2013 NAB Show Blends Creativity and Innovation

April 17, 2013

From large screens to small, the future of broadcast and digital media was in the spotlight at the National Association of Broadcasters’ NAB Show 2013 that took place April 6-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

NAB reported exhibit space grew nearly 10 percent, compared with 2012. The event had 1,600 exhibitors spanning 900,000 net square feet of exhibit space, up from 815,000 net sq. ft. in 2012. Attendance was also up at 92,414, compared with 91,565 last year.

“It’s shaping up to be our best show since the last peak in 2008,” said Chris Brown, NAB executive vice president of conventions and business operations.

From mobile video delivery to web content development and pending broadcast spectrum regulations, there’s plenty happening in the broadcast industry, and the show is quick to respond to the changes with new programming.

“It’s a very disruptive time, but we can bring people together to zero in on where the opportunities are,” Brown said.

At the Disruptive Media Conference, for example, broadcasters could explore developments in online video, mobile and branded entertainment. 

The Connected Media World focused was on the changing consumer habits of media consumptions and the technology that’ shaping the experience, such as IPTV and multiscreen projection onto your living room wall. SPROCKIT gave 10 innovative startups a moment to shine among the big guys.

The buzz on the floor was about 4K, also known as Ultra HD, the next generation of high definition that lets you count every eyelash.

Brown said, “Each time a generational shift occurs, there are new opportunities for us.  It drives attendance and generates new exhibiting eco systems.”

The new cool thing next year is likely to be 8K, Super Hi-Vision system that was demoed at the show by the Japanese public broadcaster NHK at NAB’s Futures Park.

It’s always a good sign when by the last day exhibitors are about to lose their voice. Lukas Hurwitz, marketing manager for Inovonics, said they had a very busy four days and successfully launched four products.

The company has becoming to NAB for close to 40 years and he added they consider it a must-attend event for the radio industry.

Hurwitz said he was very pleased with the quality of the leads, adding, “It looks like people who’d been waiting for the past few years are finally ready to spend some money.”

First-time attendee Wayne Giesbrecht, media developer for University of Saskatchewan, was focusing on new ideas of tapeless asset management.

An audio engineer by trade, he said he enjoyed learning about new technologies, especially green screens without the actual screen and computerized handheld steadycam.

“Seeing that in person was very cool,” Giesbrecht added.

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.