NAB Show New York Shines a Light on AI, the Creator Economy, and Live Production

Ahead of NAB Show New York, Terry Scutt of Future, Chief Content Officer for NAB Show Daily, asked Karen Chupka, NAB Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Global Connections and Events, for her thoughts on how things have been going for her since joining NAB, as well as what’s coming up at next month’s convention. NAB Show New York will be held at the Javits Center on October 9-10.

EVERY DAY: It’s been a few months since your predecessor, Chris Brown, left. How have you been settling in? What were your priorities when you took on your new role?

KAREN CHUPKA: The first 10 months were a great experience. I focused on learning the ins and outs of NAB Show in Las Vegas, NAB Show in New York, and the broader industry. NAB Show has a great reputation as the premier gathering place for global visionaries and storytellers to find inspiration, tools, and technology to create, distribute, and monetize content. My key priorities were to understand the full scope of what we offer and work to make it even easier for our audience to access everything they need.

EVERY DAY: What makes NAB Show New York stand out from other media and entertainment conventions?

TIP: NAB Show New York stands out by taking advantage of its location in the media capital of the world. Designed to meet the needs of the thriving broadcast, media and entertainment sectors on the East Coast, offering more than just an exhibition—but a strategic platform for learning, networking and discovery. NAB Show New York offers an intimate exhibition space that allows attendees to immerse themselves in meaningful conversations and hands-on experiences with industry leaders and decision makers. Whether you’re exploring innovations in AI, virtual production or live sports, the Show provides a wealth of learning, exploration and meaningful connections.

In addition, being in New York City means we can tap into a vast ecosystem of major media brands, production studios and technology companies, attracting attendees from ABC, NBC, HBO and many other key players. Decision-makers can easily access NAB Show New York, making it an ideal event for those looking to stay ahead of the curve in the fast-paced world of broadcast, media and entertainment.

EVERY DAY: Given that attendance at the 2024 NAB Show was slightly lower than in 2023, do you expect attendance in New York to be lower as well?

TIP: The NAB Show 2024 verification rate increased, meaning we had more people on the show floor than last year, and the quality of attendees — those truly interested in learning, networking, and closing business deals — was high.

For NAB Show New York, we expect a similar trend of highly engaged attendees with a projected attendance of 12,000, of which 79% will be buyers and 34% will be final decision makers. New York’s proximity to major industry players, combined with its reputation as the media capital of the world, makes it an attractive option for those who would not be able to travel to Las Vegas for NAB Show in April. The intimate format of the event also encourages deep interactions between exhibitors and attendees, providing high value to those who attend, 32% of whom come from buying groups ranging from broadcasters such as ABC, CBS, Fox Corp. and NBC Universal to American Express, AT&T, Bloomberg, Columbia University, National Geographic, the National Hockey League, the U.S. Senate Recording Studio, Warner Bros. Discovery and YouTube.

We’ve also added timely and relevant content for Q4, including our Election Coverage Summit on Thursday, October 10. The summit will address the critical challenges of political coverage, focusing on journalist safety and combating disinformation during the election cycle. With the upcoming election, this content is especially important for our newsroom and broadcast attendees. Combined with our focus on live production, AI and the creator economy, NAB Show New York is expected to maintain strong engagement and attendance this year.

EVERY DAY: AI was a big theme at the spring NAB Show. What are some of the key themes or trends that will be highlighted in New York?

TIP: AI will certainly remain a major focus at NAB Show New York, especially as it continues to evolve and impact all areas of broadcast, media, and entertainment. However, we’re also spotlighting key trends like the creator economy and live production. The creator economy is thriving, with influencers and independent creators shaping new business models and building brands. We’ll be featuring sessions that explore how creators can leverage AI, monetization strategies, and content distribution tools to maximize their reach and success.

Live production, particularly in sports, will feature insights into the shift to cloud-based workflows, remote production, and AI-powered real-time analytics. The event will also feature engaging discussions on virtual production techniques that are changing everything from traditional filming to live sports broadcasting. By tackling these cutting-edge topics, NAB Show New York is ensuring that professionals are prepared to leverage the latest innovations in the industry.

