It’s that time of year again.
It’s the time of year when I hear “the call of the wild”. It’s coming from the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Convention in Las Vegas. And what could be wilder than Las Vegas? Thousands of Broadcast Professionals all converging in the same place at the same time ― that’s what.
I love Vegas.
Michelle & Paul NAB – Vegas 2008
I have been there during the months of November, December, March and April and as far as I am concerned, April is the most perfect month to be in Las Vegas. I have been attending NAB every year since 1998; sometimes on my own; and sometimes for whoever I worked for at the time. The weather is always perfect in April, and a funny thing happens every year. I watch my fellow Broadcast/Media professionals as they prepare for the trip. Everyone seems worn and tired. We file onto crowded planes and cram ourselves in too small seats. But as we approach Las Vegas, the energy level changes ever so slightly. There seems to be a little spark in everyone’s eye. The talk centers on what we are focusing on at the show. We step off the plane into the perfect weather and it can’t be helped … the sides of our mouths start to curve upward. By the time we hit the convention floor on Monday morning, you would barely recognize those weary travelers from the day before. The game is on. Let’s see what’s new, what’s improved and just how big the Sony booth is this year.
Lynn @ NAB – Very Much With Child
Mindy & Michelle NAB 2008
TED from RED allowing me to hold the “EPIC” – NAB 2010
The past couple of years have been trying times for Broadcast/Media folk. We have said good–bye to long standing co-workers and some of us said good–bye to places we worked at for a decade or more. Of course there were cutbacks: things not purchased; trips not taken. As they say on Twitter … “fail”. If there is anything that can raise morale in a company, it would be to send the brightest and best somewhere, anywhere that they can get refreshed, energized, and learn. NAB affords an opportunity to learn and grow. To network. To see new technology. To touch new technology. To talk to experts. To ask questions … Yes, I could go on and on. On the trip home, when the same bedraggled people get back on the same overcrowded plane and sit in the same too small seat, they don’t even notice. They are talking to anyone and everyone. Did you get to talk to “Ted from Red” ? Did you catch Steve Garfield hosting Telestream Live? Can you believe the size of that Sony booth? That all comes home with them and it’s contagious. They bring back a breath of fresh air for those who were left behind. But their enthusiasm spreads like wildfire. It was worth every cent.
CNN Party – NAB 2008
There it is again…can you hear the call?
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Just for fun, more random shots of Vegas.
Interestingly enough I am going to Las Vegas in April too, but not for the NAB Convention. And while you love Vegas I can’t really take much of the city (but I guess you really talk more about the convention than Las Vegas itself). For me it’s just too much façade and display and too superficial. Of course that’s the point, but I just don’t like it. On the other hand I understand you excitement about going to a convention. I enjoy equally doing the same in various places in Europe – in my field of work of course. May it be a great time for you despite the harsh times in the media business.
Hi Otto,
The city of Vegas can be overwhelming, I agree. I can only take it in small doses, but it is a great place to people watch and I bet you could do an amazing job of catching some of the “faces” of Vegas. Your “face” shots of the people you photograph always seem to reveal what is inside.
I do love going to live shows when I am there as well and am a huge fan of the Cirque presentations. Of course part of the attractiveness of Vegas is being so close to things like the Grand Canyon. That is a whole other world. I would love to see some of the shots you take while in Vegas.
On another note we bought the book you recommended, 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. My husband read it first and really found it interesting. I am reading it now and am enjoying the read. Thanks for mentioning it.
Talk soon,
M
I am glad you like the book. And yes, access to the Nevada nature is the main reason for me to go to Las Vegas. Unfortunately it’s usually not accepted to take photos inside all those weird places in Vegas.