The NAB Show ended Wednesday. The National Association of Broadcasters announced preliminary registered attendance of 52,468. That compares to 91,500 in 2019.
[Update: NAB subsequently reported a final attendance of 53,458.]
In any normal time, an attendance decline of more than 40% would be considered catastrophic. Of course the past three years have been anything but a normal time. And from the standpoint of the exhibit floor, most companies who talked to Radio World gave the convention positive reviews, describing a good welcome energy, regular traffic for most of the first three days, and a predominance of serious rather than casual shoppers.
Though international attendance was down, the show still drew about 22% of its audience from countries outside U.S. borders, compared to 26% three years ago.
There were around 900+ exhibitors, compared to around 1,600 in 2019.
This was the first NAB Show in person since 2019 and the first since NAB decided to shift the exhibit floor opening to Sunday through Wednesday. It also was the first for President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt.
“The enthusiasm and engagement on the show floor, in sessions and throughout the entire event have been invigorating,” said LeGeyt in the announcement.
NAB also announced that the 2023 show, to be held April 15 to 19, marks the convention’s centennial.
