Call for Presentations

SMPTE DC Bits by the Bay 2026

The SMPTE DC Section announces the call for presentations for the 2026 Bits by the Bay technical conference. Annually held for over 13 years, Bits by the Bay is the leading East Coast technical and networking conference. This year’s event will take place from May 20-21, 2026, at the Ron ’N Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, with an anticipated attendance of 100-125 senior technical leaders and decision-makers.

Submissions can be sent to dcbbtb2026 (at) smptedc.org.

This year’s scheduled session tracks include:

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Media (AI, ML, Generative AI): This track will focus on forward-looking or in-depth exploration of AI (e.g., model functionality) specific to media workloads.
125 years of film - Protecting our Past and Advancing the Future: This track will cover the preservation of film and demonstrate how contemporary innovations will facilitate future production.
IP media and Hybrid Cloud: This track will encompass 2110 through hybrid and cloud production, emphasizing novel developments in IP media and collaboration with cloud systems.
The Next 100 Years (or let’s start with 10!): This track will center on identifying and nurturing new, early-career, and underrepresented talent in media, showcasing novel perspectives and recommendations for their integration into the industry.

Student papers are encouraged as part of our ongoing commitment to inclusive representation of the next generation of engineers.

Presentations should be 30-45 minutes in duration and adhere to standard SMPTE guidelines, specifically prohibiting sales presentations. Additionally, we welcome suggestions for panels comprising 3-4 individuals and a moderator.

Questions may arise during or immediately following the presentation, or consolidated at the end of the track. Presentations should showcase novel and emerging technology related to general media and motion picture engineering. Presenters will be present at the Rod ’N Reel for live presentations. Presentations may be recorded for archival purposes, and presenters have the option to opt out. We kindly request that presentation materials be made available to attendees following the event. Presenters are responsible for their travel and hotel arrangements.

In light of the proximity to the NAB Show, we kindly request that you submit your abstract, which should not exceed 150 words, by March 31.

Additionally, there are several other deadlines to be met:

Accepted presentations will be notified by April 16.
Presenter bios, ~100 words in length, and PNG or similar headshots are due by May 1.
Draft presentations for content review must be submitted by May 1.
Final presentations are due no later than May 17.

Presentations should support the speaker and should be limited to 20 slides or less. Presentations will be delivered from a Windows laptop using PowerPoint. You will be provided with a speaker preview monitor and a handheld microphone.