NABiQ: A Conference Innovation Sprint for Brainstorming & Networking at NAB Show in Las Vegas
Creating space and forging connections at one of the world’s largest media conferences.
Conference Innovation Sprint Case Study
Type: Conference Innovation Sprint
Client: National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
Event: NAB Show, Las Vegas
Years: 2022, 2023 and 2024 (three editions)
Format: Facilitated, short-form challenge sessions with live idea pitches; ideation sessions added in 2024
2023 scale: 20 sessions across four challenge areas
Participants: NAB Show attendees from the broadcast, media and technology community; total headcount not confirmed
About NAB Show
National Association of Broadcasters
HQ: Washington, DC
Sector: Trade association representing America’s radio and television broadcasters
Role of NAB Show: A meeting point for professionals across broadcasting, media, entertainment and technology
Objective: Create opportunities for the industry community to explore shared challenges and surface new ideas.
NABiQ created an interactive networking space for people across the media and entertainment industry to work on shared challenges. The format evolved across three editions; by 2024, it included ideation sessions alongside the live challenge-and-pitch experience.
NABiQ brought innovation activity onto the conference floor. Instead of asking attendees only to listen to presentations, the format invited them to join a facilitated working session, meet people with different expertise and develop an idea around a real industry challenge.
MHD worked with NAB across three editions from 2022 to 2024, refining the experience over time. In 2023, the programme ran 20 sessions around four themes: creator-led production, AI and alternative reality in advertising, sustainable streaming, and personalised viewing. By 2024, the format had developed to include ideation sessions as well as the challenge-based sessions and pitches.
“Maria brought a hands-on, collaborative experience to NAB Show through NABiQ, helping attendees connect, exchange perspectives and develop ideas together.”
Process
We helped shape the session experience so that a conference attendee could join, contribute and share an idea within a short, clearly guided format. The 2023 session plan was built around one-hour sessions for small groups, with a simple output template to capture the challenge and proposed solution.
Each session followed a practical sequence:
Frame the challenge: A short introduction and briefing to align the group.
Generate options: Focused brainstorming around the selected theme.
Shape an idea: The group defined a solution and how it could work.
Share back: A short show-and-tell gave the group a chance to pitch its thinking on-stage.
MHD facilitated 70+ in-person sessions across three shows 2022-2024. The format was developed further for 2024, when pre-conference online ideation sessions were added to the programme. This progression let NAB build on the earlier editions rather than simply repeat the same activation.
“I really liked the team-building, we collaborated with each other, ran ideas off each other, bounced them off then found the really good ones at the end so that was really fun teamwork.”
“Worth attending! We had so much fun and you facilitated our group so well! Thank you!”
“The team building aspect is great we all worked together in different fashions so that was already natural. Just to throw ideas out there to see what sticks and being facilitated by the great group here at NABiQ really helped us to put it on paper and make it concise so thank you guys for having us it was fun!”
“Getting creative and just being given the opportunity to think rather than just attend - that two-way thing was just great. Having those team members collaborate and come up with an idea, walk through it til the end and pitch it in the same day was cool.”
Outcomes
Together, the sessions and concepts show how a conference can create space for hands-on learning, peer knowledge exchange and practical idea development.
Add a hands-on sprint to your conference
Want to give your attendees more than a seat in the audience? MHD Innovation designs and facilitates hands-on, tangible and fun Conference Innovation Sprints that turn participants into contributors—bringing people together to exchange knowledge, learn by doing and shape ideas together. Get in touch to create an experience for your next conference.
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