PMA 2011 trade show bumped to autumn; open to the public finally

PMA has made some big changes to its 2011 trade show. Not only will there be a major scheduling change, but now the worldwide imaging trade body has even opened up the doors to the public - at least for one day.

If you're interested in hitting up one of the world's biggest photo and imaging expos, mark your calendars for September 8-10, 2011. PMA 2011 will be held in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Normally, the show is held in the first quarter, often causing scheduling conflicts when competing with CES that also takes place in Las Vegas. PMA execs accredit the date change to "industry buying cycles and technology developments." But it will also place their vendors in a plum spot for displaying products directly ahead of the holiday buying season. That includes camera and camcorder brands, digital photo frame manufacturers, photo publishers and basically anyone else who works in the imaging industry.

Also groundbreaking (if not more so) is that photo enthusiasts will be allowed to be admitted to the show for the first time. But it will only be for a single day (Saturday, September 10), so plan accordingly if this applies to you.