By Susan Ashworth, TV Tech
Convention to reflect the industry’s evolution and offer guidepost to what lies ahead
The 2022 NAB Show returns live and in-person, ready to reintroduce every sector of the media industry — from creatives to technicians to strategists to engineers — to a reimagined show reflecting a transformed media environment.
In response to an industry that has shifted, expanded and fluctuated in unprecedented ways over the past few years, the National Association of Broadcasters will stage a convention delineated into three key themes — creation, connection and capitalization — with an additional focus on intelligent content.
As in years past, attendees will find insight in educational sessions, conferences, pavilions and conferences held across several halls in the Las Vegas Convention Center, including the newly opened West Hall.
“Recognizing it is imperative that our show reflect the dynamics of our industry, we have reimagined and redesigned the show to align with how our industry works,” said new NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “This will maximize the experience and ROI for our exhibitors and attendees, while creating a forum that is conducive for commerce, innovation and making valuable connections.”
The organization said the new format will help those in the modern media marketplace connect more closely to people and solutions. On the show floor, exhibitors will be located in the area that they best represent. Acquisition and production companies can be found within Create; distribution companies can be found in Connect; delivery and monetization companies can be found in Capitalize.
This makes for a different, more closely curated show, said Chris Brown, executive vice president and managing director of Global Connections and Events for NAB.
The new Intelligent Content showcase, located in the West Hall, will explore the ways in which data, artificial intelligence and automation are influencing the full content life cycle, from the way content is created and managed to the manner in which it is delivered, consumed and monetized.
A series of sessions and pavilions will target key areas of growth. According to Sam Matheny, NAB executive vice president of Technology and the organization’s CTO, NextGen TV is one of the fastest growing and most exciting areas of expansion. “There are more stations, more receivers, more viewers and more new opportunities around better picture, sound and interactivity to drive engagement,” he said.
In-person demonstrations at locations such as NextGen Now in the Experiential Zone will help media companies understand the challenges in implementing the ATSC 3.0 standard in local markets.
Attendees can learn more about 5G production techniques, particularly around live events. “And when combined with cloud workflows, which is even bigger, it borders on revolutionary for how broadcasters source, produce and publish their content,” Matheny said.
Another significant area of growth: streaming media. A two-day Streaming Summit is returning with a look at the technical and business challenges in packaging, monetizing and distributing online video. “Whether it be audio or video, ad-supported or subscription, live or on-demand, or via handheld remote or voice-controlled, streaming is an exciting and growing way broadcasters and media companies are reaching consumers,” Brown said.
With the integration of the Radio Show, NAB Show offers an abundance of specially curated programing focused on the future of audio as well as targeted networking opportunities for radio professionals — more than at any other event previously. Sessions and networking events focus on business and professional development opportunities and include industry thought leaders and trailblazers.
“NAB Show provides exceptional value for radio through exposure to the entire media and entertainment ecosystem at a time when broadcast companies have evolved into multimedia companies — increasingly diversifying their distribution and revenue streams,” said Ann Marie Cumming, senior vice president of Communications at NAB.
A number of sessions will rewind and reflect lessons learned during the pandemic shutdown, such as sessions on remote work solutions, expanding workflow into more efficient systems and ensuring privacy and security.
Additional programming and trainings have also been created in response to feedback from the NAB Show community to better prepare attendees to address current issues affecting the media landscape. NAB Show has partnered with the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) to present two intensive educational workshops, developed in coordination with the newly formed Cine Consortium, covering cinematic techniques in lighting. In addition, a diversity symposium will focus on the recruitment process and helping companies attract a diverse workforce in a hyper-competitive hiring environment, while the #GALSNGEAR Women’s Leadership Summit will provide learning and networking and content to help women in media, entertainment and technology advance their careers.
Today, NAB plans to welcome 2022 inductees The Price Is Right and Jim Bohannon into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame, as well as 2021 inductees Lester Holt and NPR’s All Things Considered, during the Achievement in Broadcasting Awards. Hubbard Radio’s Jeremy Sinon will also receive the 2022 Digital Leadership Award during the ceremony. NAB will also honor engineers Ashruf El-Dinary of Xperi Corp. and Peter Sockett of Capitol Broadcasting Co. today with the presentation of the Engineering Achievement Awards. NAB’s LeGeyt will deliver his inaugural State of the Broadcast Industry keynote during Monday’s NAB Show Welcome event.
According to the NAB’s Brown, what makes this NAB Show special is not just that it’s been so long since we’ve seen one another — it’s that there is so much possibility in that reconnection.
“There has been a lot made of how businesses have been able to adapt to doing business remotely, and while it is true to a degree, there is nothing that can deliver the same impact as in-person interaction,” Brown said. “At a large event like NAB Show there is an energy, excitement and shared connection that simply can’t be replicated.”
