Seminar which is organized by the Imaging Association Japan (IAJ).  The IAJ continued its tradition of making an important contribution to the machine vision industry by holding 21 seminars in conjunction with the ITE Show.  The seminars were a great success with two special speakers presenting to a standing room only crowd; Dr. Robert Shillman, CEO of Cognex and Professor Ohe Takeru, Waseda Graduate School.

The IAJ has been working closely with the ITE Show for more than 20 years.  They started with editing the show Products Guide and then offered two seminars to provide direct communication about new products and technologies, and have grown to now offer 21 seminars.

AIA and JIIA member Kirin Techno-System Corporation generously allowed our group of delegates to tour the Kirin Brewery located in Yokohama to see their impressive bottling inspection systems up close.  This was followed by an informative tour of the brewery and then a wonderful reception on-site hosted by JIIA. 

The overall feedback from the attendees of the AIA events and the ITE Show is very positive and we plan to host similar event at the ITE Show 2007.

For information on the 2007 ITE Show, contact the show organizer:
Mr. Norichika Yui
President
Seiki Tsushinasha Co., Ltd.
Telephone: +81-3-3367-0571
2-21-27 Haykunin-cho
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073
Japan

For information on the Japan Industrial Imaging Association (JIIA):
Visit www.jiia.org

For information on the Imaging Association Japan (IAJ):
Visit www.imaging-association-japan.com
Mr. Kani Naoyuki (Acting President of IAJ)
President, CEO
Japan F.A. Systems Corporation
Telephone: 81-45-576-0880
Tobu AK Bldg. 3-23-3 Shin-Yokohama
Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 222-0033
Japan