When Larry Kaplan founded SDVI Corporation in 2013, attending NAB Show was a no-brainer.

“I came to NAB Show because this is where the key decision makers — the early adopters — come,” Kaplan.

Determined and focused, he transformed hallways and empty rooms into impromptu meeting spaces, sharing his vision with anyone willing to listen. Each encounter was a chance to spark dialogue, collect feedback and build lasting connections.

One of those early exchanges happened on a bench outside the Las Vegas Convention Center, where Kaplan outlined his idea to John Honeycutt, Discovery’s chief technology officer. Honeycutt didn’t hesitate: “I’m in,” he said.

More than a decade later, SDVI is the leading platform provider for cloud-native media supply chains — and Warner Bros. Discovery is its largest shareholder.

And it “all started on that bench outside South Hall,” Kaplan said.

Showing Up Matters

SDVI didn’t become a market leader overnight. Strategic persistence — and returning to NAB Show year after year — fueled its growth.

“I think the expectation is that you are here,” Kaplan said. “To not participate in NAB Show is, I would say, without exception, a marketing mistake.”

For him, the Show offers unmatched access. Over the years, SDVI has forged more than 70 company partnerships on site. “It’s a very efficient way to meet a lot of important people in a short period of time,” Kaplan said. “Especially international partners.”

That kind of access extends to companies at every stage. From startup zones and partner pavilions to award programs and product launches, NAB Show provides pathways to test ideas, meet buyers and lead the next wave of transformation.

I think the expectation is that you are here. … To not participate in NAB Show is, I would say, without exception, a marketing mistake.

— Larry Kaplan, President and CEO, SDVI

Recognition and Impact

This year, SDVI took home multiple honors: two Project of the Year Awards for collaborations with A+E Global Media and National Geographic, plus a Product of the Year Award for its content and metadata exchange service, Rally Connect. The recognition underscores just how far the company has come since those first hallway conversations.

And while the awards illustrate progress, Kaplan sees NAB Show itself as something more: a “proving ground” — a place where ideas are tested, partnerships are forged and the industry’s direction comes into focus.

“It’s a great place for users to shop around … and get a perspective on where the industry is.”

More than a decade after that first conversation on a bench, SDVI has grown into a global leader, shaping the future of cloud-native media supply chains. And NAB Show continues to provide the people, tools and technology that drive media, entertainment and brand storytelling forward.

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About SDVI

SDVI is an Emmy Award-winning supplier of cloud-based media supply chain technology that empowers organizations to optimize content ingest, processing, packaging and distribution operations based in Silicon Valley, Calif., with offices in the United States and Europe.

Learn more by visiting their website: sdvi.com