It’s official: With under two months until the start of the first NAB Show since spring 2019, and associated co-located events such as the Radio Show set for an in-person October affair, National Association of Broadcasters EVP/Managing Director of Global Connections and Events Chris Brown has revealed that all attendees and participants must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination should they wish to attend any of the Las Vegas conferences and vendor expos.
The announcement, distributed to the NAB Show Community just past Noon Pacific Time, came less than 24 hours after the Consumer Technology Association said all CES 2022 in-person attendees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
“We have worked for the past several weeks to finalize protocols that will maximize the experience and safety of all members of the NAB Show community,” Brown said, noting that the process involved “extensive consultation with health and safety experts, gathering feedback from a range of exhibitors and attendees, and a review of safety measures recommended by local and national health authorities.”
Brown added that there’s a “strong eagerness” among the NAB Show community to return in person, and “steady attendee registration” is being seen.
This is key for the NAB, as it is holding out on offering any sort of hybrid option, eschewing a digital access option. This is being offered by CES 2022 as well as the ANA Masters of Marketing Conference the week prior to the NAB Show, in Orlando, Fla.
NO FACE MASK MANDATE
The other big takeaway for the NAB Show, aside from no digital log-in option, is that there will be no requirement for attendees to wear a face mask.
Potential NAB Show attendees were asked specifically about a potential mask mandate in a two-day online poll conducted through Wednesday (8/18).
With the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus still wreaking havoc among the unvaccinated and a select number of vaccinated Americans, it shows that the NAB is turning to its community in deciding to make face masks fully optional and based on local guidelines.
The survey asked specifically if a mask mandate for all participants would aid, or lessen, one’s comfort while at the NAB Show; and if a vaccination and mask mandate would make an attendee more or less comfortable. The NAB also asked in the poll if it should require participants to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters is outright snubbing the Radio Show by scheduling its 45th Annual Fall Broadcast Conference and 21st Power of Urban Radio Forum from October 13-15 at the Urban One-owned MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino in Maryland. The NABOB conference will again be held jointly with the U.S. Black Chambers, the national advocacy organization for Black-owned businesses.
