The impact of world events on NAB convention attendance will be known in a few days.
Some attendees and exhibitors have expressed concern privately that the war might depress attendance, particularly from abroad. One exhibitor has cancelled a press conference "due to the current world climate with travel uncertainties and a low attendance response" from reporters.
But NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton said, "We've had a few cancellations, but so far we're tracking at about last year's pre-registration attendance level." Attendance in 2002 was 92,356 registered attendees, down from 113,363 the year before.
Exhibitors will occupy 840,000 square feet, down from 901,000 in 2002. NAB anticipates about 1,200 exhibitors.
