General Information | Panel & Program Proposals |  Best Practices for Submitting and Presenting Panels | Past Programs & Future Dates
Convention Registration | NAB Show Access  |  Presenting in Las Vegas  | Convention App |

 

General Information

Q. When and where is BEA2027?
BEA2027 takes place April 2–6, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is co-located with NAB Show.

Q. What kind of programming will BEA2027 offer?
BEA2027 will feature more than 250 sessions covering media pedagogy, collaborative networking, hands-on technology workshops, research and creative scholarship, and the Festival of Media Arts.

Programming includes panel and research presentation sessions, workshops, technical demonstrations, showcases, competitive research sessions and other special events.

Q. Is BEA2027 in person or virtual?
BEA2027 is an in-person convention with limited virtual participation opportunities for presenters and attendees. Unless a specific program or opportunity is designated as virtual, participants should plan to attend and present in Las Vegas.

Q. Do I need to register for the convention?
Yes. All attendees—including speakers, panelists, moderators, respondents, award winners and paper presenters—must register for the convention.

Q. Do I need to be a BEA member to attend?
No. BEA membership is not required to attend the convention. However, current individual BEA members receive discounted convention registration rates.

Institutional membership does not qualify individual faculty or staff members for the discounted individual member registration rate.

Q. I have special needs for navigating or participating in the convention. Who should I contact?
If you or your panelists/co-authors require disability accommodations, please include those requirements on the online submission form by the applicable submission deadline. For additional assistance, email Help@BEAweb.org.

Q. How do I REGISTER for the convention? All attendees (this includes speakers, panelists, award winners, paper presenters, etc.) MUST be registered to attend #BEAvegas.  Since BEA and NAB have reciprocal registration policies, if you are registered for a NAB Show premium conference pass, you do not need to register for BEA’s convention.

Q. What kind of HOUSING options do I have? NAB Housing will assist you with accommodations for the convention.  Housing has secured specially-negotiated hotel rates for our attendees and is ready to assist you with making your reservations.  The closest hotels are the Westgate, SpringHill Suites Las Vegas Convention Center and the Las Vegas Marriott.  Please click here to access NAB’s housing site.

Q. Can my spouse accompany me at the convention? Yes!  Registered spouses are welcome to all #BEAvegas sessions and other special events.  Spouses cannot be involved in the industry, and must be accompanied by full conference registration and includes the same access.

Q. Where can I find more information regarding a specific panel, paper competition, digital poster session, interest division meeting, or Festival event? At our convention program announced early in the new year.  Sessions, panels, competitions, meetings and ceremonies can be searched by title, presenter name, or by BEA interest division.

Q. I have special needs for navigating the convention.  Who can I reach out to for assistance? The deadline for requests should be a minimum of one month prior to the conference to provide enough lead-time for planning of services. The conference can guarantee services only for those registered by the deadline. For late registrants, services may be difficult to obtain on short notice. Please email help@BEAweb.org.

Q. What can I attend at the NAB Show? BEA2026 is a part of the NAB Show and follows all their show policies. BEA Registration is the same as the NAB Show Premium Conference Registration. Click Here to see all you have access to. For additional information on NAB Show policies visit: https://www.nabshow.com/show-policy/

BEA2027 Panel & Program Proposals

Q. When is the deadline to submit a panel or program proposal?
Completed BEA2027 panel and program proposals must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. local time on September 15, 2026.

Q. Who can submit a panel or program proposal?
BEA invites media-related panel and program proposals from academics, students and professionals.

Q. What types of sessions can I propose?
Programming opportunities include:

• Panel/Research Presentation Sessions: Standard Interest Division-sponsored sessions featuring a moderator, three to four presenters and, if desired, a respondent.
• Workshops: Specialized training and professional development.
• Technical Demonstrations: Demonstrations of communication technology, equipment or software, including faculty perspectives on classroom or lab applications.
• Showcases: Sessions highlighting student work in which faculty have been involved. These sessions should emphasize showing the work rather than simply discussing it.
• Alternative Formats: BEA welcomes innovative program ideas such as off-site tours or technical training. Contact Help@BEAweb.org to discuss an alternative format.

All sessions are one hour in length.

Q. How are panel proposals selected?
BEA Interest Division leaders review, evaluate and rank proposals before forwarding recommendations to the convention planning team. Program space is competitive, and priority is given to strong proposals, including panels supported by more than one Interest Division.

