Keeping Our Community Connected
In response to the cancellation of the 2020 in-person NAB Show, a digital experience was planned for May. NAB Show Express offered 24-hour access to premium content curated and customizable for the global media and entertainment community. And a marketplace connecting attendees to the NAB Show exhibitors.
Hundreds of sessions aired on three channel types:
- BEIT Express – focused on broadcast engineering and information technology
- NAB Show Experience – trends and topics covered through a variety of panels, fireside chats and product innovation showcases
- Tech Talks – an NAB Show LIVE Special Edition, produced by Broadcast Beat and showcasing relevant conversations with community influencers
Extended content was offered through partner programs:
- Executive Leadership Summit, produced in partnership with Variety
- Cybersecurity & Content Protection Summit, produced in partnership with CDSA and MESA
- Post|Production World Online, produced in partnership with Future Media Conferences
A Robust Marketplace
Almost 1,500 NAB Show exhibitors offered company-hosted events, press conferences and special offers for those interested in exploring new products.
- ATSC 3.0 - Building Media Networks for Next Gen TV
- Demonstration on Next-Generation Immersive Audio in a Live Broadcast Workflow
- FCC Chairman Ajit Pai discussed the impacts of the pandemic on the industry
- Hybrid and Digital Radio: What Every Broadcaster Should Know
- Latest Update on NEXTGEN TV’s Commercial Launch 2020
- NAB Show Opening featuring the State of the Broadcast Industry by NAB President and CEO Gordon H. Smith
- Visions of Broadcasting's Digital Future - Then and Now
- NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame awards: “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and John Records Landecker
- Distinguished Service Award: Television Pioneer and Puppeteer Jim Henson
- Crystal Heritage Award: KCVM-FM
- NAB Digital Leadership Award: J.D. Crowley, chief digital officer, Entercom
- NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award: Jeff Welton, regional sales manager, Central US, for Nautel Limited
- NAB Television Engineering Achievement Award: Jim Stenberg, principal broadcast RF engineer for American Tower Corporation
Moving Media and Entertainment Forward
NAB Show New York connected thousands of industry professionals, to refocus, reengage and reimagine the digital future of media and entertainment. The 10-day digital experience included:
- A virtual Marketplace with access to demos, live chat with sales reps and new product listings from nearly 150 companies
- Meredith Viera honored with the 2020 NAB Show New York Impact Award
- Keynotes and panel discussions covering the latest in broadcast, diversity and live event production, like:
- The Most Trusted Source – How Local News is Covering Campaign 2020
- The Diverse Narrative: Influence, Culture and Inclusion in Media Content
- What’s Next for Next Gen TV: A Big Picture Discussion with the C-Suite
- The Deepfakes Dilemma: How Broadcasters Must Manage Deepfakes Disinformation During Election 2020
- Disguise’s xR Workflow for MTV’s Video Music Awards
- All-new Tech Chats showcasing real-world examples of media and entertainment’s challenges being solved with the help of cunning technology.
- Special edition of the ATSC 2020 NextGen Broadcast Conference and IP Showcase
- Live stream of the 71st Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
- Live, community-focused roundtables and Marketplace tours.
- Paid, targeted conference program partnerships with TVNewscheck, MESA, NATPE and Future Media Conferences.
Radio Show
Get Strategies to Help You Thrive
The 2020 Radio Show brought radio, advertising and audio professionals together virtually October 5-9 to share strategies, best practices, insights and solutions to help them thrive in the ever-evolving audio landscape. The event featured more than 50 live and on-demand sessions covering topics most important to radio, including how to lead during times of change and uncertainty, discovering new ways to recruit advertisers and critical technology updates for engineers and technologists. Attendees gained critical insights from CEOs, thought leaders, innovators and influencers in the dynamic Leadership and Inspiration series. The show also featured exclusive sessions developed for broadcasters including a special keynote from the world’s largest advertiser Proctor & Gamble, podcasters who have monetized great ideas, a best-selling author and futurist on how to restore resilience and more in a dynamic lineup focused on the business of audio.
In addition, the Radio Show featured a digital Marketplace, where attendees engaged with new technologies, products and services, including live demos, info sessions and the latest innovative solutions for radio.
The event also honored NAB National Radio Award recipient Russell Perry.
