IP&TV World Forum 2012 has been hailed a success, with more than 7,163 visitors filling the halls at London’s Olympia last week. The event, which has been rebranded to TV Connect for 2013, saw a ten per cent increase on last year’s attendee numbers and fuelled the debate on the converging TV market, further strengthening its position as the global platform for this dynamic market.

With over 300 speakers at the show, delegates and attendees had the opportunity to listen to huge industry players, including Jesse Redniss, Vice President of Digital Strategy and Development at NBC Universal; Shawn Layden, Chief Operating Officer at Sony Network Entertainment; and Kristin Frank, General Manager of Digital Media at MTV, who gave the opening keynote speech on day one (keynotes are viewable on the event website).

General Manager of Twitter UK Tony Wang also delivered a keynote at the show, which focussed on the need for content sharing, as did Omid Ashtari, Business Development Director at foursquare, who provided insight on how brands can engage with their consumers.

The theme of the conference and exhibition was undoubtedly centred on connected entertainment, as highlighted by its programme which was divided into four tracks; content business: IP opportunities, multiscreen entertainment, new user experience management and networks and architecture for TV.

Gavin Whitechurch, Executive Director at Informa Telecoms & Media, was delighted with the show’s success and commented: “The content of this year’s program truly reflects the dynamic marketplace and the evolution of focus which is now inclusive of services and experience as much as technology. The discussion is now on service innovation and connected entertainment experiences, which is affirmed by the show’s rebrand to TV Connect for next year.”

The first day saw Google run the opening workshop at the event’s TV App Hub which assessed the monetisation opportunities presented by the convergence of television and apps. With an interactive agenda of developer workshops, break-out sessions and panel discussions, the TV App Hub proved to be invaluable for members of the developer community, addressing how developers can overcome increased fragmentation, the tools needed to provide the best SDK and the impact of HTML5.

The second and third days featured a host of speakers and conference sessions, including the Media Leadership Summit, which was hosted by Sky and placed a spotlight on the future of the converged and connected entertainment experience.

The event also provided key decision-makers with the chance to network and do business with over 200 exhibitors from telcos, cable providers, broadcasters and ISPs, consumer electronics and Smart TV companies, content providers, application developers, and connected entertainment providers.

IP&TV World Forum affirmed its position as the world’s leading connected entertainment event, uniting global players in the content, application provider, broadcast, cable, telcom and consumer electronics arena, providing unrivalled insight into converging TV industry.

“The event has experienced a sustained period of growth year on year, and with exhibitors already booking space for next year, we hope to replicate and build upon our success at next year’s TV Connect. Looking to the future, we are moving forward with a brand that encompasses all aspects of the TV delivery ecosystem, bringing industry players together to develop the future of the connected and interactive TV experience.”

The dates for next year’s TV Connect are 19 – 21 March 2013.