Q. Can my panel be co-sponsored by multiple Interest Divisions?
Yes. Programs may have one primary Interest Division and up to one additional Interest Division co-sponsor. No more than two Interest Divisions will be listed as sponsors of a session.

Q. How many panels can I participate in?
BEA asks participants to limit the number of appearances they make during the convention:

1. An individual may make up to two appearances as a panelist.
2. A person may make additional appearances as a moderator or respondent.
3. A person may make unlimited appearances as a presenter of competitive papers, Research-in-Progress, creative productions or other competitive sessions.

BEA also encourages organizers to invite new voices, including both faculty and industry professionals.

Q. I’m looking for panelists—or I’m looking for a panel to join. What should I do?
BEA encourages members to use the BEA Panel Seeking Panels & Panelists Board on Facebook. Organizers can post panel ideas and recruit participants, while prospective panelists can share their areas of expertise.

BEA’s Best Practices for Convention Program Submissions

Strengthen your session. Please make every effort to build a well-rounded panel that brings together relevant expertise, experience, and perspectives. Sessions that include participants from a variety of schools, organizations, professional backgrounds, and areas of specialization can create more engaging conversations and provide greater value to attendees. Don’t forget to utilize our “Seeking” board on Facebook if you are looking for a panel to join or a panelist to recruit. You can also reach out to Interest Division leadership, the Convention Program Chair, the BEA Board of Directors, or staff for suggestions.

No repeats. If you have a topic or session that lends itself to a multi-year convention appearance, consider changing it up each year.  Introduce new speakers, a different focus, and specify issues unique to the topic in the current year.

Include industry professionals. Getting the input of industry professionals always seems to score points with your audience.  Whether your session is based on theory or creative scholarship, take advantage of BEA’s co-location with the NAB Show and invite industry professionals to have a seat on your panel.  If you need suggestions email interest division leadership, BEA staff of board members for ideas and contacts.

BEA’s Research Submission FAQs

Q. When is the BEA2027 paper submission deadline?
The deadline to submit papers for BEA2027 is December 1, 2026.

Q. Who can submit a research paper?
BEA accepts original, unpublished media-related research papers from academics, students and professionals.

Q. Do I need to be a BEA member to enter a paper competition?
No. You do not need to be a current BEA member to enter a paper competition. However, at least one author of an accepted competitive paper must attend the convention, register and present the paper.

Q. When will accepted paper authors be notified?
Winners will be notified by late January 2027.

Q. Can I submit my paper to multiple BEA Interest Divisions?
No. The same paper cannot be submitted to multiple divisions. You may submit only one paper per division.

Q. Can I submit a dissertation?
No. BEA does not accept dissertations in its paper competitions.

Q. Can my paper be under review somewhere else?
No. Submissions must not currently be under review for another convention, conference or publication.

Q. Can I submit research I’ve already presented?
Papers should not have previously been presented at other conventions or conferences, with the exception of BEA’s On-Location conference.

Q. Can I submit published research?
No. Research submitted to BEA should not have been published in print or online before the convention.

Q. Is the paper competition blind reviewed?
Yes. Papers must be prepared for blind review. Do not include a cover page containing author or contact information, and remove all identifying author information from the paper itself. Submissions containing identifying information will be disqualified from review.

Q. Is there a paper length requirement?
Yes. Papers may not exceed 30 double-spaced pages, including references and tables. APA style or another style appropriate to the discipline is expected.

Q. Can I edit my paper after submitting it?
Yes. Papers may be edited and/or resubmitted until the submission deadline.

Q. What are the Debut and Open paper categories?
The Debut category is for individuals who have never previously presented a paper at a BEA convention. First- and second-place Debut winners receive $200 and $100, respectively, to help defray convention costs.

The Open category is for individuals who have previously presented a paper at BEA. Most Interest Divisions award first- and second-place Open winners $200 and $100, respectively.

Regardless of the number of authors, one check is issued to the individual who submitted the paper. Checks are issued after the convention only to individuals who present their papers in person.

 

 Convention Registration

Q. When does BEA2027 registration open?
BEA’s registration site is scheduled to open in mid-November 2026.

Q. Do presenters and panelists have to register?
Yes. All panel and program participants must register for the convention. For multiple-author competitive papers, at least one author must register, attend and present the paper.

Q. Does institutional membership qualify me for the discounted member registration rate?
No. The discounted member rate applies only to current individual BEA members.

Q. I am a student member. Do I still have to register?
Yes. Student members must register for the convention.

Q. How do I register if my university/company pays by check?
Complete the online registration process and select the option to pay by check. Registration will be activated once BEA receives payment.

