PMA 2003 Delivers Crisp Snapshot of Digital Image Trends

摘要

Electronic mail (e-mail) is a driving force in the shift to digital technologies, including digital images. Consumers want to do more than exchange text e-mail, they also want to share songs and photos. Such demands have catapulted the digital camera to new growth. The marketing research division of the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) in the United States estimates that 21 percent of U.S. households owned a digital camera by the end of 2002. In a Nov. 5, 2002 report, the InfoTrends Research Group estimated that global shipments of low-end digital cameras (those selling for less than US$1,000) totaled 24 million units in 2002. That is 28 percent of all camera sales worldwide, excluding one-time-use models. InfoTrends also predicts that global shipments of low-end digital cameras will climb 16 percent to 51 million units in 2007, with revenues totaling US$11.8 billion. With such prospects in mind, the Photo Marketing Association presented its 79th annual event, PMA 2003, from March 2 to 5 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada, the United States. Exhibitors emphasized the introduction of new models and proposals for digital printing systems. The event drew more than 750 exhibitors, up 16 percent from last year, and more than 30,000 visitors.