Media Centre > News Releases > Archive > 1996 > March 26, 1996

OTTAWA, March 26, 1996 -- Three leading Canadian broadcasting associations have formed a powerful new partnership to stage the largest broadcasting convention and media expo in Canadian history, October 27-29, in Edmonton.

Featuring three related independent annual conventions under one big roof, Broadcasting '96 will combine the vast talents and resources of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), Radio Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) and Western Association of Broadcast Engineers (WABE).

Building on the theme 'Creating the Future Together', the teams of radio and TV station owners, CEOs, news specialists and industry engineers will mesh visionary thinkers and digital technology with the best in programming, news and marketing techniques and services.

Running concurrently with separate programs, the convention will orbit around a single giant 'National Broadcasting & Media Expo' and share some cross-over sessions and social functions. Broadcasting '96 Executive Director, Sharon Orr, says a preliminary CAB program will be released shortly.

"Broadcasting '96 has all the ingredients to be a real winner," said CAB President Michael McCabe. "Not only will it be a bigger and better show than ever before, but all sides will gain efficiencies and reap major benefits in the long haul. I'm confident the practical concept of convention partnerships is the wave of the future."

The overall goal is to continue bringing listeners and viewers Canadian news and entertainment programming that competes effectively with the best the world has to offer.

Specific major benefits of Broadcasting '96 include: An expanded and improved trade show; bigger attendance; greater walk through traffic for exhibitors; cost savings for the associations; deeper pool of talent and resources to put on a better show; and, higher profile.

CAB Convention Planning Committee Co-Chairs are Fred Filthaut, CFRN-TV Edmonton and Doug Rutherford, CHED, Edmonton.

Other CAB Committee members are Al Anderson, Barry Close, Kendall Gibson, Heather Grue, Holly Krueger, Bob Lang, Allan Mabee, Doug Main, Sharon Orr, Craig Roskin, and Sylvie Bissonnette. Representing the WABE are Bob Urban, Bob Hall and Richard Coleman. RTNDA representatives are Rick Wiertz and Warren Henderson.

Please contact:

Susan Tolusso
Director, Communications
(613) 233-4035 ext. 331
(stolusso@cab-acr.ca)