Former National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Gordon Smith will receive the organisation’s Distinguished Service Award during the 2022 NAB Show in Las Vegas.

He will receive the award, NAB’s highest honour, at the NAB Show Welcome session on Monday, April 25.

Smith served as president and CEO of NAB from November 2009 until his transition to special advisor at the end of 2021 and was lauded as the chief advocate for America’s radio and television broadcasting industry on legislative, regulatory, technological and economic matters.

NAB President and CEO, Curtis LeGeyt, says, “As the head of NAB for more than a decade, Gordon was instrumental in advancing our agenda to help radio and television stations thrive. Gordon’s leadership, dedication and political acumen have enabled broadcasters to continue serving their local communities in ways no other medium can. It is an honour to present him with the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of the immense impact he has left on broadcasting in our country and around the world.”

The NAB DSA is presented annually to a broadcaster who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the American broadcasting industry.

Previous award recipients include Jim Henson, Alan Alda, Michael J. Fox, Mary Tyler Moore, President Ronald Reagan, Edward R. Murrow, Bob Hope, Walter Cronkite and Oprah Winfrey.