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Bits by the Bay 2025

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Bits-by-the-Bay is Back!

May 21-22, 2025

Rod 'n Reel Resort, Chesapeake Beach, MD

Already excited for Bits 2025?
Ready to buy a ticket? 
Click here    to purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

After a long hiatus, Bits By The Bay, the Washington area’s own technical conference for media professionals, is returning in full form!

SMPTE-DC’s Bits by the Bay 2025 is returning for a full two-day agenda at a freshly renovated venue on May 21-22, 2025, in scenic Chesapeake Beach, MD. Known for its high-quality presentations and its limited, high-value attendance of 200 professionals—including key decision-makers from major East Coast media companies—this event offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with influential thought leaders in broadcasting and media technology.

Jointly organized by the SMPTE Washington, DC Section and SBE Chapter 37 and hosted by at the Rod 'n Reel Hotel and Convention Center in Chesapeake Beach, MD.

Members and friends are invited to join SMPTE DC at Bits By The Bay 2025, a conference that gathers industry leaders, innovators, and thinkers to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of media. This year's program will delve into key areas that are transforming the industry: AI, IP Video, and the Business of Media.

Keynote Speakers and Panel Discussions:

  • Engage with visionary keynote speakers and participate in thought-provoking panel discussions featuring experts from across the media landscape.

  • Explore the cutting-edge advancements in AI and its applications in media production, distribution, and consumption.

  • Learn about the latest developments in IP video technologies, including SMPTE 2110, and their impact on broadcast and streaming.

  • Gain insights into the evolving business models that are driving the media industry forward.

Networking Opportunities:

  • Connect with fellow professionals, expand your network, and forge valuable partnerships.

  • Discover new products and services from leading technology providers.

We look forward to welcoming you to scenic Chesapeake Beach for Bits By The Bay 2025, an inspiring and informative event!

Location and lodging

Bits By the Bay will return to the newly renovated Rod 'n Reel Resort.  To reserve a room, book through the hotel website (link) or call the hotel.

Government employees and others needing a GSA lodging rate, please book your hotel via phone and request the GSA rate.  ☎️866-312-5596

Additional rate discounts maybe available for Military, AARP, and advanced purchase. Details on the website.

If you are coming from out of town, Rod 'N Reel is 45 miles (1h25m drive) from BWI Airport, and 40 miles (1h20m) drive from Reagan National Airport.

Rod 'n Reel Resort
https://www.rnrresortmd.com/ 
4160 Mears Avenue
Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
Toll Free: 866-312-5596

Attendee Tickets

Join us for Bits by the Bay 2025! Secure your spot at this premier event by purchasing your tickets today. Early bird discounts are available for a until April 15, so don't miss out on this opportunity to save.

Tickets can be purchased online through the links provided below. Please note that prices increase after April 15.  A new window for stripe.com will open. Continue your purchase through Stripe.

Ticket Type Price Purchase Link
Bits by the Bay - Member Attendee Ticket - Early Bird $125 Buy Now
Bits by the Bay - Non-Member Attendee Ticket - Early Bird  $175 Buy Now
Bits by the Bay - Member Attendee Ticket $150 Buy Now
Bits by the Bay - Non-Member Attendee Ticket $200 Buy Now
Bits by the Bay - Day of Attendee Ticket $250 Buy Now
Bits by the Bay - Dinner $35 Buy Now

 

Sponsorship opportunities available at all levels. Please contact dcbbtb2025 (at) smptedc.org.

Anticipated Schedule (subject to chage without notice)

Time Session Title Summary Presenter
Day 1 - Wednesday May 21      
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast    
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Soft Skills Preview An introduction to the soft skills that are essential for success in the media technology industry. Karl Kuhn, Sherwood Insights
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Introductions Salutations, announcements, introductions by Bruce Wahl (Mayor of Chesapeake Beach), Sally-Ann D'Amato (SMPTE Executive Director), Fred Willard (SBE Director), James Snyder (Unicoi Communications LLC ) Maciej Ochman, SMPTE DC Chair
9:35 AM - 11:15 AM Fractional Frame Rates Troisième Partie: How to End Them?

