Celebrating 30 years since it was first created, ENTECH Roadshow has now diversified with major production suppliers Chameleon, Novatech Creative Event Technology, Brisbane Sound and Resolution X all participating. Single-city exhibition space is also now available, allowing a toe in the water with one on one access to hundreds of potential customers.
Back in 1993 founders Caroline and Julius Grafton modelled the trade show on PLASA, which, at the time, was the leading sound, lighting and vision trade show globally. A working relationship with the UK show saw an offer to sell in 1987 by which time ENTECH offered 10,000 square metres of space with many extensive and elaborate stands. The potential globalisation didn’t happen, and eventually, the Graftons offloaded ENTECH to Kerry Packer’s Consolidated Press. Packer then onsold his events firm to Staging Connections, where manager Louise Brooks eventually left to start Integrate with Alchemedia Publishing.
ENTECH lacked legs with a series of non-industry managers failing to understand that the ‘entertainment tech’ industry in Australia is heavily relationship driven. This failure has been seen numerous times with businesses like Hills buying Audio Telex, and then imposing a corporate template. The seasoned industry professionals leave – and take their contacts with them. Eventually the corporatised business folds, as did ENTECH and Julius Grafton bought it back – for 5 cents in the dollar.
Ten years ago Grafton started CX Roadshow which upended the ENTECH model by touring small exhibits for a one-day ‘pop up’ trade show in the five major capital cities. It was an immediate success, and with the addition of the ENTECH brand and database, continued to grow before running into the wall of the pandemic in 2020. Last year it returned with an east coast run, and this October looks to be the most extensive tour so far, covering the nation.
