Every year in April, tens of thousands of video professionals from every corner of the industry touchdown in Las Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters Convention, otherwise referred to as NAB Show.
We were introduced to the convention by our friends at Mac House Productions while we were in California collaborating on a project. They told us that there was a space that existed, where video professionals from around the world come together to network, talk about the newest gear and share the love of the craft. We were instantly interested and immediately purchased our “free” exhibit pass. We have gone for the past two years and we will continue to go for the following reasons:
NETWORKING, NETWORKING, NETWORKING
Imagine entering a convention hall with thousands of like-minded professionals, sharing one common mission…to learn more about the their industry and develop new relationships to further their career. According to Hubspot.com, “Nearly 100% of people say face-to-face meetings are essential for long-term business relationships” and we couldn’t agree more. In fact, the majority of our business relationships are developed based on an in-person interaction. The value of showing up, shaking a few hands and exchanging several business cards, has proven to be a successful way to continue the growth of our network. Our biggest tip is to make sure no matter where you go, you have multiple business cards in your pocket and you are ready to give your elevator pitch….you never know who you might meet.
SELF-EDUCATE
It seems like the industry standard changes on a daily basis, so it is important to stay ahead of the learning curve. The perk about NAB is that industry leaders from all the major companies are there to talk to you face to face, about any question you have….about any product they have. You can gain insight firsthand and improve your knowledge about topics you are interested in. You can ask questions about workflow, data solutions, color correction…you name it. There are live speakers and demos throughout the entire convention so you can sit in and learn about projects, new gear and knowledge from leaders based on what they have experienced throughout their career. The more you know, the better off you will be!
TEST THE LATEST GEAR
Have you ever wanted to get your hands on a camera that is way out of your budget? NAB provides you with access to test the latest and greatest gear firsthand, without the pressure of having to buy it! This gear ranges from the newest gimbals, lenses, lighting systems, monitors, cranes, drones, and cameras….the list goes on! The best thing about testing new gear is that you can fully get a feel for the product before you decide to purchase it. You have the ability to compare product to product and make sure the choice is right for you and your project. When looking at gear over the internet it is hard to truly grasp the product so experiment while at NAB, have fun doing it, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
RELATIONSHIPS ARE EVERYTHING
One of our favorite parts about N.A.B is running into friends and clients that we worked with throughout our career! When the time of the convention starts to get close, we reach out to the people that may be going and we plan a time to meet them up to say hi on the show floor. This allows us to catch up on life, current projects and stay connected in this tight niche community. Aside from running into old friends and clients, our favorite thing to do is start making new friends in the industry. This is a great way to talk through workflow, inspiration and goals with a person that may not be in your personal network. To us, a huge part of growth is learning the industry from a different perspective.
HUNDREDS OF FREE GEAR RAFFLES
Another huge perk about N.A.B. is the chance to win “free” gear! Yes, you heard correctly…FREE gear. Companies are always looking for new ways to bring attention to their booths to attract new potential clients while showcasing their newest innovations. One of the proven ways is by holding several raffles during the convention. As you walk past their booths, they hand out tickets in exchange for a scan of your badge. They set a time to hold the raffle and if they call your number, you win! You may be thinking…do you really win? The answer is YES! We are currently two for two on winning gear from a company called I-Kan! This year we won the Remote Air Mini Single Channel Wireless Follow Focus, a $1050 value! In 2017, we took home the EC1 Beholder 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with Encoders, a $750 value!
Some of our favorite raffles to enter each year are Atomos, Small HD, Glidecam, DJI, I-Kan and Adorama. If you go, make sure to get into the raffles! You won’t regret it!
ENJOY YOUR FREE TIME
After all, you are in Vegas! Don’t forget to enjoy yourself and find some personal time to explore the town! While we are there we like to spend our off time exploring the Las Vegas Strip. There are several amazing places to grab a bite to eat, enjoy live entertainment and learn more about the culture. If you are into live music plus a dining experience with a view, check out Cabo Wabo Catina. If you are into gambling, there are hundreds of casinos that you can explore. Just make sure not to put it all on black! If your looking to seek some inspiration outside of the strip you can do what we did and rent a car to hit the mountains! Red Rock Canyon is a 30 minute drive from the city. Here you can soak in the weekend and enjoy a beautiful sunset before heading back into the everyday grind!
