Re: low NAB hotel rates for 2009

I find this tread interesting because some of the conclusions are the same as mine.

But as "non-exhibitors" ya'll may not realize that NAB has progressively increased the price of the floor space to the point that the "cost per lead" of exhibiting is nearly prohibitive.

The other problem is the days of the show. Essentially making it a 3-day show (no one sticks around for Thursday) means attendees are rushed and rarely spend the time at more than a handful of booths to actually understand the products and technology. (Compare it to IBC which is much more relaxed and in-depth for visitors.)

I always enjoyed NAB from a "social" standpoint--being one of the few venues to put faces with names, and greet long standing customer/friends. There is much to be said about that.

I remember in the early 90's the SMPTE show was still well attended. And there were the regional Video Expo shows too. But NAB essentially killed them both off by attracting a lot of non-broadcasters who were forced to use higher-end products just to have reasonable quality for reproduction. When DV came along, most non-broadcasters moved to that format as it was cheaper and 'good enough'.

I also remember at one NAB counting over 100 editors on the floor! And I thought to myself, surely this will weed itself out to half dozen before it's all over....

Anyway, NAB is not a dying show, but it could use some downsizing.

There is nothing like putting your hands on a piece of equipment or asking product engineers directly your questions. Those things are difficult to do over the web. And the broadcasters who are considering large investments in one technology or another must do their homework...

Video logging is just the beginning...