If one goes by bookings of floor space at the forthcoming Media-Tech Europe 2009 at Frankfurt, Germany (22-24 April), the optical disc manufacturing - and Blu-ray in particular – is surprisingly gung-ho given the dire economic climate.

“With the Frankfurt event the early messages from our members indicated that the event would probably be smaller in size and we planned accordingly,” says Bryan Ekus, Director of the Media-Tech Association. “Now much to our delight the event has grown beyond our expectations and we opened a new area to allow more companies to participate. This area is now also sold out.”

Sony DADC will be organising a new special Blu-ray road show on the second evening. This event will be approximately 45-minute long. The company has also agreed to be a VIP sponsor of the MEDIA-TECH conference which will be co-organized with Future Source consulting.

The Content Delivery and Storage Association will hold its Anti-Piracy conference on the second day of our event. The CDSA already has agreements for presentations from IFPI, MPA, Disney, the EU Enforcement Team and the International Video Federation. This will draw representatives from the replication industry, distribution, studios and content owners. This event again is invitation only.

Exhibitor-led workshops are planned for the afternoons of Days 1 and 2. These workshops are free of charge. At tis writing, Singulus, M2, Phillips, and EcoDisc Technology are hosting these 45-minute presentations.

Last but not least, the Blu-ray Disc Association will host a special condensed version of their cancelled Barcelona event on the third day. More details to follow. The updated conference program can be located at http://www.media-tech.net/europe09/conference/program.html

Story filed 01.03.09