(By Gary Berkowitz) If you’ve ever attended NAB Show, you know those words well, as they are always the first question asked when you run into someone you know when attending the NAB! So now that we know when we got in, let’s look at some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from attending NAB’s over the years.
NAB Show is the greatest way to meet people. I’ve been a student of radio for a long time. From day one, I was an avid reader of trades and knew all the names, and stations they worked at. How exciting it was to walk into the NAB and see all these name tags of the people I only read about before. I quickly learned that most radio people are great when you meet them and are very willing to share to talk about their experiences. For me, this was invaluable.
Radio’s leading vendors are there. From the latest equipment to all of the jingle companies, they are all in one place. Most important, they were all very willing to spend time with me to explain their products and how they could help my station. I was like a kid in a candy store! NAB Show allowed me the opportunity to visit these booths for the entire show (and I did that frequently).
Network and Manufacturer dinners are the best. Not only did it allow me to keep my expenses down, but going to these dinners put me in front of many industry leaders. From record companies to networks, I always tried to line up as many of these events as possible. Just like I knew their names, I was surprised to know they knew mine. It was at these dinners that I met some of the most influential people in my career.
Yes, there’s a lot to learn. Many people say they never go to the sessions. By doing this, you’re missing a lot. I always found the sessions very interesting. I loved hearing some of the most successful radio people speak and share their stories that led to success. The Q&A after was always the best part. I was never shy when it came to asking questions. You should not be either.
Get contact info and take lots of pictures. During the convention, you’re going to meet lots of people. Make sure you bring a lot of business cards with your contact info on them. At the same time, make sure you get a card from everyone you meet. I always tried to email everybody I met with a simple “nice to meet you message” It goes a long way, and they will always remember you for it. As for pictures, take a lot of them. You’ll appreciate it years from now.
I never regretted going to a NAB conference. They were always fabulous experiences and I got to meet so many radio people at the same time. If you’re lucky enough to be in attendance, take advantage of every minute. And by the way, Wenja going home?
Gary Berkowitz specializes in ratings improvement for AC and Classic Hits radio stations in all size markets. He can be reached at (248) 737-3727 or [email protected]. Read Gary’s Radio Ink archives here.
