AES Show on the Rebound with New NAB Ties
By Bruce Borgerson
As a leading-edge technical conference, the annual Audio Engineering Society (AES) Convention has been THE must-go event for audio as far back as I can remember. If you want to plug into latest advances in sound technology, you should squeeze this year’s edition into your calendar and your travel budget.It’s a pricey show because AES is back in New York City for the second straight year. There’s no West Coast show on this cycle because AES hit a successful formula last year by co-locating with an East Coast National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show at the Javits Center. It’s a one-stop, East Coast shop for all your media needs.
The new formula proved highly successful in 2017, attracting strong attendance and over 350 exhibitors. This was in contrast to the early 2000s when AES held its place as the premier audio technical conference but languished somewhat as a tradeshow. The slowdown was more noticeable with the West Coast editions as some exhibitors downsized or exited in favor of an aggressive NAMM show, held only a few months later in Anaheim, Calf.But now AES is rebounding in the Big Apple. Along with its new strategic alliance, AES is offering a strong program across the board. In addition to a full schedule of math-intensive technical paper sessions, the 2018 convention offers an array of practical panel discussions and workshops covering all facets of audio, including broadcast/streaming, recording, and multi-media networking. Of particular interest to church techs will be the Live Production Stage, offering continuous manufacturer-sponsored presentations of the latest in live sound technology.If you’re a born audio nerd like me, this show should top your list. Compared to InfoComm and National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), it’s more focused, relaxed and personal. It’s also where you run into those who matter. At one show, in a crowd crush prior to his keynote address, I literally bumped elbows with “fifth Beatle” George Martin.
AES | NYC - Oct. 17-20: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
LDI for Pro Lighting Designers and Students of Art
By David Martin Jacques
Way back in 1988 I attended the very first LDI Conference. Back then it was called “Lighting Design International.” Over the years the acronym changed to “Live Design International.” Whatever they call it, I have been back to this show in Las Vegas every year except for a few when I had a show that conflicted with it.
What did I experience over the past 30 years? I could list the countless technological achievements I have seen first at these conferences, but it would take much more space than what is available in this article. Let’s just say that if it happened in the lighting world, then I saw it first at LDI. This is why it is imperative for any live design designer and technician to attend this amazing show. But its scope is so much greater than simply seeing the lighting equipment of tomorrow in one huge exhibition hall. LDI has a lot more to offer professional lighting designers and students of the art. Let’s start with the LDInstitute. This advanced training program offers classes in technical and design areas of lighting that will expand your knowledge. This year offered advanced courses in Vectorworks, Isadora, video content creation, Touchdesigner, QLab, Disguise, Datation, Pandoras Box, and Hippotizer. There are also specialized courses in rigging, sound, and lasers. If you are interested in club design and rock tours, there are courses in these areas as well. You can also find training in just about every lighting console out there. So if you are looking for remedial or advanced training in the systems that your house of worship uses, then you can probably find it at LDI.
For more intensive training in lighting design techniques, the LDIntensives may be for you. These full-day and two-day intensive training sessions cover topics such as projection mapping, Ethernet, core training for technical directors, project management, Las Vegas backstage tours, rigging, Disney, and many more.
There is also the LDInnovation Conference where industry leaders hold sessions about areas that are essential to lighting and sound artists. This includes sessions in sound design, immersive audio, power and signal distribution, wireless workflow, lighting programming, effects, media servers, pixel mapping, integrating systems, automation, video design, pre-viz techniques, and repertory lighting, I have attended so many of these over the years. It is a great opportunity not only to learn, but also to meet the people who are on the forefront of the industry.
LDI | LAS VEGAS - Oct. 15-21: Las Vegas Convention Center
NAB New York: Is it on Your Calendar?
By Pete Putman, CTS
Many CPM readers attend the annual NAB Show in Las Vegas. Hundreds of exhibitors play host to over 100,000 attendees looking for the latest in video, audio, display, control, and signal management hardware and software.
But there’s a lesser-known NAB Show, and it takes place every fall in New York City. The NAB Show New York, as it is formally called, happens Oct. 17-18 at the Javits Convention Center. This fall exhibition is much smaller than the Las Vegas extravaganza and that’s part of its appeal. Almost 250 exhibitors will be set up in a couple of halls with modest-sized booths to show off their wares, and you’ll recognize many of them from the larger April show.
So—why have a show like this in October? As a consultant, journalist, and instructor, I’m always skeptical when yet another tradeshow appears on the schedule. But this one is well worth attending.
The NAB Show New York originally started (many years ago) as Video Expo, which I first attended in 1994. Over the years, it was acquired by a Connecticut-based company and ran as two separate events – Communications and Content World (CCW) and SATCON, which focused exclusively on satellite distribution of video, audio, and programming. NAB bought the show a few years ago and has worked hard to promote and grow it.New York City has been problematic for tradeshows over the years, largely due to the costs of shipping, booth setup and operation, labor, transportation, and housing. That’s all changed: Most of the issues related to labor and site costs have been resolved by the state of New York, and the location is accessible by ample public transit and air travel. You can easily cover the show in a day, eliminating the need to stay overnight.
The fall time slot is also attractive since many tradeshows are front-loaded into the first six months of the year, and products first announced at NAB or InfoComm in June will actually start shipping in September. You may also get a head start on products that will “officially” be unveiled next year. With a typical booth measuring a fraction of the typical NAB space, you won’t need to walk long distances to check out all of the gear.
NAB also conducts numerous seminars during the two-day show, so you can pick up some tips and learn something new for your trouble. I’ve taught classes at both CCW and NAB on a variety of subjects ranging from advances in display technology to 4K/UHD and even wireless video and audio. As an added incentive, AES is staging its 145th International Convention in adjacent halls from Oct. 17-20, so you can easily visit both shows if you want to make a trip out of it.
Many prominent brands will have booths in the Javits Center, including Panasonic, JVC Kenwood, Arri, Canon, Blackmagic Design, Chyron, Clear-Com, Extron, Fujinon, Grass Valley, Hitachi, Matrox, Newtec, Evertz, Ross Video, and Utah Scientific—and that’s just on the NAB side. While the attendance is about 10% of that at NAB, I find the smaller booths and floor area and manageable crowds a lot more appealing than mega-shows. You’re not worn out at the end of the day and some really interesting sidebar conversations take place across a wide range of subjects.
Plus, you’re minutes from Penn Station and Times Square, so there are plenty of things to do after the show. See you there?
