Click here to register for your free Exhibit Hall Pass, Day Pass, or Full Conference Pass

The WABE Media & Entertainment Technology Conference is your chance to connect, learn, and see technology that is shaping content creation and distribution in Canada today. This is your once-in-three-years opportunity to attend in Calgary at no cost with a free Exhibit Hall Pass, or by choosing a Day Pass or Full Pass to take in all sessions and networking events.

Kicking Off Bridging the Past and Building the Future with a Celebration

On September 29, we kick off at 6pm with WABE’s 75th celebration that includes a gathering of SAIT Broadcast Systems Technology graduates and staff. Some are flying in from around the country, some are from just down the street, but it’s sure to be a great reunion for all who attend.

The SAIT BXST program, which closed in 2020, has a far-reaching and important legacy in the broadcast and media entertainment industry. Graduates are working behind the scenes at companies like CBC, Rogers, Bell, Dome, TSN, NBC, and at Cisco, Diversified, Ross Video—just to name a few of the companies still feeling the impact of the quality graduates this program produced.

WABE has always kept students and their connection to the industry in mind. This is why students can attend the conference and audit all programming for free—to grow their networks, expand their understanding of the industry, and discover where they can work. Maybe their job is in front of the camera, maybe it’s behind the scenes, working for a company that makes or installs the technology.

This year, we already have students signed up for tours during the Exhibit Hall hours, and whole first- and second-year classes coming to explore, meet people working in media and entertainment technology, and fill their delegate bags with swag that reminds them of the gear they’ll soon be using.

We also have something special planned on Monday, September 29 before the evening kickoff. If you’re in town, meet us at the reception desk at 4:15 PM, where Erin Ruttan will lead a walk to the Calgary WAVE Tech Centre. There, you’ll get a personal tour and introduction to how the City is experimenting with ATSC 3.0 as part of its Smart Cities program. The WAVE Tech Centre is a hub that allows City teams to explore new and emerging technologies, encourage pilots and experiments, and guide investment decisions—all in support of Calgary’s digital transformation.

Panel discussion with industry leaders

Navigating the Future: Regulation, Innovation, and the Canadian Media Landscape

Moderator: Connie Thiessen – Broadcast Dialogue

Goal: To examine the current regulatory landscape of Canada’s media sectors—including radio, television, and film—and discuss proactive ways industry professionals can engage, influence, and adapt.

Panellists: Kirk Nesbitt – CAB Technical Steering Committee, Steve Jones – President, Stingray Radio, Damian Petti – 2nd International VP, IATSE, Adnaan Wasey – City of Calgary Film Commissioner

Connecting the Dots: Opportunities and Challenges in Canada’s Media & Entertainment Technology Landscape

Moderator: Tim Truax – Podcast Summit

This engaging panel will bring together experts from AV, broadcast, film, and live event production to explore opportunities for growth, collaboration, and innovation within Canada’s media & entertainment technology landscape and beyond.

Panellists:

Kevin Desjardins – President, CAB; Jeff Moore – EVP & CMO, Ross Video; Johnathan Garcia – Technical Marketing Director, Crestron; Mike Johnson – Director of Engineering, Dome Productions

Featured Presentations you don’t want to miss!

Check out our schedule now.

Beyond the panels, WABE 2025 is packed with cutting-edge sessions from leaders across broadcast, post-production, radio, and film. On the morning of September 30 if your on holidays wear your orange shirt and join us for these great topics. WABE will open the conference with Robert Seeliger of Fraunhofer FOKUS, who will share insights on Green Streaming – Technologies for an Energy Efficient Delivery Chain. Later that day, Guillaume Aubuchon of Avid, presented by Annex Pro, will take attendees through From Rough Cut to Final Frame: AI’s Role in the New Editorial Workflow, while Jeff Welton of Nautel offers a practical session on Radio Transmitters and Sites: Tips, Tricks and War Stories. In audio, Greg “Stryke” Chin from Dolby will demystify immersive sound with Not Just for Blockbusters: Practical Dolby Atmos for Smaller Studios, and Erin Ruttan from the City of Calgary will showcase NextGen Broadcast Innovations with The City of Calgary. Vendor showcases from Sam Schauland of LAWO and ATEME will provide direct looks at next-generation tools, while sessions on October 1 include Guillaume Aubuchon of Avid returning with AI in Broadcast: Strategy, Risk, and Real-World Impact, Charles Rousseau of CBC presenting Toward Dynamic Media Facility (DMF), and Leigh Whitcomb of Meinberg with PTP Made Easy: Uncovering the Mysteries of SMPTE 2110 and Genlock. Radio-focused talks continue with Grant Biebrick of PTS and Kirk Harnack of Telos Alliance exploring Beyond The Box: A Software-First Approach for Today’s Radio Air Chain. Film professionals won’t want to miss Ivona Ries-Arri and Brigette Bennett of Panavision, who will discuss Technology in the Film Industry, while Paul Stechly of Applied Electronics closes with a deep dive into Design and Implementation of SMPTE 2110.

