It’s no surprise under the circumstances, but now it’s official: The Society of Broadcast Engineers will hold its national meeting as an online-only event this year. It also announced that there will be no associated equipment expo or technical sessions.
The 56th SBE National Meeting had been scheduled for late September near Syracuse, N.Y. But it’s just the latest in the string of annual industry events that have fallen victim to the pandemic.
Other September/October traditions that have gone virtual include the Radio Show, originally intended for Nashville, and the IBC2020 convention in Amsterdam.
SBE stated: “The event was to be held in conjunction with the SBE 22 Broadcast & Technology Expo, a regional exposition and educational event that restarted in 2019 after a short hiatus.” Chapter 22 serves central New York.
“The in-person expo has been cancelled following restrictions imposed by the state of New York to reduce infections because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Because of current conditions, travel for exhibitors and attendees would also have been difficult.”
The following are now planned virtually for Sept. 22 and 23:
-The SBE Annual Membership Meeting will be combined with the SBE awards ceremony; these will be online at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and will include the induction of officers and directors.
-The SBE Board of Directors will meet on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
-SBE Fellows will gather for a virtual reunion on Sept. 23; he time will be announced later.
The society said details on how to watch and participate in these events will be published on its website.
