No Red at NAB 2009

[Will Clegg]

I wonder how this will affect attendance...

link (http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24551)

[ZazaCast]

I wonder how this will affect attendance...


...are you kidding? There is SO much more to NAB.

[13th Judas]

I wonder how this will affect attendance...

link (http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24551)

i love jokes. more ... more ... more :D

[Will Clegg]

Seriously, did you read some of the responses? I mean, Red is awesome, don't get me wrong. but at least one person in that thread suggests that possibly THOUSANDS will now skip NAB because of this. I somehow doubt that it will be a big impact.

But still too bad that Red won't be there.

[Chenopup]

Just means perhaps another few booths where the wait isn't 45 minutes to see some aluminum prototypes.

[ZazaCast]

Yeah, I know what you're saying...but keep in mind, those RED guys are the same ones lining up to buy the new "Macbook Wheel"! (...if it's shiny and from RED, I'm buying it!):)

Last year there was a little over 105,000 in attendance....even if you lose 2000 people...won't make a difference at all. I'm sure RED would be there if they had something to show.

All I know is it's a great show & I always network like a madman and set myself up with business for the coming year & beyond! Favorite show ever.:beer:

Hope to see you all there......

[sean90291]

I didn't really think of NAB as a networking opportunity. Would that apply mainly to folks in sales?

[ZazaCast]

I didn't really think of NAB as a networking opportunity. Would that apply mainly to folks in sales?

No, think about who attends the show? I've made some great contacts over the years, example... one of the production managers for McDonald's...on the bus ride to the convention. There are people there from every major production company you can think of, and many you wouldn't even imagine. It's a great place to meet professionals in the industry, during the convention & after hours...you never know where you can strike-up a business opportunity.

Go, read name tags, introduce yourself..and bring plenty of your business cards!:beer:

[Chenopup]

I agree with the networking thing, even more so than choosing gear to buy, investigate, etc. Sure it's nice to have hands on but I think companies are realizing that always having an "update" or "latest product" at NAB in many cases hurries production, causes delays or a myriad other issues. Apple's realized that, Avid's realized that and it appears that RED has as well. It's a great avenue for the little guys now who need some in person exposure but to the companies that spend millions to be there when their market demographic far exceeds the few hundred thousand that attend NAB, from a money sense it makes sense that the days of the physical tradeshow may be numbered.

[Barry_Green]

I used to live in Vegas, and attended every NAB for at least a couple of decades. Trade shows are dying. The internet has killed off the need for trade shows. Apple even pulled out of MacWorld, and NAB. Avid's gone from NAB. Red's gone from NAB. Panasonic pulled out of IBC. The handwriting is all over the wall, trade shows are disappearing...

[Barry_Green]

Er... while I was typing that, Chenopup said the same thing...

[Chenopup]

I used to live in Vegas, and attended every NAB for at least a couple of decades. Trade shows are dying. The internet has killed off the need for trade shows. Apple even pulled out of MacWorld, and NAB. Avid's gone from NAB. Red's gone from NAB. Panasonic pulled out of IBC. The handwriting is all over the wall, trade shows are disappearing...

Man - won't be any reason to go to Vegas any more. I can gamble anytime I get on I-15 in the snow ;)

[ZazaCast]

I used to live in Vegas, and attended every NAB for at least a couple of decades. Trade shows are dying. The internet has killed off the need for trade shows. Apple even pulled out of MacWorld, and NAB. Avid's gone from NAB. Red's gone from NAB. Panasonic pulled out of IBC. The handwriting is all over the wall, trade shows are disappearing...

Slowing down a bit...but what isn't in this economy? I think it will be quite awhile before they dissapear completely.

"Trade shows have never necessarily been about product announcements. They're about conducting business, which is why they're called trade shows."

Good point here: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/technology-blog/2008/12/are_trade_shows_dying_hardly.html

[Barry_Green]

Okay, let me rephrase it: attendance, and exhibitor interest, are in trade shows appear to be rapidly dying off, based on my firsthand observations of attending and speaking at trade shows around the globe in the last several years. It's not a recent thing, it's a continuing trend. Costs are far outstripping benefits, it's not making economic sense for people to exhibit, and it's not making a ton of economic sense for people to attend, when they can get all the product info immediately, online, in full graphic brochure form.

I watched it happen to ComDex, one year it was one of the three biggest shows in Vegas, and within three years it completely disappeared. I think NAB probably has maybe five years left in it before it's gone.

