The 67th edition of the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers convention is fast approaching, November 5, 6th and 7th at the Delta Hotels Edmonton South Conference Centre. Its still not too late to have your technical staff register and attend this year’s convention. Why is it important to attend?
For the past 67 years WABE must have been doing something right, after all 67 years is a lifetime. Over those years WABE has seen many changes. Change used to be slow, seldom and simple. In 2017 change is fast, frequent and complex. The average broadcast organization has undergone five major changes in the past three years. In addition, 73% of those organizations expect more change in the future.
How many times in the past 4 years have you heard, TV is dead and Radio is not far behind. We all know that is not true even though the internet of things keeps telling us that. We also know TV and Radio is changing rapidly especially on how we provide our products to our customers and listeners / viewers. On the radio side Radio Player Canada is a prime example. Who knew that these broadcast companies would come together to provide a new platform with over 500 radio stations for all our listeners.
With the rapid change broadcast engineers and broadcast IT specialists struggle to keep up, which makes the WABE convention and training opportunities even more important than it has ever been.
For 67 years broadcast engineers have been gathering once a year to attend the WABE convention in Western Canada. We meet and attend training sessions, visit with manufactures, but most importantly learn how to use new innovative technology to help our companies grow and prosper.
WABE’s entire purpose for the past 67 years has been to help our members become better broadcast engineers. We are now offering even more training sessions and our sponsors and exhibitors are introducing new, innovative technology and training to our members.
The broadcast industry will not just survive, it will thrive, with the introduction of new innovative technologies but only if your technical staff understand how to implement and use them. That is one of many reasons to encourage your technical staff to attend WABE. Not only is it a great investment in your technical staff but it is vital for the long-term survival of your broadcast facility.
Bill Stovold
President, WABE
www.wabe.ca
