A Hundred Years of Tech Excellence

As an industry well known for emphasizing the importance of standards, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has played an enormous role in the development of film, video and audio technology over the past century. In July, the association formally celebrated its 100th anniversary, but the celebrations will continue over the next year, with its Centennial Gala this fall and the release of a commemorative book in time for the 2017 NAB Show. I recently had a chance to talk with Barbara H. Lange, SMPTE's current executive director about its plans for the fall conference as well as SMPTE's importance in furthering the development of audio and video technology in today's fast-paced media environment.

TV TECHNOLOGY: What are your plans for celebrating SMPTE's 100th?

BARBARA H. LANGE: SMPTE has been celebrating its centennial all year, kicking off with the SMPTE Australia Section's biennial conference and exhibition in July 2015. Other Sections also have been holding celebratory meetings as well. We are working on several special projects, including a commemorative book that is due to publish in April 2017 and oral history interviews. We've also reenergized our documentary project by partnering with 3Roads Communications to produce a project that appeals to both broadcast and cinema. All of this leads to a special evening, the Centennial Gala on Friday, Oct. 28, in Hollywood, where we will all celebrate the founding of this organization and its contribution to the industry as we look to the future.

In 2014, the SMPTE Board of Governors launched a major capital fundraising campaign to align with the Centennial. The goal was to reach $4 million in contributions, which will be used to invest in the Society's three pillars, membership, education and standards. I am pleased that today, we have received $1.8 million in gifts, many of which are from individuals. We hope to make new donor announcements at the SMPTE 2016 Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition in October.

SMPTE members and staff celebrated the organization's 100th anniversary by ringing the nASdAQ closing bell on July 22.

LINK:	http://www.tvtechnology.com/resources/0006/a-hundred-years-of-tech-exc...
	See more stories from tvtechnology

Most recent headlines