What's the main reason you should attend the NAB Show? Is it to just see the latest gear or connect with other techies? Those things are important, but I suggest they are not the most important reason churches should to come to NAB or any other trade show. People ought to attend NAB (or InfoComm, or WFX) to learn how to save money. Sure the best way to save money is simply to not spend it. But that mentality can only last so long --- even for a modest church technical department. It pays, or should I say "saves" to research as many available options as possible. NAB, InfoComm, LDI and, of course, WFX should be on your radar if you are one of the 54% of our readers who indicate that their church is currently planning a building project. Unfortunately for those of us in the Eastern part of the country, NAB, InfoComm and LDI are all being held in Las Vegas this year. WFX (www.wfxweb.com) will be the only one of these events east of the Mississippi this year. So make plans to be in Atlanta in early November.
So back to the topic of saving money: As I've said in previous missives in this space. ‘Scarcity brings Clarity'. In this economy manufacturers are innovating in new and exciting ways. In the pro A/V world, clarity means adding value and creating differentiation from competitors. Equipment that was exorbidantly priced just a few years ago, is now become much more affordable. Bruce Borgerson and Anthony Coppedge find similar conditions in the digital mixing console and video switcher markets. Features previously reserved for high-end digital mixing consoles are now appearing at the mid-level, and better entry-level consoles now hard to distinguish from the mid-level mixers of just a few years ago, Borgerson says in his article beginning on page 38. Coppedge reports there has been a "massive increase in quality on the low end of the [video switcher] marketplace", and a major increase in the number of viable and affordable options for churches.
It's a great time to save and improve your production quality. So attend one of the many upcoming tradeshows and conferences and get your own clarity on next steps for your church.
Brian BlackmorePublisher and Editor-in-Chief
"Church Production Magazine""Worship Facilities Magazine"
