The Irresistible Lure of the NAB Convention

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I confess, I’m a junkie when it comes to NAB, the National Association of Broadcasters convention held annually in Las Vegas. Since I attended my first convention in 1984 (as a young producer at Ampex Corporation) I’ve been to around 25 NABs, and, after skipping last year’s show, I’m going again next month. You’d think that someone who’d been to all those conventions would be burned out on the crowds, the commotion, the information overload, and the mesmerizing glitz of Las Vegas. So why does this annual get-together of everything media-technology related still stir my drink after all these years? It’s just got to be the vibe.

NAB is unlike any other show of its kind in the world. It’s simply bigger, badder, and more intense. Literally everybody with something to sell to the media production industry is there representing their products and services. If you’re shopping for any kind of hardware, or production related services like stock footage or music, this is the one show to attend.

During my Ampex years NAB was a relatively staid affair dominated by the broadcast television networks. It was quite formal too.  Everyone, attendees and exhibitors alike, were dressed in lawyers’ attire and opening day was characterized by this massive wave of blue, gray, and black suits streaming into the hall at the opening bell. Network execs and their entourages would get private demonstrations of the latest technologies from the manufacturing execs. Carefully groomed professional presenters would stand on stages within their respective booths to give their pitches.

In the past 20 years much has changed at NAB, just as it has throughout the video and media production industry. Today the show’s scope is much broader, encompassing the gamut of media production from broadcast to webcast.   Suits have given way to tee-shirts and jeans, and the polyglot heard in the vast halls of the Lad Vegas Convention Center is more varied than ever.

But the vibe has remained the same. NAB says that the media industry truly matters to this world, and that those of us fortunate to be involved in professional media creation matter too. NAB is about inspiring creativity through a celebration of the latest tools and techniques. NAB is about seeing and meeting and exchanging ideas and information with fellow media professionals. NAB is excitement, energy, knowledge, and glamour. That’s the vibe the lures me back year after year.

But lest I get too carried away with  romanticized descriptions, here’s some practical advise for those you planning to attend for the first time:

  • If you’re primarily interested in seeing hardware and shopping for specific items, plan to attend on the last two days. The crowds and the noise levels are quite a bit reduced from the previous two days and you can actually get close to the gear and carry on a conversation.
  • Admit that you can’t see everything. The show is simply too big so concentrate on the areas of prime interest and target those booths for visiting. Then wander about and see what else strikes your fancy.
  • Comfortable shoes are essential. Prepare to walk miles per day.
  • I always pack gum or lifesavers (and a bottle of water). It’s easy to get dehydrated in the dry desert air down therein Vegas.
  • There are plenty of free maps of the show floors but be warned that it’s often pretty difficult to locate some of the smaller booths. The locator numbers hanging overhead don’t function very well in my opinion but don’t give up if you really want to see something.
  • If practical, buy food/snacks outside the convention center and bring it in with you. Prices in the hall are high, to say the least.

That’s all for now. I’ll post a short review after I return from the NAB next month. If you go too, have a great time!