The Exhibit Hall – Always Free

There’s very little that’s free these days, but our Exhibit Hall is free. Come grab a coffee (maybe even a cookie), meet suppliers and vendors, and see the latest technology shaping our industry.

Tuesday, Sept 30: 1–6 PM (5pm Happy Hour)

Wednesday, Oct 1: 9 AM–12 PM

No other sessions are scheduled during these hours, so you can give your full attention to the exhibit hall floor.

Vendor Showcases & Exhibitors

Vendor Showcases from LAWO & ATEME

At WABE 2025, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of industry-leading exhibitors in our free exhibit hall.

These include:

Blackmagic Design,  G.S. Broadcast Technical Services Ltd., RCS Sound Software, SMPTE, KLZ Innovations Ltd., Pippin Technical Service Ltd., VidCom Communications Ltd., Kokusai Denki, SFM, DataVisual Marketing Inc., Adder Technology, AVL Media Group, Streamwell, Telestream, Diversified, RED Digital Cinema, IJES Camera Support Systems Inc., LAWO, Ateme, Imagine Communications, Studio Network Solutions, Ross Video, Interfax Systems Inc., SHAPE, Rohde & Schwarz, Nautel, LEMO Canada Inc., Matrix Video Communications Corp (MVCC), Sony Electronics Inc., Riedel Communications Inc., Technalogix Ltd., GerrAudio Distribution, Text Groove, Gates Air, RVALM, Burli News Software, Radio.Cloud, Applied Electronics, LG Electronics Canada Inc., Sennheiser Canada, Novanet Communications Limited, Avateq Corp, WideOrbit, Grass Valley Canada, Deltech Communications Group Inc., Daktronics, VW Mason, AVIXA, Ericsson Professional Services

Registration Options

• Exhibit Hall Pass – FREE 
• Media Mixer Ticket – $15 (Reunion/Birthday/Awards) 
• Day Pass – $90 access to sessions & panels for one day 
• Full Conference Pass – $175 (includes all sessions, Media Mixer, and networking opportunities) 

Register here today and make your plan to attend.

Bring a friend, a student, or a colleague. Forward this article to someone in your network. 

Don’t let October 2 be the day you realize you should have come. Sign up now and attend WABE Media & Entertainment Technology Conference in Calgary.

The post WABE: Bridging the Past and Building the Future with its 75th Celebration appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

By Tessa Potter

President, Western Association of Broadcast Engineers

WABE 2025: Calgary, Alberta | September 29–October 1

Learn more and register at wabe.ca

“Just come” is quickly becoming one of the mottos I use most often when talking about this year’s WABE Media & Entertainment Technology Conference. As we approach our 75th anniversary event in Calgary, Alberta, just under 35 days away, there’s a sense of momentum, reflection, and welcome in the air.

We’re ready to greet old friends and new at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre this fall from September 29 to October 1. As I took my first real holiday in seven years, driving from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay, down to Duluth and back through International Falls, I found myself thinking about technology, the history of our industry, and where I sit in it. Where are my skills most useful? Where is all this going? And how did we get here?

On that long drive, you can still spot some of the old towers from the Trans Canada Microwave System, now reused for modern tech. It’s a striking visual of our history. On July 1, 1958, that network introduced the country to the possibility of live network television and direct long-distance phone services to Canadians coast to coast. With 139 towers spanning over 6,275 kms, it was the longest network in the world at the time. The impact on Canadian broadcasting was enormous. CBC, using this infrastructure, could now transmit television programming nationally. From my understanding, this was a defining moment when national broadcasting truly began to take hold in Canada.

Fast forward to today, me in the car, trying to read LinkedIn posts debating the relevance of FM radio, all while having no cell signal on the way to Thunder Bay and regretting not downloading more of my Tidal playlist. My husband and I couldn’t agree on a podcast, so we turned to local radio, got a sniff of something different on SiriusXM, or I read poetry aloud from a library book I brought along.

