NAB advise.

[Rutledge]

Considering going to NAB for the first time.
I know that a lot of you go annually and would be interested to hear what you find most valuable.
If it is just to eyeball the new toys then I could probably do that on-line.
Hoping the networking/ educational aspect is worth it.
Any thoughts or advise is appreciated.

[Douglas]

You can get better product information online than you can at NAB. The quality of the people staffing most booths has gone down a lot in recent years. They seem to know less and less about their own products every year. But, if you want to test drive things before you buy, there's no substitute for NAB.

There's a lot of stuff over the years that I did NOT buy because I saw it first at NAB and was not impressed. I'd say NAB has helped me not buy the wrong equipment more than it has helped me find the right stuff.

Also, it's great place to find out about things you didn't even know existed before you saw it. And, it can be very helpful to sit through demonstrations of various products -- particularly software. I find that I almost always learn new things at NAB about equipment or software that I already own.

But the bottom line is not to forget that every dollar you spend on travel expenses at NAB is a dollar that could be put towards whatever purchase you're thinking about making. Sometimes it's better to stay home and just go ahead and buy whatever you were going to test drive.

Doug
www.VortexMedia.com (http://www.VortexMedia.com)

[Tv Shooter]

Douglas is right. Most product info is either minimal...either the people in the booth aren't sure, or the product is new/in development.
There are a lot of things there however, that you get to at least be exposed to, things you may not be using in the everyday run of the gig.

My reasons for going have little to do with product. Yea, I've made buys every year I've been (this is my 5th). Almost all were mionor things like matte boxes, grip or lighting equipment. Stuff I could buy easily via the net.

The main reason I go is the experience of being around other professionals in this industry. It's a chance to meet people and talk about what's happening in the video world. I've actually managed to pick up a few gigs via people I met at NAB over the years.

And I've been able to meet the people I chat with and talk to via this site. Douglas, Nino, Dennis, Ken...it's always fun to sit back and just talk about the industry with people that for the most part have walked,and are walking in the same shoes. poeple that have a pride not just in their craft, but in themselves as people, and as a professional in this industry.

It's a chance to re-charge my batteries and find something to get excited about again in a business I've been shooting in for going on 20 years. There's a sense of comradiere being amongst so many people at varying levels and skills, that I always pick up some tidbit, some small piece of knowledge that makes me understand I'll never know everything, and that there's always room in my head for something new.

I remember when I started in this business in 1988. An old timer at my first station told me "oh yea, you missed the good old days of television". Every year I go to Vegas, get some new bit of information, meet a new face, visit with people I usually only talk via phone or the net, I always come home thinking "these are the good old days".

Oh yea-there is that drinking, debauchery, decadence and sin stuff....but there's already a thread about the Broll Bash.

[Canonman]

And I've been able to meet the people I chat with and talk to via this site. Douglas, Nino, Dennis, Ken...it's always fun to sit back and just talk about the industry with people that for the most part have walked,and are walking in the same shoes. poeple that have a pride not just in their craft, but in themselves as people, and as a professional in this industry.

Yes TV Shooter, it was good to meet you at last year's NAB. I fully agree on the networking with other professionals aspect. Plus, where else can you play with stuff that you will probably never be able to use/afford. :)

cm

[b-roll]

A great chance to network over beer!

The b-roll.net BASH 08
April 14, 2008
6pm-9pm
Harley-Davidson Cafe
Las Vegas, NV

http://b-roll.net/nab

kev

[focusthis]

I can't really single out any one element of NAB that would justify the trip, versus buying what you want. For me, it really is the experience. Reconnecting with the gurus of the business, and meeting new photogs with fresh perspectives is revitalizing for me. Yes, that also means a different crowd to gripe to a little bit! It's great to get your hands on the gear. The heft of the batteries you saw online, to the cheap feel of the Infinity cam a while ago... What I enjoy about working on the videos with Kevin (http://b-roll.net/media/nab/) is being able to walk the side streets and alleys of the show, looking for what the little guy has to offer outside the gravity of the stars of the floor. The medium to small vendors do have a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm for their products. Far more than the hired models asking to "swipe your card". If you can make it this year, great! I don't think you need to go every year.

The B-Roll BASH (http://b-roll.net/nab/) is a resource as well. If you've ever spent hours on the courthouse steps, blowing off steam about reporters, or keeping it bottled up in front of a client, THIS IS THE OPPOSITE. I never see so many smiling photogs in one place! From seasoned freelancers, to newbie local guys, any and all questions you have about this business can be answered at the BASH (over beers).

I'm not a freelancer, and don't pretend to understand the real pressure that a decision to go has for you. If this is a fact finding trip for a major purchase, perhaps you can use the money to rent what you are looking for? You will get FAR more knowledge from that experience, than standing in line at a big booth.

[Nino]

Going to NAB is hard work if you want to make it worthwhile. Good and comfortable shoes are a must. The statistics that I’ve seen was that if you want to stop at every booth you can only spend maximum of 60 seconds in each one, it’s big. Planning is a must and the NAB2008 web site gives you all the tools to make it a rewarding trip. Prioritize things that you want to see and create an itinerary so you can move from hall to hall without jumping back and forth. Like Douglas said, don’t expect to get much information for each product, see what the product looks like, get the literature and make contact after the convention. Large companies like Sony has professional presenters that gives nice audience demonstrations in details. They look good and sound good but don’t ask questions because they have no clue what they are saying, today they are demonstrating cameras and tomorrow washing machines; they usually refer you to someone who might know, if you are lucky. Smaller companies will give you much better service, mostly because they are not as busy. If you are planning to buy something you can get a better deal at NAB from either the manufacturer of from dealers offering show specials. Know what the going street price is before making a purchase. Overall is a great experience to see what’s happening to our business, after a few hours you can see and sense the direction that the business is going. Networking and meeting people is the greatest thing about NAB, I always bump into people that I haven’t seen in years, is good to see that I’m not the only one getting old.

….and of course the highlight of the trip, the B-Roll party where you realize that behind those silly screen names there are really nice people.

[Rutledge]

Thanks for the input, I am definitely planning to pack some comfortable shoes and make it down there for a couple of days.

Of course this means that, once I get on the plane, my phone will ring non-stop with full pay offers for the days that I am there. I think they call that the "universal truth of daring to leave town".

Looking forward to meeting colleagues at the bash.