Last year’s National Association of Broadcasters conference was marred by the concurrent War on Iraq and fears about SARS, which kept many foreign delegates from making the trip. But those events are no longer at the forefront, and organizers of NAB2004, April 17-22 in Las Vegas, are optimistic about surpassing last year’s attendance of 88,200, down from the event’s 113,000-plus heyday of pre-9/11 2001.

‘We’re excited about it, because the momentum seems to be much larger than last year, and we don’t see any real major hurdles in our way like we had last year,’ says Jeffrey Yorke, spokesperson for the NAB organization, out of Washington, DC.

NAB is traditionally well attended by Canadians, and this year will see 62 Canuck exhibitors – up from 56 last year – hawking their products in production, post, broadcast, satellite and new media beside all the other players on the gargantuan show floors at the Las Vegas Convention Center. There were 3,196 Canadians registered at NAB2003, with that number expected to rise this year.

Many of those of the True North strong and free who have made the pilgrimage in the past were reps from post shops looking to suss out and scoop up the hottest new gear. With a contracting economy, however, many of these companies have restricted acquisitions and show-going. So in a bid to keep this sector on board, this year NAB is launching the Post|Production World Conference, getting underway one day before the show proper. The conference features 167 user sessions in 10 targeted streams, bringing in renowned digital artists to share the tricks of their trade on popular post systems.

‘We’ve always had a few workshops here and there, and maybe one or two sessions targeted towards [the post community],’ says NAB spokesperson Stacy Perrus. ‘But we realized that we need to make sure that we have programming at the convention that’s going to keep this audience coming to the show and hopefully draw more, because our exhibitors are looking for that type of attendee.’

The post conference will also feature the new Individual Creative Excellence (ICE) Awards, which recognize the work of those in the production and post fields. The Digital Cinema Summit (April 17-18), offering panels addressing the impact of digital technology on traditional filmmaking, is back for a third year.

The manufacturers out on the show floor should have considerable interest in the various sessions NAB2004 also has on tap. A lobby group for local, free, over-the-air American broadcasters, NAB is a strong supporter of the changeover to digital television, and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission is always on hand to exert varying degrees of pressure on broadcasters to make the DTV switch. Significant progress has been made, with NAB reporting that 1,175 U.S. stations in 205 markets are now broadcasting digitally.

However, the FCC’s target date of 2006/07 for a complete changeover to DTV is now looking out of reach. The Toronto-based North American Broadcasters Association recently predicted 2010 to 2012 as a more likely time frame, and the prevailing wisdom has the Canadian industry following the U.S. by 18 to 24 months. Many of the major manufacturers, offering digital products years ahead of the market, have suffered financial woes of late and could use the boost of all-encompassing DTV.

Another challenge facing NAB is that none of the four major U.S. networks are currently members, stemming from a dispute over NAB’s stance toward ownership regulations. NAB believed the majors should not be able to own local American TV stations reaching more than 35% of the U.S. viewing audience. The nets were looking for a 45% cap, and had the FCC go-ahead, but last November, U.S. congressional negotiators decided on 39%. Despite the fact the matter is settled, NAB currently doesn’t have a national broadcaster bigger than Florida-based family net PAX TV on board.

The conference is nonetheless still able to draw big names from the major nets, including ABC newsman Sam Donaldson, who will conduct an open discussion with FCC chairman Michael Powell. Surely the FCC’s recent spree of fining broadcasters for alleged indecency, in the wake of Janet Jackson’s breast-baring incident at the Super Bowl, will be top of mind.

For star power, Oprah Winfrey, likely North America’s biggest TV celebrity, will be on hand to receive NAB’s Distinguished Service Award at the All-Industry Opening, April 19. The keynote speaker that morning will be Carly Fiorina, chairperson and CEO of Hewlett-Packard. HP’s huge presence on both the professional and consumer sides, especially after its recent merger with Compaq, enables Fiorina to speak to a broad audience on the future of film and television content creation, distribution and management.

The Canadian Suite, a favorite destination of Canuck NAB-goers, will again be open for beers and schmoozing at the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel, April 19-21, 6-8 p.m. Exhibits at NAB are open April 19-22.

-www.nabshow.com