14th April 2010 - the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in Iceland. The penultimate day of the NAB Show.
Some visitors initially started talking about this volcanic eruption in Iceland. This was the first we knew about it but we paid it simple lip service. Later in the day others were talking about it and even other exhibitors mentioning that they may ground flights in Europe. The story was becoming more interesting but still didn't particularly ring any alarm bells.
By the 15th April at the last day of NAB it was official - all European flights had been grounded. Our flight home was booked for that night. All the discussions among exhibitors on the last day were just about, "How are we going to get home?". Other flight routes? Cruise liners via Miami or New York? Time to take a forced vacation?
The break down on the last day of NAB was punctuated by constant conversations about travel plans, or lack thereof. What followed was a longer stay in Vegas than expected, and eventually a flight home a week later.
The Icelandic volcano of 2010 and NAB 2010, forever linked as the time when the European broadcast world was stranded in Las Vegas!
– Marc Wilson | Maidstone, UK
Marc Wilson is managing director of Glensound
You were just glued to the screen. That song came on the radio. The best NAB Show you ever attended.
Tell us about it!