NAB date change: The industry reacts

Take part in TVBEuropes survey asking for your opinions on the change of date and its impact on the industry

By Jenny Priestley

Published: September 10, 2020

Take part in TVBEurope's survey asking for your opinions on the change of date and its impact on the industry

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The news that the media technology industry's two main trade shows will take place within a month of each other in 2021 has prompted plenty of reaction from vendors.

Last night, NAB announced next year's show will take place from October 9th-13th, with IBC having previously confirmed its 2021 dates for 10th-14th September.

What does that mean for vendors? Will they be willing to attend and show new products at both shows?

TVBEurope would like to hear your opinions in our survey below.

Have your say in our trade show survey -- Create your own user feedback survey

Meanwhile, here are some reactions from those who would traditionally attend both shows.

Stuart Russell, senior communications manager, Ross Video: I can certainly understand why NAB decided to push the show dates back for next year (increases the odds of the event actually happening!) and make an early announcement on this. Clarity now helps everyone with planning, and that's very welcome. The obvious issue is the close proximity to IBC. I can only assume that 2021's NAB Show will be focusing on the domestic and short haul' audience, with IBC catering for the European crowd. My biggest concern is how we can manage the logistics of two events so close together. I'm assuming both events will be hybrid in nature, with a mixture of physical event + online activity, but companies with a global footprint (like Ross) will have some important decisions to make about the movement of equipment and people. My gut feeling is that many brands will choose to skip next October's NAB show and return again in April (if the event reverts to its traditional dates in 2022). Either way, we certainly welcome the early notice and the additional planning time it provides.

Martin Coles, VP of marketing at IPV: It's understandable that NAB has made this difficult decision given the available information. Certainly this shift begs the question, how will IBC and other shows fit into this change, and what will it mean for product development? We've been amazed at the innovations that have come out of this crisis, and while previously companies tended to revolve announcements around these tentpole shows, the industry is now innovating and adapting to new technologies not because we can but because we must.

Daniella Weigner, MD, Cinegy GmbH: One can understand NAB taking this decision now, which gives a lot of notice to its exhibitors and partners. It's also probably the right decision for NAB, considering that the feasibility to travel and conduct large exhibitions is, at this moment, still very uncertain even into next year. It's also probably the right time frame for NAB. It does however pose a quandary for exhibitors who usually do both NAB and IBC, to cover the two massive geographies. Logistically, many exhibitors from outside of the US sea freight their booths, and possibly don't have two on hand as IBC is a month early, the booth kit might not be available. Another aspect is staffing around this time. Having what are considered two major trade shows in Q4 2021 will pose some decision making. Which one? For North Americans, the choice is clear, NAB will be the winner. For the others, I believe IBC will be the choice. The end effect will be that NAB will become even more of an American trade show, with a smaller footprint that will lose the small to midsize companies.

Alison Pavitt, marketing manager at Pebble Beach Systems: The proactive move from NAB is to be applauded. Vendors will benefit from this early decision as work on budgets and plans for next year's shows begins this far out. Clearly the show now comes hard on the heels of IBC, which brings its own logistical challenges, and this new timing is likely to massively reduce the non-US attendance to the show next year.

Dominic Harland, CEO/CTO, GB Labs: This is a tricky situation for us because we traditionally support and exhibit at both IBC and NAB. We have an American office, based in LA, and for them, NAB is important. We are fortunate in that we have staff, kit and stands in both locations, but with regard to the marketing and support, especially follow-up on the leads generated, this is bound to cause some issues. At the moment, we are evaluating the situation and will continue to do so.

Bob Charlton, Scribe PR: I'm reminded of IBC's strapline they have used for a number of years - IBC - run by the industry, for the industry. When I apply this to the news that broke overnight, I can't see how NAB's decision to reschedule its main event in October can help anybody in our industry. I would urge NAB to reconsider its decision, and I would also urge NAB and IBC to work together to ensure that the best interests of exhibitors and attendees are fully factored into their decision making process.

Sergio Grce, CEO, iSIZE: We are so pleased that NAB is going ahead in 2021 and that the community is making sure that the latest COVID guidance is followed for the safety of all participants, however, IBC is also important to us and our customers and therefore, we will be exhibiting and supporting both shows and regions.

Adam Leah, creative director, nxtedition: As a European company, we see IBC as the major opportunity for us to reach our customers

LINK:	https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/nab-date-change-the-industry-reacts...
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