What Is the NAB Show?

Planning for NAB Show starts with understanding how the event works and what you can expect when you’re there. This guide answers some of the most common questions attendees and exhibitors have about the show. 

Key Takeaways

  • NAB Show is the National Association of Broadcasters’ flagship annual event for media, entertainment, content, and related technology.
  • NAB Show Las Vegas returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center in 2027, with conferences April 3–7 and exhibits April 4–7.
  • More than 40,000 verified attendees and 1,100 exhibiting companies participated in NAB Show 2026.
  • Exhibitors showcase technology for production, post-production, streaming, AI, cloud computing, broadcast engineering, creator businesses, sports media, and more.
What is the NAB show? Here's what you should know.

“NAB” stands for the National Association of Broadcasters, the organization behind the NAB Show. The annual event brings together professionals and companies working across broadcasting, media, entertainment, and content technology.

For exhibitors, NAB Show offers access to technical buyers, creative professionals, media companies, and business leaders involved in creating, managing, distributing, and monetizing video, audio, streaming, broadcast, and digital content.

This guide answers common questions about the event, starting with what the NAB Show is, who attends, and why companies choose to exhibit.

What Is NAB Show?

NAB Show is the National Association of Broadcasters’ flagship annual event and one of the major gatherings for the media, entertainment, and content technology industries. Although its roots are in radio and television broadcasting, the event now encompasses a much broader range of fields, including the following:

  • Film and television
  • Streaming
  • Sports media
  • Content creation
  • Corporate video
  • Post-production
  • Cloud technology
  • Engineering
  • Other areas of the media business

The event combines a large exhibit floor with conferences, workshops, demonstrations, networking opportunities, and educational sessions. For exhibitors, it serves as a business marketplace where companies can demonstrate the tools, products, and technologies used throughout the content lifecycle, from capture and editing to storage, distribution, audience engagement, and monetization.

Where Is NAB Show Held?

NAB Show Las Vegas is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2027 conference and workshop program is scheduled for April 3–7, with the exhibit floor open April 4–7.

The show is spread across the West, Central, and North Halls of the convention center. Different areas focus on categories such as AI, streaming, sports, cameras, audio, editing, post-production, broadcast engineering, cloud technology, and production.

How Big Is NAB Show?

NAB Show is one of the larger professional events serving media and entertainment technology. In 2026, the show included more than 1,100 exhibiting companies. NAB also reported more than 650 sessions, over 1,000 speakers, eight show-floor theaters, eight conference programs, and six hands-on workshops.

That scale is important when you’re exhibiting because attendees have many companies, products, and sessions competing for their time. Having clear messaging at your booth can help people quickly understand what you offer and whether it’s relevant to them.

Who Attends NAB Show?

NAB Show brings together professionals from across the media, entertainment, and technology industries, including:

  • Broadcast executives and engineers
  • Filmmakers
  • Editors and producers
  • Content creators
  • Streaming professionals
  • Sports media teams
  • Corporate video departments
  • Technology buyers
  • Marketers

The audience has also expanded beyond traditional broadcasting. In 2026, NAB reported strong growth among content creators and more than 13,000 corporate media professionals. That makes the show relevant to companies selling both traditional broadcast systems and newer tools for digital media, creator businesses, enterprise video, and streaming.

How Many People Attend NAB Show?

Here's what to know about the attendance at the NAB show in Las Vegas.

More than 40,000 people attended NAB Show Las Vegas in 2026. The audience included visitors from 144 countries, and 23% of attendees were international.

For exhibitors, the size and mix of the audience can create opportunities to meet buyers from many parts of the media industry. Nearly half of the audited 2026 attendees were first-time visitors, which also means the audience isn’t limited to the same returning group each year.

What Companies Exhibit at NAB Show?

Companies exhibiting at NAB Show range from global technology brands and equipment manufacturers to specialized production companies, software providers, and startups. Major 2026 exhibitors highlighted by NAB included:

  • Sony
  • Canon
  • Ross Video
  • Blackmagic Design
  • Adobe
  • Google Cloud,
  • AT&T
  • AWS

These companies represent only part of the more than 1,100 exhibitors that participated in the 2026 show.

Products and services on the show floor cover areas such as production equipment, editing and graphics, cloud technology, streaming, automation, and creator tools. AI has also become a major part of the show, appearing in production, search, personalization, automation, and content management tools.

What Can You See and Do at NAB Show?

NAB Show offers much more than its exhibit floor. You can watch product demonstrations, compare technology, attend show-floor talks, take part in workshops, and sit in on conference sessions.

The 2026 education program included more than 720 hours of programming. Conference and workshop topics included post-production, streaming, broadcast engineering and IT, and AI.

Speakers also come from a wide range of backgrounds. The roster includes creators, filmmakers, media executives, engineers, sports leaders, and technology executives. 

How Much Does NAB Show Cost?

The cost of attending or exhibiting at NAB Show depends on the type of registration, exhibit space, or package you choose. NAB hasn’t yet published 2027 attendee pass pricing. For reference, a standard Show Floor Pass for the 2026 NAB Show was listed at $219, although promotional codes from NAB and participating exhibitors sometimes allowed attendees to register for free.

For 2027, raw exhibit space is listed at $50 per square foot for NAB members and $56 per square foot for non-members. NAB also lists turnkey booth packages, including a 10-by-10 Starter package for $6,550 and a 10-by-10 Traditional package for $11,950.

Is NAB Show Worth Attending?

NAB Show can be worth attending for professionals looking to explore new technology, connect with industry peers, learn about emerging trends, and meet potential business partners. Its main value comes from bringing a wide range of industry professionals together in one place. 

If you’re exhibiting, the show gives you a chance to demonstrate products in person, meet people who may specify or buy technology, and see how competing products are being presented. If you’re attending, you can compare solutions, learn about current workflows, and build a schedule around the categories most relevant to your work.

The NAB Show Is a Major Opportunity for Media Technology Exhibitors 

Having the right exhibit can make your experience at the NAB show what you want it to be.

If NAB Show fits your audience, your exhibit needs to make your company and product category easy to understand in a busy, technology-focused environment. LV Exhibit Rentals helps companies plan and produce trade show exhibits, including booth design, graphics, installation, dismantling, and on-site support.

A well-planned exhibit can give your team a practical space for demonstrations, conversations, and meetings while supporting the way you want visitors to experience your brand. If you’re preparing for the next show, learn more about booth design for the NAB Show and start planning your exhibit around your goals, products, and audience.

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What is the NAB show? Here's what you should know.

What Is the NAB Show?

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Planning for NAB Show starts with understanding how the event works and what you can expect when you’re there. This guide answers some of