Re: Avid says No to NAB 2008

I'm totally a person who believes rethinking and constantly evaluating your return on investment is a critical piece to running a successful business. And I totally understand "skipping" IBC and some of the smaller international exhibitions. However, we are talking about one of the largest trade shows on earth where product visibility is a key ingredient to "buzz" when you consider the internationl audience of NAB. And don't forget that this includes the international press.

The demise of trade shows (especially NAB) has been predicted for over a decade, and yet we are closing in on the pre 911 attendance numbers. The fact of the matter is, NAB is the umbrella that has upwards of 10 mini-conferences and an exhibition. If anything the NAB show is more relevant as the show is not just about broadcasters anymore. And while Avid may save a few hundred thousand not having the floor booth, they will most likely still spend plenty on the other involvement.

While I found my visit to Avid's booth last year very unimpressive (did like the script sync), in the past, when a new product was introduced, this was my best chance to look at the hardware and ask questions and compare other products on the floor. "We can do four streams..." Run over to Apple, "It depends..." Anyway, I spend the entire week and so often I come across questions I need answered due to new products (affecting workflows, etc.) and want to discuss how my current system will integrate - and this can occur over the entire four days as you consider budgets, partnerships, etc.
What's more efficient - waiting for a June local visit from Avid and then an October visit from another vendor to see if things will work together or one stop shopping?

While Avid will be at NAB. What will this look like? Will it be hard to get into sessions, parties, or will I have to be an ACSR? My point is, questions that need answering aren't going to go away - new products or not. And I truely hope Avid's strategy to have a presence at NAB is as inclusive as having a floor exhibit and not such a challenge that I have to hope I get "tickets" to some event so I can hear a marketing speech and not get my questions answered.