NAB Show 2009 begins in America

The annual American NAB Show has officially begun in Las Vegas.

Technical conferences and production workshops get underway on Saturday morning, and exhibits open for a four-day run beginning on Monday.

NAB executive vice president Dennis Wharton says even though attendance is expected to be down somewhat from last year, he still predicts a great show:

“We’ve got more than 1,500 exhibitors coming and we’re expecting a huge turnout from the international audience. We have more than 100 first time exhibitors.”

Recent shows have each generated an estimated $50 billion in floor sales, but numbers are expected to be down on past years due to the global recession.

Wharton would not comment on show registration figures, saying he prefers to wait until on-site registration is complete.

The NAB Show is on in Las Vegas until Thursday, April 23. Session details at the link below.