Five Questions for ... Chuck Sabin

We continue our series of interviews with representatives of the wireless alliances supporting Wireless Congress 2024. This time we talk to Chuck Sabin from the Bluetooth SIG about his personal Electronica story.

Over the past six decades, Electronica has evolved from a trade fair for electronic components to the world's leading trade fair for electronics. Since 2004, the Wireless Congress: Systems & Applications has been an integral part of Electronica. Organised by Elektronik, Messe München and ZVEI, the Wireless Congress is supported by various wireless alliances. One of these alliances is the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), whose senior director of market development Chuck Sabin gives us an insight into his experiences with Electronica and the Wireless Congress.

?   When and on what occasion did you first hear about the Electronica trade fair in Munich?

!   Chuck Sabin: I first heard of Electronica over a decade ago. Member companies from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) began telling me we should attend Electronica to get a better picture of what is happening in the electronics industry and help identify future priorities for the technology.

?   What impressions do you remember when you visited Electronica in Munich for the first time?

!   Sabin: What I remember most was the size of the exhibition and the diversity of companies and industries represented. My first visit was in 2012, and I talked to companies about their future roadmap and requirements for wireless technology. It was my first time. I don’t really know what to expect – except for the reviews I received from member companies about the importance of attending the show if you wanted to talk to a great amount of people and companies in a short period of time.

?   When and for what reason did you visit the Wireless Congress: Systems & Application for the first time?

!   Sabin: Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) was showing signs it was going to be the standard for wireless IoT enablement. Seeing this, Wireless Congress wanted to ensure their audience was well aware of the roadmap and priorities for Bluetooth LE that would enable developers to turn any device into a connected device.

I knew other leading technologies were participating in Wireless Congress as part of their engagement with Electronica. My expectation was it would offer a chance to address a focused audience concerned with the direction and opportunities available through the integration of wireless technology for IoT applications.

?   What significance do the Wireless Congress and Electronica have today, for the Bluetooth SIG and for you personally?

!   Sabin: Electronica still plays an important part for our members engaging in the enablement of wireless applications for IoT and other purposes. It provides a unique opportunity to address a wide range of suppliers and vertical industries all in one show.

?   What do you associate with the name Electronica today? What do you wish Electronica for the future?

!   Sabin: I wish for Electronica to be associated with the opportunity to connect with customers and suppliers of solutions across multiple vertical markets. So many solutions can cross industry; it is a privilege to have a venue where you can address so many audiences in a single place.

Chuck Sabin

is responsible for market development and research at the Bluetooth SIG and leads a wide range of market research, market planning, and business development initiatives. Working with the Bluetooth SIG executive team, Board of Directors, and member companies, Chuck helps to expose insight, trends, and projections that influence and drive the development of strategic business priorities.

A proud member of the Bluetooth SIG team for ten years, Chuck has an extensive background in marketing, product management, planning, and business development for mobile wireless networks, enterprise servers, mobile operating systems, mobile devices, and client software and services.