[Jim Brennan]

I'm bummed. There are always lots of things I want to see at NAB, but RED has been a highlight the past few years. I already know of a few people who won't go because RED won't be there.

I like trade shows. I hope they stick around for a while

[ZazaCast]

I watched it happen to ComDex, one year it was one of the three biggest shows in Vegas, and within three years it completely disappeared. I think NAB probably has maybe five years left in it before it's gone.

That was my point exactly...COMDEX died as soon as they opened it to the general public. I was a Manufacturer's Rep in the audio industry for years and had to work these shows (NAB, NAMM, LDI, AES, etc...). You had to be in the industry to get in. It was HUGH for my manufacturers, I routinely wrote orders for over 2 million in product and was just one rep in the northeast (3 states coverage). Believe me, it was worth it for the companies...and my commissions!:beer:

You also have to remember this is way more than the exibits alone. There are great educational opportunities & knowlegable speakers (like yourself!). They are even hosting a 48hr. film fest this year I believe... I have to stop, I'm starting to sound like a commercial.

I'd personally hate to see this show die as it's a great place for hands-on demoing of new gear, exchange of ideas and best practices, industry networking and keeping in touch with old friends...not to mention an excuse to visit Vegas as a business write-off!

[Nektonic]

I watched it happen to ComDex, one year it was one of the three biggest shows in Vegas, and within three years it completely disappeared. I think NAB probably has maybe five years left in it before it's gone.

Different industry in some ways but reminds me of E3. The whole thing sort of died over the last 2 years before being restructured.

From Wikipedia:
On July 31, 2006, it was announced that the expo would be downsized and reconstructed. On October 13, 2006, the new format was detailed. Essentially, the E3 "Trade Show" was replaced with a much lower-key and selective series of events known as the E3 Media and Business Summit. It focused on press events and small meetings rather than the large, hectic environment of previous years.[1] The summit was in Santa Monica, from July 11-13.

The move was widely criticized by those both within and outside the gaming industry[2], notably by Sim City and Spore creator, Will Wright;

"It almost feels like a zombie at this point; it's the walking dead. It's such an abrupt end to what was E3, which had been this huge escalating arms race....Right now we're in this kind of dicey, do we have an event, what event is it, which one do we go to? I think we're in an uncomfortable transition zone when really the real E3 died a couple of years ago." [3]

Hell, look at MacWorld. Is that even going to happen next year?

[Jim Brennan]

I love the internet, but I really value going to see and touch real products and shake real hands. It absolutely affects my decisions when buying a product. For those of us not in NY or LA, NAB is the best opportunity for that opportunity.

[TedRR]

I agree the ability to get any info on any product in a google search has greatly minimized the benefit of shows like NAB. I remember having to bring home POUNDS of brochures and organize them for a years worth of storage. No doubt NAB will downsize over the next few years.

But for the first time in years, I dissagree with Barry! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
I think NAB will be around, in some fashion, for more than 5 years.
Sorry buddy. ;)

I still enjoy going and all the networking.
Besides, if there isn't a NAB, I won't have the opportunity to hit the Craps tables at Excalibur and win enough to buy all the cool video toys every year!
Hard 8 baby! Hard 8!!!

[Barry_Green]

There's a world of difference between pointing out an observation, and "rallying" for it. I said that in an internet world, trade shows are dying off. That's been my observation. Doesn't mean I'm happy about it, or sad about it, it's just an observation. I don't think a megalithic show like NAB will continue much longer. I said 5 years, Ted thinks it'll last longer, maybe 10, but it's on its way out.

[TedRR]

I just don't think its wise to rally for the demise of tradeshows, they have their place, just as the internet has it's place

DanHD, I don't think anyone is rallying for it's demise. Let's hope not. :)

Barry, If there is a NAB 2014 you owe me a beer. If not, I owe you one. I'm sure we both hope I win. And if not, good luck finding me! :beer:

[kyle_doris]

it is true that many companies do not want to participate in trade shows anymore. isn't there some tax on going these days that make it difficult for smaller companies to justify the expense? in this type of economy i could see why trade shows would end up on the cutting room floor if those in charge thought they could get their message out without spending the time and effort on something that might or might not gain interest.

[Jason Ramsey]

RED will be in Vegas though, and will be at the REDuser party showing off non-working prototypes of scarlet and epic.

it's not too late to RSVP for the reduser party if you are going to be there.

later,
jason