NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call

Bill Davis · March 16th, 2013, 01:42 AM

Hi Graeme,

One strategy that was successful for me in my early days was to stay for the Thursday half day wrap-up.

It's POSSIBLE to go to booths (particularly grip gear) and make them an offer on a piece or two of equipment right before the show wraps up. The argument is that instead of having to ship the stuff back, you'll offer them a reasonable "cash on the spot" price. You typically have to get someone high enough in the company to approve the sale, and I always suspected that the sales manager or company exec would take my cash and use it to buy the booth workers a treat "off the books" but I have quite a few nice light stands and grip items that I've walked out of NAB on Thursday afternoon with at nice savings over retail that I snagged this way.

Just don't forget to consider shipping issues - but that's somehting that can be handled by stopping by a Mail Boxes Etc, or UPS store before you fly out of town.

Just a tip.

FWIW.

Shaun Roemich · March 16th, 2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graeme Hay

Any advice/walk-though/guide for someone visiting NAB exhibits for the first time?

DO NOT underestimate the importance of comfortable shoes!

This will be my fourth NAB and I always end up with sore feet. Even the booth folks are likely to be wearing running shoes with their suits... seriously.

Also, have a plan. Go to the NAB Show website and look through the various halls. I plan on one hall a day, generally.

Bring an additional piece of luggage to ship back all the catalogs, cut sheets and free magazines you will pick up on the floor.

Bring a water bottle and eat a carb and protein rich meal before you go. Food at the convention centre isn't cheap and generally isn't the healthiest of options.

Brace to spend twice as much time as you think you'll need on the floor.

The hall maps are deceptive - the halls are MUCH larger than you think they are.

Graeme Hay · March 16th, 2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun Roemich

Bring an additional piece of luggage to ship back all the catalogs, cut sheets and free magazines you will pick up on the floor.

Brace to spend twice as much time as you think you'll need on the floor.

I'll be packing light on the way in. On your comment of spending twice as much, my understanding was there was to over-the-counter sales allowed on the exhibit show?

Shaun Roemich · March 16th, 2013, 11:04 AM

You'll notice I said "spend twice as much TIME..."

As Bill mentions, some booths will Fire-Sale demo gear but it isn't a sales forum or swap meet... you go to see gear and chat with people.

Some of the very best conversations I've ever had around my industry were had on the show floor.

Graeme Hay · March 16th, 2013, 11:14 AM

Ah I see I read that wrong.

Panagiotis Raris · March 16th, 2013, 01:41 PM

I will be there; look forwards to meeting you all! Thanks for the codes Chris! I owe you a beverage of choice!

Alex DeJesus · March 16th, 2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graeme Hay

I'm looking at going, but still debating the advantage (as I'm not a professional, just a Hobbyist) and it would be my first time attending. I should know by the end of the weekend.
For me its a balance between spending the money vs. investing in new gear as that is the stage I'm at right now.

My understanding is that I can't buy gear at the exhibit itself (would of like to get a deal but just trying out new equipment is of great value to be), but there are a lot of contests/giveaways.
Any advice/walk-though/guide for someone visiting NAB exhibits for the first time?

I live in Las Vegas, so I sort of take it for granted. 1st day is exciting. The last day is good for picking up miscellaneous pieces of equipment from small vendors breaking down their stuff. I aways go home with something, but don't think you're going to buy a camera at half price. However, there is no substitute for having equipment in your hands as opposed to going online.

The B&H folks will be set up to take your order. Anything you want can be delivered by the time you get back home. Sony, Adobe and Canon are monsters, but don't neglect the smaller gems hidden in the corners. Attend the free seminars.

Make sure you network. You never know who you'll meet

I agree with wearing comfy shoes and clothes. It'll be hotter than you're used to and very dry. Stay away from the hookers if you don't want to go home broke, but I hear they are world class here. Lol!

Shaun Roemich · March 16th, 2013, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex DeJesus

Stay away from the hookers if you don't want to go home broke, but I hear they are world class here. Lol!

Sadly the Card Flickers on The Strip haven't been as talented as my first attendance in 2010.

There are LINES of folks "flicking" business cards of "dancers" willing to come to your door for a fee - they used to have a truly hypnotizing way of flicking the cards that made a strange noise and a certain flair of presentation.

Hasn't been the same the last two times...

Jon Fairhurst · March 18th, 2013, 01:51 PM

Thanks, Chris. I'll do my best to be there Monday night!

Shaun Roemich · March 18th, 2013, 07:18 PM

According to my regular NAB Show email update, the last day to use free codes is March 22nd so if you are on the fence, you better hurry up and register!

