Conventions are back! I admit that I’m the biggest fan of trade shows on the planet. The buzz of thousands of simultaneous conversations in the convention halls is like a Broadway musical, enhanced by the many languages spoken by over 80,000 worldwide attendees. Possibilities seem endless, what friends will I see, who will I meet for the first time and what exhibits will folks flock to embrace the next Big Thing. If you’re an out-of-towner, there’s also the joy of a stay in a good hotel with all the amenities and nights on the town. What’s not to like?
NAB, normally thought of as a spring fling in Las Vegas, is doing a post-Covid return 9-13 October 2021. With a new space costing US$989M, the 1.4 million square foot (130,000 square metres) brand new West Hall is located on the grounds of the former Riviera and Landmark hotels with an additional 328,000 square feet (30,000 square metres )of space. So, more walking – and yes, you’ll wear appropriate shoes.
IBC follows on the heels of NAB, 3-6 December in RAI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. A show darling of industry veterans, it’s a staple on both sides of the pond.
The ConsumerElectronics Show (CES) announced it has 1,000 companies booked for an in-person convention 5-8 January in Las Vegas next year. Amazon, Intel, AT&T and IBM are among the big players set to return to halls showcasing consumer and professional electronics, cars, washers and everything you might want to bedazzle a cell phone.
