Time is our newest scarce resource. We can't afford to waste any of it. Your time at the annual convention is even more valuable, because even though the event spans nearly a week, it's over before you know it. This is why you need the Engineer's Guide to the 2008 NAB Show.

The National Association of Broadcasters has renamed the convention the NAB Show, following the NAB's interest in expanding the convention to new areas of entertainment technology.

The Radio magazine Engineer's Guide includes several parts, and they extend beyond the pages of this issue. The largest part of the convention are the exhibits, and once again, there's plenty to see. While most of the radio-specific exhibits are in the North Hall, there are many exhibitors with radio-relevant technology in the Central and South Halls. As a preview to what will be shown, the Radio magazine NAB Extra! highlights many of the new offerings.

If you're looking for specific technology, turn to the Radio magazine NAB FASTtrack. This exclusive section organizes the exhibits into product categories, and then sorts those exhibitors by their booth number. This makes it easy for you to move from booth to booth and reduce the time wasted by running from one end of the convention to the other.

To help you find your way, the Radio magazine North Hall map provides a clear view of the hall. Our map also includes an alphabetical listing of exhibitors. The map can be easily removed from this issue, so you can keep the magazine safe in your briefcase while keeping the map handy.

A convention is not built on exhibits alone, however, and our Insight to Sessions provides a convenient timetable to help you plan your day.

I mentioned that our Engineer's Guide extends beyond this printed edition. You can find the other components online at RadioMagOnline.com. For the weeks leading up to the convention, the Radio magazine NAB Insider e-mail newsletter delivers up-to-the-minute information about convention events, exhibitor news and product info. You can subscribe by using the link at RadioMagOnline.com.

As we have done since 2001, the Radio magazine FASTtrack is also available for your handheld device. We include our exclusive FASTtrack and alphabetical listing of the exhibits. This year's version has been created to display through a Web browser, so it can be viewed on nearly any handheld device. The files can be viewed live online or downloaded and saved.

And while you're at the convention, be sure to check RadioMagOnline.com every day to view the Radio magazine Daily Photo Blog. All the sights of the 2008 NAB Show will be captured there. See you at the show.

Exhibit Hall Hours

Monday - Wednesday
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.