EVERY DAY: How does NAB Show New York address the needs of smaller media companies and independent creators? (GU1)

TIP: One of the key benefits of NAB Show New York is its intimate exhibit space, which provides an ideal environment for smaller media companies and independent creators to explore solutions tailored to their specific needs. This format allows attendees to spend more time one-on-one with exhibitors, giving them a deeper understanding of how different tools and technologies can work together in their workflows. This hands-on approach is especially valuable for smaller companies that may not have access to large production facilities and need to efficiently optimize their operations.

Additionally, the show highlights accessible and affordable solutions that appeal to independent creators, whether they’re looking to build their own home studios, upgrade their post-production capabilities or monetize their content. NAB Show New York empowers creators of all sizes to find the right tools and technologies to elevate their content and grow their businesses.

NAB Show New York also addresses industry-specific needs through targeted programming, such as the TVNewsCheck Local TV Strategies program, which focuses on helping local broadcasters navigate the disrupted media ecosystem with sessions on financial forecasting, NextGen TV, streaming and artificial intelligence. Similarly, the Radio + Podcast Interactive Forum provides insight into how radio and podcasting professionals are using technology to achieve programming and marketing success. These sessions provide smaller media companies and independent creators with the opportunity to learn from industry thought leaders while also networking with peers to grow their businesses.

EVERY DAY: There are three theatres in the exhibition area. Can you tell us about their purpose and what visitors can expect in each?

TIP: Each of the three theaters at NAB Show New York is designed to highlight key topics in the broadcast, media and entertainment sectors. The first theater, located in the Photo+Video Pavilion, features a variety of content creation sessions, including sessions on cinematography, AI and virtual production, to name a few. Attendees can expect discussions like Fujifilm’s deep dive into storytelling tools and AbelCine’s exploration of virtual production success stories. These sessions are complemented by an AI-focused happy hour, offering networking opportunities with industry experts.

The second theater will feature a wide range of content, including high-profile discussions on streaming and the creator economy. Notable sessions include a keynote with Tubi CEO Anjali Sud discussing how the platform is leading the free streaming space, which will be broadcast on Vox Media’s Channels podcast, hosted by Peter Kafka. We’ll also have engaging conversations on how solopreneurs are building successful brands in the creator economy.

The Third Theatre also offers a diverse range of talks, including sports and AI. Sessions such as “Beyond the Game” will explore how top athletes are building media businesses and engaging fans in new ways through digital platforms, social media and podcasts. Integrating AI into sports broadcasting will also be a key theme, with panels on real-time sports events powered by AI and the future of sports media.

Educational activities in the theatres are combined with interactive social gatherings, which provide participants with valuable opportunities to network and exchange ideas.

EVERY DAY: Are there any important speakers or panel discussions that attendees should look out for?

TIP: Yes, we have a stellar lineup of speakers and panels that will provide in-depth insight into some of the most pressing topics in the industry. One of the most anticipated sessions is Anjali Sud, CEO of Tubi, discussing how the platform has become a key player in the streaming wars. Moderated by Business Insider’s Peter Kafka, this session will provide invaluable insight into how free, ad-supported streaming services are changing the media landscape.

Additionally, Ray Chao of Vox Media will lead a panel titled “Beyond the Game,” which explores how athletes are using digital media to build personal brands and engage audiences beyond traditional sports platforms. Featuring leading experts from Vox Media and CAA Sports, this session will provide a fascinating look at the intersection of sports, media, and digital content creation.

The Election Coverage Summit will be moderated by respected journalists Molly Ball, senior political correspondent at The Wall Street Journal, and Lisa Lerer, national political correspondent at The New York Times. They will explore the critical challenges of election coverage, focusing on issues such as political security, disinformation and the evolving landscape of modern journalism.

Another standout conference is the Radio + Podcasting Interactive Forum, which will feature storytelling powerhouse The Moth, executive producer Sarah Austin Jenness, award-winning radio host Patti Jackson, and Matt DeGroot, VP of Production at Crooked Media/Pod Save America. They will discuss how they built successful brands through storytelling and leveraging digital platforms like podcasts. These sessions, combined with interactive roundtable discussions, will give attendees the opportunity to connect directly with industry leaders and apply actionable insights to their businesses.