The decision to attend NAB 2021 was a tough one for me. After being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the show was rescheduled for October. As the second-largest tradeshow in Las Vegas, NAB is a massive event that I’ve always looked forward to attending. It’s where I’ve made countless connections and grown my career through random in-person meetings and events.
However, with major vendors like Adobe, Blackmagic Design, Canon, and Sony pulling out of the show, it was clear that NAB needed to cut its losses. Even more companies withdrew earlier this year, citing concerns over the rise of Covid-19 variants. While NAB initially stated that they would prioritize the safety of their community, they ultimately made the difficult decision to cancel the event.
As someone who loves exploring new cameras and gear, attending NAB without the biggest vendors just wouldn’t be the same. And let’s be real, the after-parties and events are where the real action is. While I’m fully vaccinated and have attended a few larger events recently, I’m not mentally ready to be fully surrounded by people just yet.
I miss attending NAB and discovering new tools from smaller vendors. I’m hopeful that the show will make a big return in April 2022, but we’ll have to wait and see how travel and large gatherings are affected in the coming months.
In the meantime, here are a few photography gear tips, tricks, and advice to keep you in the loop.