If there were any lingering doubts, NAB 2023 showed that trade shows are back and InfoComm kept building momentum. The pandemic derailed in-person events for a couple of years, but apparently video professionals still like having real face time, not just video chats.

The NAB Show came back to life in 2022. This year, the NAB announced preliminary registered attendance of about 65,000, which was about 20% more than 2022. There were also more than 1,200 exhibitors.

InfoComm returned to action in October 2021. The Orlando-based event was smaller than usual in both attendees (less than 7,500) and exhibitors (only 254) – due to lingering pandemic concerns. But it did prove that AV professionals were ready to gather again. The show returned to Las Vegas in its regular June schedule last year with 500+ exhibitors and almost 20,000 attendees. InfoComm 2023, back in Orlando this month, reported 700 exhibitors and more than 29,000 attendees.

But let’s look beyond the numbers. Why are people returning to in-person events? For USSI Global, trade shows continue to be a great place to make connections and generate business.

 “In our industry, technology can change on the turn of a dime. Shows like NAB are great for learning about the newest upgrades and talking with the engineers who created them,” explained Greg Palm, USSI Global’s SVP of broadcast and network solutions. “That information exchange is very important, because it helps us find the best solutions on the market, and it helps the manufacturers develop products and features that we need. And all that leads to better products and services for our customers.”

 “Our time on the show floor is invaluable,” added Ted Korte, USSI Global’s VP of programs and innovation lab. “Networking with vendors and other service providers helps us create partnerships, as well as coordinate plans and proposals. You also get access to so many vendors in the same building, so you can compare exactly what they can bring to your next proposal. It’s also important not to overlook the importance of meeting face to face – it’s all about building relationships.”

In other words, videoconferencing is all well and good, but sometimes you just need to get out there and visit with current associates and meet with new ones. We’ll see you on the show floor!