There are many factors behind the continued use of fractional frame rates (as well as interlaced video), but most have become irrelevant over time.  This session will review and continue the discussion of the problems created by these legacy concepts, and how they might finally be eliminated.

 TBD
11:15 - 11:30 AM Coffee/Tea Break

 

  
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM ATSC 3.0 update State of Broadcast Industry: New utilization for ATSC, Next Gen updates, statistics domestic and foreign, new IP and 5G TBD
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM Law and Industry update FCC actions, local community service requirements, net neutrality legislation Ari Meltzer, Wiley Rein LLP
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Lunch break and NAB wrap up “Best of Show” from NAB (12:45PM-1:30PM)

Tom Butts, Editor-in-Chief, TV Tech
2:35 PM - 3:05 PM The dark side of AI How media can be manipulated by bad actors, building AI trust Ed Grogan, Principal Engineer, DoD
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM C2PA and better AI safeguards Latest research and discoveries in AI safeguards Mike Palmer, AVP Media Management at Sinclair Broadcast Group
3:45 PM - 4:00 PM AI wrap Up Panel / Q&A Grogan, Palmer, Jonathan Solomon, Cloud Whisperer & Innovation Trailblazer
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM Afternoon Break    
4:15 PM - 4:55 PM The ins and outs of media workflow Prosumer technology good enough for professional media workflow? Industrial, NDI, IPMX, Dante, JPEGxs, streaming formats integrated into broadcast grade facilities TBD
5:00 PM - 5:35 PM AIM Alliance, NMOS, and discovery updates Media over IP upgraded compatibility, easier implementation TBD
5:40 PM - 6:15 PM The latest and greatest additions and modifications to the 2110 suite of standards Newest SMPTE Recommended Practices and Standards implementations for 2110 TBD
6:15 PM - 6:30 PM SBE Education, SBE Certification, and Quiet Break   Fred Willard, SBE Director
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Cocktail Party    
7:45 PM - 9:30 PM Dinner    
Day 2 - Thursday May 22      
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast    
9:10 AM - 9:50 AM 2110 Lessons learned: Greenfield Buildout 1 Local WTTE TBD
9:50 AM - 10:30 AM 2110 Lessons learned: Greenfield Buildout 2 WETA PBS TBD
10:30 AM - 11:10 AM 2110 Lessons learned: Greenfield Buildout 3 ESports Live Broadcasting  2110 Facility Case Study with Lukas Odhner TBD
11:25 AM - 12:05 PM 2110 Lessons learned: Greenfield Buildout 4 Monumental Sports or Diversified or NBC local media WRC TBD
12:05 PM - 12:30 PM 2110 Lessons learned panel and Q&A Representatives from each of the greenfield buildouts, plus Ross, Matrox, and Imagine reps  
12:30 PM - 12:45 PM Lunch break and HDR roundup HDR applications for news and sports  
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM SMPTE National and Local Chapter Announcements    
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM HDR Applications for news and sports lunch talk    
2:00 PM - 2:35 PM More HDR in news and sports    
2:35 PM - 3:10 PM Bonus session on film scanning and archiving technology    
3:10 PM - 3:50 PM Business model for media over IP Business case for engineering upgrades to media over IP  
4:05 PM - 4:45 PM Cloud, hardware, or hybrid? Technical and business analysis of cloud, hardware, and hybrid models  
4:45 PM - 5:25 PM Career development in media technology Industry trends, restructuring, layoffs, how to position yourself for success Karl Kuhn, Sherwood Insights
5:25 PM - 6:20 PM State of industry and how to adapt Invite tech managers, ambitious students, general media manager, panel discussion George Beneman, MPT and others TBD
6:20 PM - 6:30 PM Wrap and thank you  

Maciej Ochman, SMPTE DC Chair
6:30 PM - Onward Optional get together crab house social event, etc To be determined  

 

Presentations