INDUSTRY. NAB PREVIEW
Broadcast, media and entertainment industry giant marks its centenary in Sin City
WORDS. Robert Shepherd IMAGES. Emma Stevens
N ot many of us get to mark our Show will do when it celebrates its centenary in a few weeks. One of the world’s longest-running trade shows, it started in 1923, the same year Cecil B DeMille’s biblical epic The Ten Commandments became a critical and commercial success. Since then, the event has grown exponentially and is about to open its doors to north of 1000 companies, including 140+ first-time exhibitors. Debut products, trailblazing technologies, interactive exhibits and live demonstrations will occupy more than 575,000 sq ft of space organised by distinct destinations throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North, Central and West Halls. 100th birthday in Las Vegas – but that’s exactly what the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
“Companies, large and small, are turning out en masse to exhibit at NAB Show, including more than a few that skipped last year’s,” ensures Chris Brown, NAB executive vice president and managing director of global connections and events. “Exhibit sales are already nearly 20% ahead of where we ended up in 2022. This is a testament to the power of trade shows to unite the industry, create connections and generate commerce. We are thrilled to see the momentum established at the 2022 event translating to healthy growth, excitement and what promises to be an incredible show of the latest, greatest tech from some of the most influential companies on the planet.” WORK THE FLOOR It goes without saying that the presence of so many people in one venue provides an excellent platform for networking with other professionals in the industry. However, the two-year hiatus imposed by Covid-19 has meant that in-person meetings hold more value than ever. What was once taken for granted is now seen as a boon. Paul Scurrell, senior vice president of product at video technology innovator Atomos, explains why it’s important to have a physical presence at such an august event. “The company has evolved from supplying stand-alone monitor-recorders
BRAND SPANKING NEW The show floor is a boundless sweet shop of industry big hitters showing their wares
to becoming a key player in the connected and collaborative environments that are driving video production today,” he says. “So, although the irony isn’t lost on me that we all still physically attend a giant trade show each year, we do find that there is a powerful element of ‘seeing is believing’ and a gratifying need for basic human interaction. We always love to listen and engage with our customers face to face wherever possible.” John Fuller, director of sales and marketing at Chimera Lighting, concurs. “It’s our market, primarily,” he explains. “We do a lot of our business in the US, and it’s a chance to see our customers and users in-person.” “We do find there is a powerful element of ‘seeing is believing’ and a gratifying need for basic human interaction”
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