By Fredwill Hernandez
Every April (this year from April. 11 -16, 2015) over 100,000 enthusiast representing primarily the broadcast, digital and entertainment industries, among others from over 159 countries, will converge in Las Vegas, at the Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center (LVCC) for the NAB Show (The National Association of Broadcasters), an event that attracts over 1,700 exhibitors, among them 244 new comers, with a conference program that will include among others, the Connected Media | IP, focusing on the consumer experience; the Drone Pavilion, featuring a fully enclosed “flying cage” for demonstrations; the New Media Expo (NMX), hosting celebrity bloggers, digital content creators, and podcasters; StudioXperience, a live studio using all the latest tools; and SPROCKIT, where market-ready startups present their new ideas.
Among show highlights according to NAB, include the ATSC Technology Pavilion featuring technologies related to new and emerging ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) standards including Non-Real Time, Audio Loudness, ATSC 2.0 and ATSC 3.0, broadcast 3DTV, Mobile DTV, and other areas of interest; the multiscreen viewing experience will come to life in the Connected Media | IP area, the solutions destination that explores the underlying technologies enabling audiences to receive, discover and interact with content across any device, anywhere through IP (Internet Protocol) focused technology including IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), OTT (over-the-top content), mobile, social and cloud; the Futures Park, a showcase of advanced projects, presented by NAB Labs, featuring demonstrations of high-tech media developments in progress from academic, government, and commercial research laboratories in the United States and around the world, also including prototypes, and products not yet available for sale; the NMX (New Media Expo), featuring some of the most recognized bloggers, podcasters, Web TV content creators and social media visionaries, including more than 100 educational sessions within new media exhibits and the popular Speed Networking sessions; the Post Production Campus, curated in partnership with Future Media Concepts, this learning and networking area of the Show floor will feature creative sessions by noted editors, “Ask the Expert” stations, daily raffles, 30-minute sessions, presented by certified instructors, birds-of-a-feather meet ups and reel reviews; the StudioXperience, where you can see the latest live broadcast studio technologies of acquiring, transferring, creating, and distributing or enjoying content on the latest platforms from industry leaders manning, engaging, and answering questions during more than 50 different demonstrations, among a multitude of other informative activities.
(Photo by Fredwill Hernandez)
Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to attend informative workshops taking place during NAB Show which include the AM Radio Boot Camp, the Digital Strategies Exchange for Radio (DSX4r), the Digital Strategies Exchange for Television (DSX4t), Media Technologies for Military and Government, RF Boot Camp, Television News Director Seminar, and the Driving Your Business with Data: Google Analytics for Audience and Advertiser Growth.
Aside from the workshops, the NAB Show, also hosts broadcasting industry related conferences taking place during the show that include, the Broadcast Engineering Conference, Broadcast Management Conference, the Creative Masters Series, the Media Finance and Investor Conference, the Media Management in the Cloud, the Online Video Conference, and also the Technology Summit on Cinema.
According to NAB, Shonda Rhimes, creator and executive producer of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” will be inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame at the 2015 NAB Show Television Luncheon taking place on Monday, April 13 in Las Vegas.
Also taking place during the NAB Show will be the 28th Annual Crystal Radio Awards (sponsored by ASCAP), during its NAB Show Radio Luncheon taking place Tuesday, April 14, to honor the 2015 NAB Crystal Radio Awards recipients.
Among the 50 finalist for the 2015 NAB Crystal Radio Awards, include, KBHP-FM Bemidji, MN, KFOR-AM Lincoln, NE, WJJY-FM Baxter, MN, KIKV-FM Alexandria, MN, KLCK-FM Bellevue, WA, KLIN-AM Lincoln, NE, KPCW-FM Park City, UT, KPRS-FM Kansas City, MO, KRMG-FM Tulsa, OK, KSL-FM Salt Lake City, UT, KTTS-FM Springfield, MO, among the 39 other radio stations.
During the 2015 NAB Crystal Radio Awards, 10 radio stations out of the 50 finalists will be recognized for their year-round commitment to local community service.
NAB will also honor WLEN-FM, Adrian, MI, with the esteemed NAB Crystal Heritage Award, during the NAB Show Radio Luncheon. The Heritage Award recognizes radio stations that have won a total of five Crystal Radio Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. According to NAB, only four other stations have received this honor in the history of the NAB Crystal Radio Awards.
Kevin Ryder and Gene “Bean” Baxter host of the long-running “Kevin & Bean Morning Show” of CBS Radio’s KROQ Los Angeles, will be inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame, also taking place during the NAB Show Radio Luncheon (Tuesday, April 14).
Debuting on Jan. 2, 1990, The “Kevin & Bean Morning Show,” is the longest-running a.m. drive show on the air in Southern California, which features music and news mixed with comedy, listener call-ins, celebrity interviews, and live music performances. In line with “The World Famous KROQ” modern rock format, Kevin and Bean’s “Breakfast With…” series has featured countless bands like Foo Fighters, U2, No Doubt, Nine Inch Nails, and Weezer, among others.
Other award recipients will be radio engineer Thomas F. King of Kintronic Labs and television innovator Richard M. Friedel of Fox who have been named the 2015 recipients of the NAB Engineering Achievement Awards. In addition, a NAB Service to Broadcast Engineering Award will be presented to Ray Conover, senior engineering consultant for Hubbard Broadcasting. The recipients will be honored at the NAB Show Technology Luncheon on Wednesday, April 15 in Las Vegas.
As was the case in 2014, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler will speak at this year’s NAB Show as well, his address will be held Wednesday, April 15, 9:00-10:00 a.m., and is expected to provide insight into the FCC’s policy and regulatory objectives related to broadcasting, technology and communications law generally.
Even though there are many events surrounding the NAB Show taking place Sat. April 11 and Sun.-April 12, the show floor opens up Mon. – April 13, for more information about other events also taking place during the show, or to register, log on to www.nabshow.com
About NAB Show NAB Show, held April 11-16, 2015 in Las Vegas, is the world’s largest electronic media show covering the creation, management and delivery of content across all platforms. With more than 98,000 attendees from 150 countries and 1,600+ exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, NAB Show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. For complete details, visit www.nabshow.com