Post-show Recap: 2024 NAB Show Draws 61,000+ Attendees
May 22, 2024
Produced by the National Association of Broadcasters, the premier advocacy association for U.S. radio and television broadcasters, the NAB Show is held annually in April in Las Vegas, where it has taken place since 1991. As the largest show for the broadcast, media and entertainment ecosystem, the massive event attracts thousands of content professionals each year.
Who, When & Where: NAB Show, April 13-17, Las Vegas Convention Center
New leadership: The 2024 edition marked a passing of the torch for NAB leadership, with Executive Vice President and Managing Director, NAB Global Connections and Events Chris Brown stepping down from his role following the show after more than 25 years with the organization. He is succeeded by industry veteran Karen Chupka, who will set the strategy, manage the business and inspire the people who produce NAB Show, NAB Show New York and NAB Amplify, an online community of innovators and content creators.
By the numbers: The show floor buzzed with innovation as nearly 1,300 exhibitors from 41 countries showcased and unveiled groundbreaking products and technologies. From AI-powered production tools to immersive virtual reality experiences to the latest tech for broadcast and delivery and everything in between, the ever-evolving landscape of media creation and consumption was showcased by companies from early-stage startups to powerhouse brands. More than 200 first-time exhibitors engaged with attendees.
Who exhibited: NAB exhibitors debuted and showcased thousands of new products and next generation and pioneering technologies from brands including Adobe, ARRI, AWS, Blackmagic Design, Canon, Fujifilm, JVC Professional Video, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Sony and Verizon Business. Nearly 200 exhibitors displayed AI/machine learning tools and tech.
Who attended: A staggering 54% of the more than 61,000 projected registered attendees experienced the event for the first time. More than a quarter of attendees (27%, up 2% from last year) were international, representing 163 countries and included 34 delegation buying groups from all across the world. Ten first-time delegations attended from Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Oceana and Central Asia.
International appeal: NAB Show presented its first-ever all-Spanish language session, “A Case Study of Caliente TV’s Studio Build” and the “Latin America Broadcast Market.” The Show also hosted five international pavilions, with exhibitors from Germany, France, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Korea and Belgium.
What they’re saying: “We’re blown away to see over half of our attendees this year experiencing NAB Show for the first time,” Chupka said. “This, and the strong international attendance proves that NAB Show is where global storytellers come to find the tools and technologies needed to create, distribute and monetize content.”
Sessions & speakers: More than 1,050 thought leaders from across the content ecosystem spoke at more than 750 sessions that explored the future of storytelling, the rise of streaming platforms, generative AI and its impact on the industry and the evolving media landscape. Speakers included Frances Berwick, chairman, NBCUniversal entertainment; Terry Crews, America’s Got Talent host; Jennifer Hudson, EGOT winner, entertainment icon and host of The Jennifer Hudson Show; and Phil Wiser, EVP, CTO and head of multiplatform operations at Paramount Global.
What’s new: The show launched the Creator Lab, sponsored by Blackmagic Design, and expanded show programming to include more pioneering creators to share their insights with the next generation. These digital disrupters included Sean Evans, host and co-creator of Hot Ones; Mark Hustvedt, president of MrBeast YouTube; Casey Neistat, YouTube personality, filmmaker, digital creator and co-founder at Beme; and Sean Sotaridona, creator of SeanDoesMagic. Nearly 100 sessions covered the creator economy.
Looking ahead: Planning is already underway for NAB Show New York, Oct. 9-10, 2024, and next year’s NAB Show, set for April 5-9, 2025 (Exhibits April 6-9), at the LVCC.
All photos courtesy of NAB Show
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