The Society for Broadcast Engineers, in conjunction with the state broadcast associations for Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, will host a one-day series of engineering-on-a-budget sessions Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, 165 Skimobile Road in North Conway, NH. 

This will be a full day of non-sales-oriented training, focused primarily on getting every watt possible out of every piece of equipment. You don’t have to be an SBE member to attend), but for those who do, you will receive Ennes Workshop credit.

This event is being provided at no cost to attendees, with breakfast and lunch included, and will consist of eight sessions each running 40-45 minutes, with a short “round table” period at the end where attendees can discuss what was presented and add their own thoughts/ideas.

The schedule contains some of the top talents in our industry, presenting with a focus on maintaining older equipment, optimizing performance and getting as much mileage out of it as possible. While there may also be some discussion on deciding when it would be cheaper to replace than to repair, and how to present that discussion to the folks who sign the checks, the goal is to discuss how to get the most out of what you already have.

AGENDA:
*subject to change depending on presenters

8:00-8:45 AM: Check-in and coffee social with continental breakfast

8:45-9:40 AM: Automation tips, metadata and making the audio chain as bullet proof as possible. Presented by Nathan Mumford, Director of Sales Engineering, RCS

9:40-10:35 AM: AoIP and content delivery via network connections. Presented by Tom Hartnett, Technical Director, Comrex

10:35-10:50 AM: Break

10:50-11:45 AM: Getting the most out of your processor and audio chain. Presented by Orban TBA

11:45-12:40 PM: STLs and wireless IP Best Practices. Presented by  Josh Bohn, CEO, The MaxxKonnect Group

12:40-1:10 PM: Complimentary Lunch of assorted sandwiches & wraps, chips and cold beverages

1:10-2:05 PM: FM and TV combiners and filters, a practical workshop. Presented by Steve Wilde, CEO, American Amplifier Technology/Shively Labs

2:05-3:00 PM: Care and Feeding of the FM Antenna System. Presented by Nicole Starrett, Director of Electrical Engineering, Dielectric

3:00-3:15 PM: Break

3:15-4:05 PM: Lightning Protection and Facility Grounding Practices. Presented by Jeff Welton, Regional Sales Manager Eastern U.S., Nautel

4:05-5:00 PM:  Transmitter Maintenance and Cost of Ownership – a round table discussion.

In keeping with the theme, Engineering on a Budget, this will be a no-frills day of hardcore engineering topics. Attendance will be limited to the first 50 to sign up, so if you do register and can’t make it, please let us know ASAP so the seat can go to somebody else.

Click Here to Register

North Conway, NH was chosen to allow most attendees to be able to drive there and back in one day.  But discounted hotel rooms are available at the Fairfield Inn & Suites for those wishing to stay overnight Tuesday, May 6th or Wednesday, May 7th or both. There will be a complimentary reception Tuesday evening from 5:00-6:30PM at the Fairfield Inn & Suites with 2 free drinks and appetizers for anyone associated with the symposium who chooses to arrive Tuesday afternoon. The VAB is also offering $50 travel subsidies to the first 20 VAB members who register. This subsidy will be given in the form of a $50 bill at the event and is meant to subsidize either gas or hotel. Use the link below to get the discounted $99/night rate for 1 King bed/single occupancy or $109/night for 2 Queen beds/double occupancy.

Click Here to Book Your Hotel Room at Fairfield Inn & Suites in North Conway, NH

*The discounted room block closes on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

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