“In light of the current circumstances, it is impossible to hold a rescheduled 2020 NAB Show this year,” President/CEO Gordon Smith said in a letter distributed Friday morning to “the NAB Show community” eager for an update on the association’s plans.
That said, the media industry’s largest advocacy group is proceeding “with a two-pronged approach to deliver as much value as possible under these circumstances to our exhibitors, partners, and the broadcast industry as a whole.”
The highlight of this approach: A new digital offering, and “enhancing” NAB Show New York later this year.
The digital offering is being called “NAB Show Express,” described by Smith as “a digital experience [that] will provide a conduit for our exhibitors to share product information, announcements and demos, as well as deliver educational content from the original selection of programming slated for the live show in Las Vegas.”
Smith also hopes “NAB Show Express” will create opportunities for the community to interact virtually — “all of which adds up to something that brings the NAB Show community together in a new way,” he said. “We know from many years of serving the community with face-to-face events, that connectivity is vital to the health and success of the industry.”
Regarding new tweaks to NAB Show New York, scheduled for Oct. 21-22 — one week following the rescheduled Hispanic Radio Conference — Smith alluded to “new programs, partners, and experiences.”
Grass Valley has already committed to having “a large presence” at the New York event.
Smith noted that the NAB has already had “numerous conversations with show partners about expanding their participation, and have heard from numerous exhibitors interested in enhancing their presence at this fall’s show. NAB Show New York represents the best opportunity for companies to announce and showcase their latest innovations and comes at a perfect time for the industry to gather face-to-face to restart, refocus, and reengage as we move forward together.”
Meanwhile, the NAB has already taken steps to begin planning for the 2021 NAB Show in Las Vegas, scheduled for April 11-14.
“This is a unique and challenging situation, but we are committed to working hard to deliver as much value as possible,” Smith said.
