Boot Camp 2026

We are pleased to announce that registration for SMPTE Toronto’s Boot Camp 2026 is now open. Boot Camp 2026 is SMPTE Toronto’s signature one-day training and discovery event. As the industry undergoes rapid transformation, Boot Camp offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from the engineers, innovators, and thought leaders driving these changes. Through a dynamic mix of expert led sessions, and real world case studies, attendees will explore the tools, technologies, and creative approaches redefining how live content is captured, managed, and delivered.

Event information and the registration portals are available at: https://mailchi.mp/ea0e2303c551/smpte-toronto-boot-camp-2026-05212026  

We’re seeing remarkable interest from presenters eager to take part in this year’s Boot Camp. It’s shaping up to be one of our most dynamic programs yet. As a reminder, our theme for 2026 is Game Changers: The Future of Sports Live Production and Fan Experience - deep dive into the technologies, workflows, and creative strategies redefining how audiences connect with sport.

Topic: 'Game Changers: The Future of Sports Live Production and Fan Experience'
Date:  Thursday, May 21, 2026 
Times: Event - 9:00am to 7:00pm
Location:  Jet Ice Lounge: Mattamy Athletic Centre, 4th Floor, 50 Carlton Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1J2
Arranged By: SMPTE Toronto Section Board
Current Sponsors: Lawo, Technologie Optic.ca, Qumulo, Boot Camp 2026

Current list of Presentations including Paper Synopses 

1)    Dome Productions – Mary Ellen Carlyle and Mike Johnson - The Evolution of Mobile Production  (Panel/Interview)

Synopsis:  

Nobody understands live production quite like Dome Productions—and no one understands Dome better than Mary Ellen Carlyle and Mike Johnson.

Join us for a rare, behind-the-scenes conversation with two of the people who have helped shape one of the most respected names in the industry. Drawing on 37 years of innovation, resilience, and world-class execution, they’ll share the stories, breakthroughs, and defining moments that built Dome into what it is today.

From the early days of mobile production to the cutting edge of modern sports broadcasting, this session will explore how the industry has evolved—and where it’s heading next. If you care about the future of live sports production, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

2)    Ross Video – Boromy Ung – Aerial Cable Camera Systems

Synopsis:

Join Boromy Ung of Ross Video for an in-depth look at the power and evolution of aerial camera systems in modern sports production.

Aerial cameras have transformed how audiences experience live sports—delivering dynamic, immersive perspectives that bring fans closer to the action than ever before. From sweeping stadium flyovers to precise, high-speed tracking shots, these systems add a layer of storytelling that traditional camera positions simply cannot achieve.

This session will explore the technology behind aerial camera systems, key operational considerations, and how they are deployed to enhance both broadcast quality and fan engagement. Whether you’re focused on engineering, production, or creative direction, this presentation will provide valuable insight into one of the most impactful visual tools in sports live production.

3)    Fujifilm – Stosh Durbacz – Cinematic Cameras for Live Sports

Synopsis:

Join Stosh  Durbacz of Fujifilm for a compelling exploration of how cinematic camera systems are reshaping the look and feel of live sports production.

Once reserved for film and high-end scripted content, cinematic cameras are now making their way into live sports—bringing shallow depth of field, rich colour science, and a distinctly immersive visual style to the broadcast environment. The result is a more emotional, story-driven viewing experience that draws audiences deeper into the game.

This session will examine how these tools are being integrated into live workflows, the technical and operational considerations involved, and the creative impact they deliver. From player close-ups to dramatic pre-game sequences, discover how cinematic cameras are elevating production quality and redefining how sports stories are told.

4)    Girraphic – Thomas Desmeules – Augmenting Broadcasts with Augmented Reality

Synopsis:

Step into a new dimension of sports storytelling with Thomas Desmeules of Girraphic, as he reveals how AR is changing the way viewers experience the game. This is more than just eye-catching graphics—it's about bringing stories to life in ways that captivate, inform, and inspire. From immersive pre-game analysis to dynamic in-game visuals and compelling post-game breakdowns, AR is redefining how every moment is seen, understood, and felt.

In this session, you’ll discover how broadcasters are using these technologies to turn data into drama, strategy into spectacle, and coverage into a truly unforgettable experience. Learn how AR/VR can seamlessly integrate into live production and studio workflows, unlocking new creative possibilities without compromising speed or efficiency.

As a global leader in AR/VR innovation, Girraphic is trusted by some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events to deliver visually stunning and technically sophisticated solutions. Thomas will share behind-the-scenes insights and real-world examples that showcase the power of AR/VR as a storytelling tool—one that doesn’t just enhance the broadcast, but transforms it.

If you’re looking to elevate your productions and create moments that truly resonate with audiences, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

5)    Diversified – Anthony Kuzub - Next Generation Audio: Moving From Buzzwords to Broadcast

Synopsis:

For over a century, our industry has been defined by the "P" in SMPTE—the relentless pursuit of the perfect picture. We obsess over pixels, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and ever-increasing frame rates. But in the high-stakes world of live sports, a stunning 8K image is only half the story; if the crowd doesn't roar around you and the commentary isn't crystal clear, the immersion breaks.

