The MENA broadcasting industry is expected to continue its stagering growth and seems to be immune to the declining global economy. American manufacturers will benefit if they recognize the significance of this fact, especially with the predicted U.S. recession and the depreciating value of the dollar. The companies that will be most successful are those who are able to turn this situation to their favor by venturing into emerging markets and increasing their sales/experts overseas. MEB and NAB Associations strengthened their partnership this year by connecting NAB Show exhibitors with the growing broadcasting market in the Middle East, a win-win opportunity for everyone involved. A special MEB/NAB report starts on page 12 and will provide your company with important facts and tools to help you meet this challenge.

As part of our mission to support the multi-platform broadcasting industry in the Middle East, MEB has collaborated with NAB to inaugurate a new nonprofit project that will serve as a year-round, fully-functional, hands-on mobile HD production facility. The MEB HD Truck will be equipped with the latest high definition TV equipment in order to train industry professionals, educators, and broadcasting students throughout the region. Station owners, general managers, and engineers will be invited to experience HD and SD product integration and operation, courtesy of our new MEB HD Truck. MEB and NAB are quite interested in collaborating with sponsors and contributors all over the world who want to expand their reach into thriving markets.

This is MEB’s second HD project dedicated to the Middle East. In 2005, the MEB Association built the Middle East’s FIRST fully-functioning all-HD television station to demonstrate how to adopt high definition technology in the region. With the support of more than thirty manufacturers worldwide, over 300 students generated hours of interesting programming broadcast regionally via Arabsat in both HD and SD.

NAB and MEB are committed to providing real solutions and numerous benefits to every media delivery platform. These include television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, film production, audio production, video production and post production, multimedia, the Internet, satellite transmission, and telecommunications. I urge you to join our winning team now and take advantage of the impg portant benefits available to both Western firms and Middle Eastern networks, universities, and media facilities. Please sign up and become a member today by filling out the membership form on page 42.