Las Vegas Weekly

April 21, 2009 · 10:09 AM

National Association of Broadcasters convention draws 100,000 to Sin City

By Robin Leach

National Association of Broadcasters President David Rehr.

Photo: NAB

It’s the world’s largest gathering of electronic media and TV business brains: More than 100,000 stars, executives, newscasters and station managers have descended on Las Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters annual convention.

Cast members of the new adult cabaret Peepshow and the interactive Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding in Planet Hollywood gave them a special welcome last night at a party hosted by VegasHD, which has its mobile studio facilities on display during the convention at the Sony exhibits.

One of the highlight venues is the NAB Show Content Theater, which showcases the most innovative cinema, television, online and mobile filmed entertainment and examines how it was created using new tools and technologies. I will serve as host of the Content Theater all day today.

Highlights include Pixar Animation Studios with two Disney films being released in Digital 3D this year; the Jim Henson Co. -- cutting-edge technology that allows Henson puppeteers to perform animated characters in real time by combining mechanical input technology, motion capture and a proprietary real time viewer; and Animal Planet -- in the upcoming groundbreaking documentary series Walk the Lion, large predator expert Dave Salmoni lived among a pride of lions, alone for six months, in the African wilderness, where his experience and knowledge as a zoologist and large cat expert were put to the test.

More than 1,600 exhibitors have taken up 1.5 million square feet of exhibit space, and in addition to the new technology and exhibits, there will be 11 conferences with 600 lecture sessions. The convention concludes Thursday.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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