Next week the digital signage world converges on Las Vegas for the annual Digital Signage Expo trade show and educational program.

In addition to drawing most if not all the major players in digital signage as exhibitors, DSE also features a full slate of educational sessions, with a pre-show conference and educational seminars and industry discussion groups during the show itself.

The pre-show/pre-conference runs all day Tuesday, with the Digital Place-Based Advertising Summit and the Digital Signage Guided Installation Tours each running all day. Tuesday's schedule also includes programs like the Digital Signage Certified Expert (DSCE) course, the PRI Retailer Education Forum and the "SPEED II" Digital Signage Training.

Educational sessions during the two days of the show itself cover a wide range. Wednesday's sessions span "How to Source Content for Your Digital Signage Network" to "Creating a Multi-Screen Strategy: Connecting Digital Signage to What Matters" to "Digital Menu Boards in QSR: Why Now?" And Thursday's range from "Content Strategies for Workplace Digital Signage" to "Challenges of Network Deployment in Non-Company-Owned Locations" to "How to Generate Greater Revenue with Interactive Technology."

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Richard Lebovitz, who serves editorial and educational director on behalf of DSE for show organizers ExpoNation LLC, said the show's educational opportunities are intended to cover the digital signage spectrum.

"The Educational Conference Program for DSE 2012 has been designed to give end-users, technologists, administrators, digital network operators and systems integrators and installers relevant and topical seminar choices that follow a logical curriculum wholly adaptable to their respective needs," he said in an email. "Importantly, presenters are encouraged to share not only their expertise, but also tips and other information that attendees can apply immediately to help address challenges in their respective organizations."

Exhibitors at the show also cover the digital signage spectrum, from technology distributors and resellers to software firms to digital signage content providers. The major display manufacturers all will have a presence, as will digital signage specialist firms, and tech giants like Intel Corp. and Cisco Systems. And firms that specialize in content production, whether it's 2D or the latest in autostereoscopic 3D content, will be flaunting their abilities all over the show floor. (Check back here early next week for an overview of this year's exhibitors.)

Also, several of the show's exhibitors again this year collaborated on the "digital signage arch," a dramatic, synchronized video arch for the entry to the trade show's exhibition hall that measures almost 20 feet across and 8 feet high.

"We are excited to have a great host of products that deliver a fully integrated solution for this year's digital entrance unit project where we incorporate solutions utilizing BrightSign media players, Philips commercial displays, Peerless-AV mounts and Flixio Studios content," said Chris Gibbs, president of Atlanta-based ExpoNation.

According to Gibbs, DSE annually presents the world's largest industry-specific trade show, featuring more than 170 exhibitors showcasing new digital signage innovations like transparent LCD technology, interactive multitouch and gestural technologies, mobile- and smartphone integration, and the latest in content development:

"DSE ... is the only venue totally dedicated to digital signage, interactive technologies and digital media networks, where professionals involved in all aspects of the digital signage industry can come together to network and see the full scope of the latest innovative, leading-edge technologies available all under one roof."

Photos courtesy of BrightSign.

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