First time attending NAB…need advice

[David Shulkin]

Jason:
I understand the confusion as I’ve been 13-yrs in a row and still have trouble figuring it all out – even for our staff. Anyway, if you are interested in the motion classes (or others) focus on the Post/Production World packages. IF you are thinking about just a day, look a little lower and click on the Conference Training/Cert packages – they have a one day option as well. Any of these registrations will give you exhibits pass as well for the week. IF you don’t end up taking a class or registering for any of the packages/conferences but still want an exhibits only pass – DO NOT pay, you can get free passes from almost any vendor exhibiting or maybe your local resellers.
Hope that helps a little.

[Tim Wilson]

You can get free EXHIBIT passes by entering the promotional code CC01 – as in Creative Cow zero one.

Be sure to look at the bundled conference passes. No need to register for one when, for just a little more, you can register for all of ’em. Nobody could (or would) go to every session of every conference, but there are other great sessions in the Broader-casting conference, for example. You can also go to all of the roundtables, some of which are truly amazing.

Bring clean socks, at least a pair of new socks for each day. When I was working booths, I always went for 2 pairs a day. HUGE difference.

Note that I mention new socks. You probably know this, but under no circumstances wear new shoes unless you’ve bought another pair of the same kind in the past, and know what to expect. It’s not as bad for sneakers as it is for boots or dress shoes, but nothing will shut your trip down faster than a blister.

Drink more water than you can possibly imagine. You’ll find many booth folks passing out little bottles with their logos on it. Never pass one up.

There’s a great Indian food restaurant on the second floor of the South Hall. As you go up the escalator at the front of the building to enter the Hall, it’s about halfway down on your right. Always a MUCH smaller line than the lunch line in the main downstairs area. Otherwise, consider bringing your lunch…or skip it in favor of a good breakfast and dinner. I generally find it more trouble than it’s worth.

[Noah Kadner]

[Tim Wilson] “There’s a great Indian food restaurant on the second floor of the South Hall. As you go up the escalator at the front of the building to enter the Hall, it’s about halfway down on your right. Always a MUCH smaller line than the lunch line in the main downstairs area. Otherwise, consider bringing your lunch…or skip it in favor of a good breakfast and dinner. I generally find it more trouble than it’s worth.”

Rock on- that’s great advice. My favorite place so far was the little NY style deli that’s hidden away in the far side of the Central Hall near where Abel Cine typically lands. (look for the security offices and bathrooms in a centrally located island.)

Noah

Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
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[Bob Zelin]

the big plan for NAB is just that – TO HAVE A PLAN. You just can’t wander aimlessly around the halls, and say “oh yea, I will bump into everything I need to see”. There is too much to see, and it becomes very quickly overwhelming. I create a detailed list every year of what I must see. No matter how long you are in the video business, you walk down these halls, and say “what the hell is that” as you pass booth afer booth. It makes you feel very small, seeing all the stuff that you don’t know as you wander around the show.

If you are interested in post production, or cameras, or audio – go to the nabshow website, and figure out where you need to be. Make a list. Imagine you are a woman going to the mall to find shoes, and EVERY STORE at the mall has nothing but shoes. Sound like fun – but it becomes overwhelming very quickly.

Bob Zelin

[Michael Sacci]

Number #1 thing for on the floor expo, DON’T take any printed materials, it will cost you $40 for over weight luggage at the airport. Get cards and just look up the info or have them send you the stuff.

[Jason Brown]

I’m taking notes…keep the advice coming!

Thanks everyone!

-Jason

[Terry Mikkelsen]

I agree. Try to keep from getting weighed down. It also hinders your ability to interact with folks (hand shakes), play with gear, sign a credit card receipt, etc….

Tech-T Productions
http://www.technical-t.com

[Jason Brown]

OK…I’ve got one specific question.

I’m going to book for the “Post/Production World Best Value” package – with the Creative Cow free expo pass.

My question is: will that pass get me into the “Apple Certified Pro Training” for Final Cut and Motion? I don’t need to pay for the certification….just attend the classes.

-Jason

[Richard Harrington]

The certification classes are extra. There are however plenty of FCP and other classes you can attend in the conference A full grid of classes is on the NAB website.

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and ATS:iWork

[Jason Brown]

How much extra?

From what I heard, you can attend the class…but pay extra to take the certification.

I couldn’t find any pricing info on extra costs for cert. classes.

-Jason