By Randi Altman
After weeks of will they or won’t they, and many companies announcing they won’t be exhibiting, NAB announced Wednesday it has canceled its Las Vegas show.
NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith released a statement yesterday that included this bit about what might be next: “We are still weighing the best potential path forward, and we ask you for your patience as we do so. We are committed to exploring all possible alternatives so that we can provide a productive setting where the industry can engage with the latest technology, hear from industry thought leaders and make the game-changing connections that drive our industry forward.”
Some think NAB will be rescheduled, but even the NAB isn’t sure what’s next. They sent this in response to my question about their plans: “We’re in the process of engaging with exhibitors and attendees to gauge their interest in what will be the best path forward for the show. Options under consideration include an event later this year or expanding NAB Show New York in the fall. All of this is, of course, premised on COVID 19 fears being alleviated. We will be in touch with the NAB Show community as decisions are made.”
What is certain is that product makers were prepared to introduce new tools at NAB 2020, and while some might choose to push back their announcements, others are scrambling to find different ways to get their message out. The easy solution is to take everything online — demos, live streaming, etc.
For our part, postPerspective will be covering news from NAB, without there actually being at NAB. Our NAB video interviews and special Video Newsletters will happen, but instead of being from the show floor, we will be conducting them online. And as news comes in, we’ll be reporting it. So check our site for the latest innovations from what we’re now calling “NAB season.” And we’re trying to think outside the box, so if there’s a way we can help you get your message out, just let us know.
I think everyone will admit that trade shows have been evolving, and traditional trade shows have realized that as well. This year even NAB was set to start on a Sunday for the very first time in an effort to expand access to the show floor.
I, for one, am excited to see what’s next. As Plato said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Sometimes something bad has to happen to get us to the next step… sooner than we were planning on it.
