ShoW-way 2008

APIAS is a non-profit association founded in 1983 by some companies which at that time specialized in the manufacture of equipment for disco-theques.Later, from the original club world, the Italian trade’s production in this sector evolved, extending its activities into the theatre, audio & video production studios, trade fairs & expos, cruise liners, architecture, monument and museum.From then until the present day, this young industry, which is flexible and has always kept a close eye on clients’ needs, grew as far as both number of companies and product range were concerned, expanding its markets in Italy and abroad.

There are approximately 170 manu-facturers of entertainment equipment in Italy, located all over the country.
APIAS represents over 40 of the largest, most qualified firms, with a total workforce of approximately 1,100. The Italian trade currently exports approximately 60% of its output and APIAS members account for 72% of the sector’s overall export figures. Exports reach markets that are very far off and traditionally hard to enter, such as the Far East, and have achieved very prestigious positions in Europe, the United States, South America, Japan and Australia. Representative of Italy’s small/average industry, APIAS member firms have always shown they’re able to manufacture increasingly advanced equipment and have such an in-depth understanding of market needs as to even lead it, becoming real trendsetters. So nowadays, Italian-made products in this sector don’t just have excellent quality: price ratio, but also innovative technology and leading edge design.

APIAS itself intends offering a reference point for all trade members and helping its member companies to raise their products’ profile in Italy and abroad.

So, as well as periodically publishing this catalogue, with all the main information on each individual member, APIAS also participates in the most important international expos in traditionally important markets as well as in emerging countries.

At these events, APIAS takes part with an institutional stand, on which it distributes publicity material from the individual companies to interested visitors, puts spaces for business meetings at members’ disposal, provides interpreting facilities when necessary, gathers names and contact information on all potential clients visiting the stand and presents them in an end-of-show report for its members.

APIAS is also constantly committed to coordinating the trade’s common interests, favouring meeting for technical updating and gathering commercial information by commissioning in-depth market research projects, the results of which are put at members’ disposal.With a view to this, it's in constant contact with similar trade associations in related sectors in Italy and abroad.

In the context of this work for improving the exchange of information and maintain a constantly high profile at international level, in 1998, APIAS alsobecame a member of WORLD-ETF (World Entertainment Technology Federation).