Showcasing a variety of data management and distribution companies, the South Upper Hall at the NAB Show opened on Monday morning to good attendance.

But "it's a situation of quality over quantity," says Victor Herring, senior director of the New Products Group at Fujitsu Computer Products of America, when asked about his impression of the NAB Show's first day. "We anticipated some compression of the attendance this year, but we didn't change our strategy for the show."

By maintaining advertising presence and staffing at their booth in the Upper South Hall rather than retrench, Fujitsu looks to maintain momentum gained over the past few years: "If prospective customer companies sent 10 people last year, this year they might have sent just two or three — but they are decision-makers, so every conversation I have here really counts."

"There is much more of an 'IBC-like' vibe today," says Joe Commare, vice president of sales and marketing for Telecast Fiber Systems. Telecast is presenting its camera-mounted CopperHead transceiver system for Grass Valley Infinity camcorders, among other products.

"I feel like I can have a real, substantive conversation today rather than just trying to move people along. I'm upbeat about the show thus far — and manufacturers are doing a good job in this economic climate of maintaining enthusiasm," he said.

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Jane Klausen, director of marketing for Streambox, agrees, noting, "It's still early on the first day, and people are moving their way down to the back of the hall where we are, but we're a destination company. We don't do much 'drop-by' traffic at shows."

Cost savings is a key marketing hook being used by companies throughout the floor.

Fujitsu's video streaming solution using public Internet can save a client more than $150,000 a year in satellite fees, says Herring. "There are trust issues when it comes to this system because there is a public component," he admits, "but, for instance, we have a client who is streaming HD from New York to New Delhi with no issues and excellent quality."

Streambox's software-based newsgathering solutions have gained interest from local broadcasters and networks alike as its mobile video encoders (connected to WiFi, the Internet, WiMAX or other pipelines) can essentially replace an expensive production truck, delivering live location coverage without the usual expenses involved with equipment and additional crew.

"Two people — a cameraman and the talent — can now do the job themselves," says Klausen.

"Do more with less" is emerging as the industry-wide mantra for 2009, and, as Commare confirms, "We're staying the course."