Hello SMPTE Community!

What an exciting year it’s been so far—the energy is truly electric! This year’s NAB Show was my first since 2017, and it felt very different in all the best ways. It was invigorating to be back in the thick of it, especially alongside SMPTE New England Fellows Paul Beck and Tom Sprague, showcasing equipment from the Museum of Broadcast Technology in the booth "next door."

We kicked off our Vegas experience with the Board of Governors’ annual Strategy Day, where we set forward-thinking goals around Standards, Membership, and Education. A highlight of this year’s event was the participation of several early career professionals—rising leaders within the SMPTE community—whose fresh perspectives added energy and depth to our strategic discussions. Huge thanks to Anna Steele, Matthew Klein, Veronica Pineda, Tasha Jones, Monica Brighton, and Marcelle Rutherford for contributing your voices to the future of SMPTE!

Following that, we had an outstanding Future of Cinema Conference—an event made possible by the exceptional contributions of our speakers, panelists, program committee, and dedicated staff. Thank you all for your passion and professionalism. (See NAB Recap on page 10 in this issue.)

One of the most inspiring moments of the week was meeting so many students and early-career professionals at our booth. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to get involved were truly infectious! I’m excited to announce that, alongside Membership Vice President Rose Lockwood, we’re developing a new initiative aimed at better supporting our Student Chapters and members who are entering the industry. We’re curating a range of resources and subject matter experts to support student-led activities and create meaningful opportunities for participation in Section programs.

We also had the opportunity to connect with several industry organizations at NAB that share SMPTE’s commitment to bridging knowledge gaps and expanding access to education. I look forward to sharing more about these collaborative efforts soon, along with other exciting developments on the horizon, including a new and improved membership platform, an oral history book project, and the launch of the SMPTE Ambassador Program!

Next up: our flagship event—the Media Technology Summit! The Call for Papers for the technical program is now open through JUNE 30. This is your opportunity to share your latest breakthroughs with a global community of peers. Whether you’ve streamlined workflows, solved persistent challenges, or are pioneering new media technologies, we want to hear from you!

Submit a 300–400-word abstract describing your original, unpublished work, and it will receive thoughtful, multi-peer review from seasoned technologists. Our review process is built on support and collaboration, not critique. It’s designed to help refine your ideas and elevate your voice in the industry. To submit a paper, visit: https://summit.smpte.org/2025/Submit-a-Manuscript?

Presenting at the Summit boosts your professional visibility, sparks meaningful collaboration, and connects you with a dynamic network of innovators. Have questions? Reach out to us at education@smpte.org—we’re here to help.

Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of our industry—one shared idea at a time.