Yes, we streamed a movie in our Airbnb on a Roku TV. But I still wish I had brought a paper map. Google Maps doesn’t always work when your cell signal drops to SOS. It reminded me that 25% of Canadians still live in areas where constant 5G coverage isn’t available. And when Starlink went down recently, I remembered that even the “perfect” systems have limits. The promise of simple plug-and-play satellite internet is compelling, but no technology is without friction.

Even with my background, I can program video routers, newsroom systems, and navigate and learn new systems easily, but on my trip I couldn’t stop my phone’s microphone from cutting out our music every time I tried to search in Google while it was plugged in. It was one of many tech arguments on our trip. Eventually, we just went analogue, possibly because I’m getting old, but more likely because I didn’t want to be frustrated on holiday.

Travelling through small towns and finding hidden gems reminded me how this hand held cell phone can solve problems, create opportunities, and connect us, but it can also be a pain in the ass. More features don’t always mean less work. 

More than anything, it reminded me that people still need breaks. With all the downsizing, small teams, and single-person roles we see now, when someone goes on vacation, the whole project can pause for two weeks.I really appreciate that I work on teams even at WABE where someone can pickup the work and continue the forward motion while you take a break to sample life beyond work with people you love.

And just like that, September is coming. Everyone will come back. The emails will start. Projects need to be finished. New ones need to be started. Promises from spring come due. It’s full force, and it takes a strong team, skilled people, and determination for successful results.

Being a WABE friend, volunteer, or community member is all about this wider industry team. I’m reminded of this every time someone reaches out: “Do you know someone who can fill this job?” or “Do you have advice for a career move?” or “Can you introduce me to someone who can help?” So many of the technical wizards I’ve worked with over the years aren’t on LinkedIn. They don’t post often. They’re modest and busy and effective. But they’re looking, for the right fit, the right work, the right place to be valued.

At WABE, we’ve been working for years to expand beyond broadcast. Our mission has always been to connect the people who work with the tech that creates and distributes content. We know Canada is big and spread out, but the intersection of AV, film, live events, broadcast, and content delivery is where new ideas are born.

Our full program is now live at wabe.ca. You’ll find a little bit of everything: broadcast, audio, video, film tech, AV, and more. Our exhibit hall will feature sales professionals, manufacturers, tech experts, and innovators. It’s the largest gathering in Canada for this type of cross-sector exchange. And we’ve kept the cost low to attend:

• Free to attend the Exhibit Hall
• $175 for a full conference pass
• $15 for our Media Mixer Reunion & 75th Birthday Party on Monday
• Day passes are available for programming sessions

We are only able to do this because of the generous support of our sponsors—companies who understand our mission and have helped volunteers keep WABE going for 75 years.

We rely on vendor support, sponsorship, and exhibit booth bookings to help cover the cost of renting the venue and producing the event. We’ve always done our best to keep prices affordable. But if you or your company don’t have the bandwidth or budget to contribute financially, we still just want you to come. Meet the community & be a part of it.

If you’ve seen the photo of WABE’s founding members, you might not see yourself reflected in that group, and I get it. I don’t either. But when I look at it, I see people who did similar work. They were learners. They believed in the power of gathering and learning from each other to push an industry forward.

Sure, the Trans Canada Microwave System is gone. Maybe FM radio isn’t flashy to the kids. Maybe cinema cameras with reels or POTS telephone systems feel like relics. But this foundation built a Canadian identity and some really amazing technology right here at home. Today’s tech,5G, IP, software, streaming, immersive audio, hybrid workflows, it all stands on that past. And we need a new generation of leaders who understand how this fits together. This is why we picked our theme: Bridging the Past and Building the Future.

There’s no perfect system, only systems in development and aging ones still in use. That’s why gathering in Calgary this fall matters. We care about keeping this space and making room for a community in Canada for tech conversations across sectors.

So just come.

Come to connect. Come to learn. Come to share what you know.

Explore the full conference program

Register now

Join our mailing list

Follow us on LinkedIn

If you’re a friend of WABE, share our socials. Forward this article. Invite your coworkers. Help us spread the word.

This is the final year of my presidency—and what a way to go out. Our 75th is not just a milestone, it’s a launchpad. We’re looking for new volunteers who understand our vision and mission and want to carry it forward:

• Help with the website
• Connect with next year’s speakers
• Plan the conference
• Offer marketing expertise
• Research new sectors and vendors
• Support the next wave of WABE friends
  

This is what 75 years of building a media technology community in Canada looks like: people connecting with people about tech!

And the invitation still stands:

Just come.

The post Just Come: A Reflection on 75 Years of WABE and the Future of Media & Entertainment Technology appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.