Allan Black · March 21st, 2013, 03:11 PM

Here's a few more show tips for attendees ..

Tips for NAB 2013 from a Convention Veteran…. | Biscardi Creative Blog

Cheers.

Chris Luker · March 21st, 2013, 08:35 PM

Will be there again this year!
Last year I came to the DVInfo thing but didn't know anyone at all, and all seemed to be having jolly conversations, so I just kinda walked around then left... maybe I'll actually talk to someone this year if invited!
;)

Chris Hurd · March 21st, 2013, 11:05 PM

Chris -- you'll definitely get an invitation if the email address on your DVi member account here is still good. Find me when you walk in, I'll probably be the only person still wearing an NAB show badge and I try to stay on my feet (and drink water!) most of the time. I'll give you a couple of drink tokens and introduce you to some folks. That gang last year was just happy to see each other again... as usual...

Graeme Hay · March 27th, 2013, 10:44 AM

Can't wait, already some pretty impressive gear annoucements have been made and I can't wait to see/try stuff out at NAB!

Troy Moss · March 28th, 2013, 03:39 PM

If B&H or any other retailer has a show discount (5% or 10% off) on the Canon C100, please let me know. I'm in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (only a 3 hour drive to Vegas). If no other serious contenders from Panasonic, that's my next purchase!

March 16th, 2013, 01:42 AM	#16
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call Hi Graeme, One strategy that was successful for me in my early days was to stay for the Thursday half day wrap-up. It's POSSIBLE to go to booths (particularly grip gear) and make them an offer on a piece or two of equipment right before the show wraps up. The argument is that instead of having to ship the stuff back, you'll offer them a reasonable "cash on the spot" price. You typically have to get someone high enough in the company to approve the sale, and I always suspected that the sales manager or company exec would take my cash and use it to buy the booth workers a treat "off the books" but I have quite a few nice light stands and grip items that I've walked out of NAB on Thursday afternoon with at nice savings over retail that I snagged this way. Just don't forget to consider shipping issues - but that's somehting that can be handled by stopping by a Mail Boxes Etc, or UPS store before you fly out of town. Just a tip. FWIW. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

March 16th, 2013, 11:04 AM	#19
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call You'll notice I said "spend twice as much TIME..." As Bill mentions, some booths will Fire-Sale demo gear but it isn't a sales forum or swap meet... you go to see gear and chat with people. Some of the very best conversations I've ever had around my industry were had on the show floor. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

March 16th, 2013, 11:14 AM	#20
Graeme Hay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call Ah I see I read that wrong. __________________ Independent Filmmaker in Canada's Capital

March 16th, 2013, 01:41 PM	#21
Panagiotis Raris Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Reading, PA USA and Athens, Greece Posts: 269	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call I will be there; look forwards to meeting you all! Thanks for the codes Chris! I owe you a beverage of choice!

March 18th, 2013, 01:51 PM	#24
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call Thanks, Chris. I'll do my best to be there Monday night! __________________ Jon Fairhurst

March 18th, 2013, 07:18 PM	#25
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call According to my regular NAB Show email update, the last day to use free codes is March 22nd so if you are on the fence, you better hurry up and register! __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

March 21st, 2013, 03:11 PM	#26
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call Here's a few more show tips for attendees .. Tips for NAB 2013 from a Convention Veteran…. \| Biscardi Creative Blog Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

March 21st, 2013, 08:35 PM	#27
Chris Luker Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Woods Cross, Utah Posts: 310	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call Will be there again this year! Last year I came to the DVInfo thing but didn't know anyone at all, and all seemed to be having jolly conversations, so I just kinda walked around then left... maybe I'll actually talk to someone this year if invited! ;)

March 21st, 2013, 11:05 PM	#28
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call Chris -- you'll definitely get an invitation if the email address on your DVi member account here is still good. Find me when you walk in, I'll probably be the only person still wearing an NAB show badge and I try to stay on my feet (and drink water!) most of the time. I'll give you a couple of drink tokens and introduce you to some folks. That gang last year was just happy to see each other again... as usual... __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 27th, 2013, 10:44 AM	#29
Graeme Hay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call Can't wait, already some pretty impressive gear annoucements have been made and I can't wait to see/try stuff out at NAB! __________________ Independent Filmmaker in Canada's Capital

March 28th, 2013, 03:39 PM	#30
Troy Moss Major Player Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 253	Re: NAB2013 free exhibits pass and DVi member roll call If B&H or any other retailer has a show discount (5% or 10% off) on the Canon C100, please let me know. I'm in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (only a 3 hour drive to Vegas). If no other serious contenders from Panasonic, that's my next purchase!