While the industry often treats "Immersive Audio" as a buzzword or a luxury add-on, the reality of modern broadcasting requires a much more pragmatic foundation. Most people think of "Immersive" first when discussing the future of sound, but true Next Generation Audio (NGA) is built on a much deeper invisible architecture. We’ve seen the hype, but where is the substance? In this session, 

Anthony Kuzub of oneDiversified.com pivots away from the visual-centric tradition to explore the engineering that makes good audio actually work. Anthony will introduce a 5-point framework—the essential five "I" of audio—that transforms sound from an underutilized asset into a powerful storytelling tool. 

We will move past the "bed of roses" marketing and look at the real-world engineering required to build audio that isn't just loud, but truly effective. Whether you are an engineer, a producer, or a technologist, this session will challenge you to rethink the role of audio in the sports broadcast arsenal and provide a pragmatic roadmap for the next generation of sound.

6)    Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre – Dwayne Brown and Mike Christiansen –   Lights, Data, Action:  The Evolution of Technology and Operations at Canada’s Premier Sports Venues  (Panel/Interview)

Synopsis:

Go behind the scenes of two of Canada’s most iconic sports venues in this compelling panel featuring Dwayne Brown of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment / Scotiabank Arena and Mike Christiansen of Rogers Centre. Together, they will unpack the technology, infrastructure, and operational expertise required to deliver world-class live sports experiences at scale.

From cutting-edge broadcast integration and in-venue production capabilities to advanced connectivity, display systems, and real-time data workflows, this session will explore how modern venues are evolving into sophisticated, technology-driven environments. More importantly, the discussion will highlight how these innovations are designed with one goal in mind: elevating the fan experience—making every seat feel closer to the action, every moment more immersive, and every visit more memorable.

With perspectives from two of the most recognized venues in the country, attendees will gain valuable insight into how technology and operations intersect to support both live event production and in-venue entertainment. Expect practical examples, forward-looking ideas, and an inside look at how these iconic facilities continue to raise the bar for sports presentation in Canada.

If you’re interested in the future of venue technology and its impact on both broadcast and fan engagement, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

7)    CBC - Francois Legrand – DMF/MXL in Milan

Synopsis:

Francois Legrand of CBC takes the stage to unpack one of the most talked-about developments in modern media infrastructure: the DMF/MXL initiative. Gaining rapid momentum across the industry, DMF/MXL is challenging conventional architectures and introducing a next-generation approach to how media systems are designed, deployed, and scaled.

In this session, Francois will provide a clear and practical overview of DMF/MXL—what it is, why it matters, and why so many broadcasters and technology leaders are paying close attention.

The presentation will go beyond theory, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how CBC successfully leveraged DMF/MXL during the Milano Cortina Olympics to support real-world, high-stakes production workflows.

Attendees will gain valuable insight into the end-to-end workflow, key design decisions, and lessons learned from deploying this emerging framework in one of the most demanding live production environments. Francois will also outline what comes next—where DMF/MXL is headed, and how organizations can begin to prepare for its adoption.

If you’re looking to understand where media infrastructure is going—and how to stay ahead of the curve—this session will provide both the context and the practical takeaways to get you there.

8)    AWS – Noor Hassan – Cloud Based Live Production

Synopsis:

Join Noor Hassan of Amazon Web Services for an insightful look at how cloud-based live production is reshaping the future of sports broadcasting. As the leading cloud provider for media solutions, AWS is at the forefront of enabling broadcasters to build more flexible, scalable, and collaborative production environments—unlocking new possibilities for how live sports are produced and delivered.

This session will explore the rapid adoption of cloud workflows across the industry, highlighting where the cloud delivers the greatest impact and where on-premises infrastructure still plays a critical role. For media engineers, the challenge is no longer if to use the cloud, but how to architect the right hybrid approach—balancing performance, latency, cost, and operational control.

Noor will provide practical guidance on how to evaluate which parts of the live production chain are best suited for the cloud, supported by real-world examples from sports broadcasting. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to make informed infrastructure decisions while positioning their organizations to take advantage of the agility and innovation the cloud enables.

As cloud adoption continues to accelerate in sports live production, this session will equip you with the perspective and tools needed to design workflows that are both future-ready and operationally sound.

9)    Evertz – Mo Goyal – Replay Systems

Synopsis:

Step into the fast-paced world of modern replay with Mo Goyal of Evertz, as he explores how today’s replay systems are transforming the way fans experience live sports. No longer just a tool for reviewing key moments, replay has evolved into a powerful storytelling engine—capturing the drama, precision, and emotion of the game from every possible angle.

This session will showcase the latest advancements in replay technology, from increased channel density and ultra-high-resolution workflows to faster, more intuitive control systems that empower operators to deliver compelling sequences in real time. Attendees will see how these innovations translate directly into a richer viewer experience—bringing audiences closer to the action and revealing details that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Looking ahead, Mo will also share a forward-looking perspective on the future of replay, including the role of automation, AI-assisted workflows, and deeper integration with data and graphics systems. Backed by the industry expertise of Evertz, this session will provide both inspiration and practical insight into how replay continues to evolve as a cornerstone of sports production.

If you want to understand how replay can elevate both storytelling and audience engagement, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

10)    Lawo – Subject TBD  (Likely Technology Solutions used in Milan and for the FIFA World Cup)
Synopsis:  

To be forthcoming once the presentation subject is solidified