Highlights included:
- Exclusive keynotes from Dave Ramsey, Rishad Tobaccowala, Byron Allen and thought leaders shaping the future of media and advertising
- A CEO Town Hall with CUMULUS MEDIA’s Mary Berner, Entercom’s David Field and iHeartMedia’s Bob Pittman, moderated by NBC News Senior Business Correspondent and MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle
- Customized sales and programming strategies with leading consultants
- Technology presentations and demonstrations
- Turnkey solutions for small and medium markets
- Proven ideas and tactics for successful sales and marketing campaigns
- In-depth discussions on the topics shaping our world today
- Backstage conversations with broadcasters on what they are doing to thrive
The Radio Show is co-produced with the Radio Advertising Bureau. On-demand access to Radio Show sessions is still available to registrants at RadioShowWeb.com.
SMTE
Break Through the New Normal With Innovative Sales Strategies
This year, we celebrated TV where we all enjoy it – at home! Held virtually on October 14-15, the 2020 Sales and Management Television Exchange (SMTE) was designed specifically to help television sales and management teams break through the current barriers facing the industry.
SMTE 2020 provided attendees with the tools and knowledge needed to manage business operations and develop innovative strategies that will generate revenue in this new normal. Attendees had the opportunity to experience live and on-demand sessions with interactive features and hear from various industry experts and panels.
This year’s program also provided virtual networking opportunities by encouraging SMTE attendees to meet with their peers during our pre-show Virtual Networking Lounge. Following each afternoon of programming, we closed out the evening with exclusive, entertaining interviews with special guests, daytime TV talk show host, Dr. Oz, and legendary TV show music composer, Mike Post.
The annual Money Makers Competition was also reimagined this year into a special four-part series called, “The Best of Money Makers.” This special recognized past Money Makers with superlative honors and featured panel discussions with past winners. Attendees were able to hear directly from top Money Makers as they discussed their past successful campaigns as well as forward-thinking strategies to generate revenue for future campaigns.
Group Executive Roundtable
Delivering Valuable Strategies and Insights
The 2020 Group Executive Roundtable brought together owners and operators of small market stations for discussion regarding the specific implications of legislation, policy and technology within their local markets. The agenda featured legislative and policy updates, as well as presentations about employee mental health and the impacts of remote work at media organizations during the pandemic. The program also included a panel discussion focusing on the Next Gen TV rollout and any potential impacts resulting from COVID-19. Through individual table topic discussions, the Roundtable also provided the unique opportunity for peers to share ideas and best practices regarding a variety of timely topics.
NAB Leadership Foundation
Building a More Diverse, Innovative and Vibrant Future for the Industry
No one builds the future alone. This simple yet powerful statement is what drives the work of the NAB Leadership Foundation to build a bright, diverse and innovative future.
This year was different. With the start of a new decade, we embraced a sense of hope, change and new ideas. Instead, we found ourselves dealing with a compounding crises that led our country to pause, reevaluate and redefine the term "normal." While we encountered a public health crisis, economic crisis and ongoing systemic racial injustice and inequity, we discovered a new way of collaborating, leading and innovating for a better tomorrow. And for that, I am hopeful about the future and how we redefine normal in 2021.
The NAB Leadership Foundation's mission is to develop leaders, advance diversity and highlight our industry's community service initiatives. This mission drives who we are, what we do, and our passion for empowering the people that shape the future of broadcasting. With this purpose as our driving force, the NAB Leadership Foundation is here to help you and your organization reassess, evaluate and build a more bright, diverse and innovative future together. Much has changed, but our commitment to the industry remains the same. As always, everything we do, we do for you.
Michelle Duke
President, NAB Leadership Foundation
Chief Diversity Officer, NAB
Diversity, Equity and Inclustion Resource Center
Get Ready to Create Conversations, Elicit Change and Seek Opportunities
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resource Center provides you and your organization the information necessary to spark ideas, drive inclusivity and seek change for a more diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. This resource center is a starting point for you to explore the organizations, consultants, resources and toolkits necessary to train, educate and guide your workforce forward.
Click here to learn more about the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resource Center.
Celebration of Service to America Awards
Sharing Stories of Broadcasters' Incredible Community Service
For the first time, the NAB Leadership Foundation's annual Celebration of Service to America Awards went on air and online to broaden our industry's celebration of local broadcasting. These awards honor local radio and television stations for going above and beyond their everyday duties, playing an integral part in informing, supporting and strengthening communities across our country.
The show aired in 210 markets on 617 stations, including 36 broadcast groups with 100% participation from the top 10 markets, reaching 7.5 million people. Award-winning journalist and the host and executive producer of the "Tamron Hall Show," Tamron Hall hosted this hour-long special alongside featured guest appearances from past NAB honorees, including Glenn Close, Sterling K. Brown, Sara Evans and many more.
