NAB Visitors Numbers Dwindle

What is arguably the biggest and most important single trade expo in the broadcasting world, NAB in Las Vegas is feeling the economic draught. While more than 70 new exhibitors will showcase the latest technological innovations at the April 18-23rd show, a significant drop in the number of visitors from the UK is being predicted this year because of the economic climate.
The National Association of Broadcasters event is probably the 'daddy' of them all in trade expo terms, with 850,000 square feet of space that make up the exhibition floor.
The new exhibitors bring the total to over 1,600 companies, including 430 international exhibitors that will be on show.
However, with some manufacturers not exhibiting and purse strings being tightened, many British facilities companies are opting to save money by arranging local meetings with suppliers, using the internet and visiting local shows.
It has been reported that attendance at NAB is expected to dip to 98,000 from the original forecasts of 115,000.
Even the giant BBC Resources is cutting back the number of staff they send.
FilmLight is the latest manufacturer to reveal its non-attendance at this year's NAB trade exhibition in Las Vegas.
Instead of exhibiting in April the film scanning, colour grading and colour management systems maker will spend its time engaging directly with current and prospective customers.
Quantel, Apple and Red Digital Cinema have all decided against going to NAB this year.
See: www.nabshow.com
(BMcC)