The 2024 edition will see some important changes compared to the 2023 NAB Show. The South Halls will again host exhibits, bringing back a lot of the vibrant environment in those large halls. Together with the Central Hall, which creates a direct outdoor connection to the South Halls, that's where most of the content production companies will be located, including with OB vans and field production equipment. The broadcast and content management -oriented exhibits and a lot of the radio sector will be located in the new West Hall, which is connected through a walkway and the Vegas Loop. Typical walk time between the West Hall to the existing Central Hall can take up to 25 minutes. The same trip on the Loop takes approximately 2 minutes.
The NAB Show has always been the ultimate marketplace to introduce next-generation audio and video technologies. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms, the NAB Show has gradually expanded away from its original focus on traditional broadcast radio and TV into digital production and gradually to encompass the vibrant content creation economy.
Still produced by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters, the annual conference and trade show still reflects the activities of this important association, as it advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age.
This year, on the broadcast front, we can expect a lot of activity around the latest ATSC 3.0 next generation terrestrial broadcast system, which was designed from the ground up to improve the television viewing experience with higher audio and video quality, improved compression efficiency, robust transmission for reception on both fixed and mobile devices, and more accessibility, personalization and interactivity. The ATSC 3.0 standard is defined in a suite of more than 20 Standards and companion Recommended Practices, and is now live on air at many locations all over the United States.
South Korea paved the road to ATSC 3.0, adopting its Ultra High-Definition (UHD) TV standard in 2016 and launching 4K ATSC 3.0 broadcasts in May 2017 that now reach more than 80% of the South Korean population. Jamaica has launched ATSC 3.0 services. India is exploring ATSC 3.0 for direct-to-mobile services and broadcast traffic overload, while Brazil is planning to use select ATSC 3.0 technologies for its "TV 3.0" project. In Canada, Humber College is building its ATSC 3.0 5G lab, and Mexico is focused on distance education use cases.
The Creator Economy
In a world where digital innovation is rapidly transforming traditional broadcast, media and entertainment industries, the creator economy has emerged as a driving force, reshaping the landscape and redefining how content is created, distributed and monetized.
The Creator Lab is an exciting new addition to the 2024 NAB Show. This groundbreaking show floor experience includes interactive exhibits, expert panels, hands-on workshops and networking events that focus on creators, equipment, distribution channels and monetization techniques.
Sessions will explore the role of AI in the production workflow, the opportunities behind effective creator/brand partnerships, emerging technologies like VR and spatial computing, designing the perfect workspace and mobile kits for speedy and effective content creation and building a robust and flexible infrastructure to power the creator-driven content economy.
The creator economy continues to upend traditional media creation, production, advertising and distribution while borrowing the best of past models. According to Goldman Sachs, 50 million people around the world now work in the creator economy, and the industry’s total economic value may have jumped to $250 billion in 2023. That number is expected to double in the next few years as the creator economy approaches 25% of the overall global value of the entertainment industry.
"We are witnessing an unprecedented surge in the number of people actively participating in the creative economy," said Chris Brown, executive vice president and managing director, NAB Global Connections and Events. "We’re enormously excited to launch Creator Lab as a home base at NAB Show for this community – a hub with tailored education and networking, all in the center of the world’s largest showcase of the tech and tools that make content come to life.”
In 2023, NAB Show drew more than 65,000 attendees to experience and learn about the latest advancements and trends in broadcast, media and entertainment led by more than 1,200 exhibitors. Nearly a quarter of show participants identify as content producers and creators. And that number will continue to increase as more and more people recognize the rewards of new media platforms.
Product of the Year Awards
The 2024 NAB Show will present the sixth annual Product of the Year Awards. The awards recognize some of the most significant and promising new products and technologies exhibited at NAB Show in the categories Create, Connect and Capitalize, which are the workflow pillars of the Show. For the first time, the winners will be announced on the Main Stage at a live awards ceremony at the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 16. Nominations close April 3 at 11:59 p.m.
"We are proud to showcase the trailblazing companies leading our industry’s future, featuring innovative technology’s pivotal role in transforming media and entertainment," said Eric Trabb, NAB senior vice president and chief customer success officer. "The Product of the Year Awards stands as the exclusive official show award program, honoring outstanding product innovation. This prestigious accolade provides companies with a valuable platform to highlight, recognize and celebrate the innovative work of these products and services."
The Product of the Year Awards recipients are selected by a panel of industry experts in 15 categories with three Best Overall Awards in the classifications of Create, Connect and Capitalize and new this year, Best Overall Top Tech. Companies scheduled to exhibit at the 2024 NAB Show are eligible to enter. Nominated products and technologies must be available for delivery in calendar year 2024.
Shira Lazar, an Emmy-nominated leading voice around digital culture and emerging trends, will take center stage as the first host of NAB Show’s Main Stage, amplifying the experience for participants and the audience.
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