View the full list of 2020 Service to America Award winners here.
Broadcast Leadership Training
A Class Ready to Empower Voices
The Broadcast Leadership Training program continued to prepare senior-level executives on the unique process of assessing, purchasing and operating radio and television stations. While pivoting to a virtual setting, the 2020 and 2021 classes continued to explore the specific skills and knowledge relevant to the business operations it takes to operate radio and television stations. This group of leaders prepares to become a more significant part of the industry and provides diverse voices and perspectives to communities.
Click here to learn more about the Broadcast Leadership Training program.
Media Sales Academy
A Class Ready to Launch Sales Careers
The Media Sales Academy continues to prepare the next generation of leaders through specialized training, mentorships and exposure to the industry. In partnership with RAB and TVB, this class explored the roles and responsibilities of a sales professional in our industry while creatively presenting solutions to today’s ever-changing business landscape.
Click here to learn more about the Media Sales Academy.
Technology Apprenticeship Program
A Class Ready to Build the Future
The Technology Apprenticeship Program pivoted to continue to provide students with exposure to the broadcast engineering and technology industry. With the change of internship opportunities this summer, the NAB Leadership Foundation provided a six-month virtual program to educate, connect and recruit students to our industry. Launched in November 2020, the 20 participants explore the innovations and opportunities in our industry while providing insight and guidance to how we shift our program even further in 2021.
Click here to learn more about the Technology Apprenticeship Program.
First Time Manager Series
Get Ready to Lead With Confidence
The First Time Manager Series is a five-part online series that will give new and aspiring managers the tools, resources and skills necessary to lead with confidence. This online certificate program will help you discover and refine your leadership style to transition from an individual contributor to the team lead. This program is available as individual courses, complete series or corporate bundling.
Click here to learn more about the First Time Manager Series
Leadership
Our mission is to develop leaders, advance diversity and highlight the community service initiatives of our industry.
The NAB Leadership Foundation is a tax-exempt 501©(3) established in 1994 to empower broadcasting leaders through education, diversity, and community service. The Foundation oversees a range of professional development and training programs, initiatives and events for the broadcast industry.
The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors, chaired by Bonneville International Corporation President Darrell Brown. This year, the NAB Leadership Foundation announced seven new board members to our industry advisers.
Click here to view the NAB Leadership Foundation board of directors, team and officers.
Partners and Sponsors
We are grateful to our partners and sponsors, who harness the power of their consumers, communities and employees to help us invest in the future of broadcasting.
Online Education
Explore Education for Broadcasters from Your Home, Office or Home Office
NAB’s online educational and professional development offerings including live and on-demand webcasts, podcasts, certificate courses and related material that support broadcasters and media professionals as they seek new skills and insights.
Broadcast Resource Hub
In 2020, NAB and the NAB Leadership Foundation unveiled a new Broadcast Resource Hub - a comprehensive one-stop-shop for member resources, educational programs, advocacy tools and information on the most relevant issues impacting local radio and TV stations.
NAB Podcast
NAB Podcasts feature thought leaders, policy experts and industry insiders from NAB and around the country covering the topics, issues and innovations that impact broadcasters.
On-Demand Webcasts
Webcasts are exclusive, members-only webcasts that provide broadcasters with professional development and valuable knowledge from prominent broadcast experts and leaders.
Online Courses
From cybersecurity to station management, onboarding to technical walkthroughs, NAB has over 15 online courses designed to educate broadcasters and help them perform their job functions more effectively.
Production in a Pandemic
Collectively Speaking by NAB Show, was held on September 2, 2020 as a progressive digital experience and was very successful with 2,104 registrations and 365 from outside the U.S.
These online sessions gave the community the opportunity to watch a collaborative learning experience designed to facilitate meaningful connections around real-time issues facing the media and entertainment industry.
Appropriately labeled “Show and Tell Sessions” for their unique behind the scenes vantage point, these sessions offered fresh perspectives, new fixes and real-world solutions to production in a pandemic. They showcased how the industry’s best were evolving and the event provided group collaboration and information sharing formats to include breakout discussion rooms and live Q&A. Post event, all session recordings were posted for on-demand viewing and was complimented with review articles and a resource listing.
Show and Tell sessions included:
- Make Your Own Studio: “Pivoting Broadcast News Quickly in a New World”
- The World Changes and You Change With It: “Quarantine Production Hacks”
Breakout discussions included:
- Creating Global Community Experiences in a Pandemic
- Quarantine Production Hacks
- Pivoting Broadcast News Quickly in a New World
All session, articles and resource listing can be viewed here.