Q. What if my university/company needs a completed W-9?
Contact BEA at 202-602-0586 or Help@BEAweb.org.

Q. What comes with my BEA Registration? Access to all the #BEAvegas 71st Annual Convention Sessions & Exhibition along with other special events. Access to Add-On/Ticketed Items are not included.  Registration also includes sessions included in 2026 NAB Show Premium Conference Pass but does NOT include access to sessions in Post|Production World, P|PW Certification Prep Classes, Field Workshops, or Ticketed Events. NAB meal events such as breakfasts and lunches are not included.  Registration also includes the Career Fair / Graduate School Showcase.

Q. How much does it cost to register for the #BEAvegas Annual Convention?
We have rates for BEA members and non-members.  You can renew (or join) during the convention registration process.  Click here for the registration rates.

Q. Do I have to be a BEA member to attend the convention? No, you do not have to become a member of BEA to attend the convention however we hope you decide that a BEA individual membership is valuable to you.  BEA is the professional association for professors, industry professionals and students who are interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises and members of BEA pay considerably less to attend the convention than non-members.  You can renew/join BEA individual membership and register for the annual convention all at once.  Please visit the BEA Membership webpage for detailed information.

Q: How do I get my credentials?
Credentials will not be mailed and MUST be picked up at on-site Registration.  Please be sure to bring a copy of your registration confirmation with a valid photo ID.   You can pick up your badge, program and other materials onsite at the BEA registration area located in the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall. BEA will keep registration open on Friday until 7:00 pm. All other days registration is the same as NAB Show’s hours.

Q. What if my university/company needs a completed W-9 Form? Contact BEA directly at 202-602-0586 or Help@BEAweb.org in order to receive a completed W-9 form.

Q. What is your refund policy? To receive a refund, cancellation must be received in writing to Help@BEAweb.org before the beginning of the convention.  If the in-person convention is canceled due to health concerns, all registrations will be converted to virtual registrations unless a refund is requested.

 

Presenting/Participating

In-Person Presentation

Q. I am presenting a paper or participating on a panel. Do I still have to register?
Yes. All designated presenters, panelists, moderators and respondents must register for the BEA convention.

For multiple-author competitive papers, at least one author must register, attend and present the paper.

Q. Can I participate virtually?
BEA2027 is primarily an in-person convention with limited virtual participation opportunities. Do not plan to bring panelists into an in-person session via Zoom. General Wi-Fi in the LVCC West Hall is not sufficiently reliable for streaming remote panel participants.

Q. I am presenting my first paper. Do you have any advice?
Prepare a presentation rather than simply reading your paper. Include a clear introduction and conclusion, organize your presentation so attendees can easily follow your argument, and stay within your allotted time. Summarize the most important elements of your research rather than attempting to cover every detail.

Q. I am a panel or paper presentation moderator. What are some best practices?
Sessions are one hour, so time management is essential.

• If panelists have presentations, collect them in advance and consider running everything from one computer.
• Use the time between sessions to get organized and test presentations.
• Keep introductions brief. Speaker biographies can be included in participant profiles in the convention program.
• Introduce the full panel at the beginning rather than giving lengthy introductions before each speaker.
• For a typical four-person panel, approximately 10–12 minutes per speaker leaves time for audience questions and discussion.

Q. What AV will be available for my session?
Session rooms have projectors, panel microphones, screens and laptops. Additional AV needs should be communicated to BEA by January 31.

Because general Wi-Fi in the LVCC West Hall can be inconsistent, presenters should not rely on internet connectivity for presentations, streaming video or remote panelists.

Q. I am presenting a Digital Poster, are their specific guidelines? We have step-by-step guidelines for creating your poster!

At the Convention

Q. What Should I wear? In addition to your professional materials, you might want to know that the dress at the convention is business casual for presenters.  If you are not presenting, you can be more casual. The most important thing…..wear comfortable shoes!   Also, be sure to check the weather forecast in Las Vegas online before you leave.

Q. How should I organize my time at the convention?

Start by identifying when and where you are scheduled to present. Then review convention-wide events, panels, research presentations, workshops and other programs that match your interests.

Make time for networking opportunities, the Career Fair / Graduate School Showcase, Festival of Media Arts programming and BEA social events. BEA’s co-location with NAB Show also provides opportunities to explore industry programming and technology. Things to think about:

• • With over 250 scheduled sessions and meetings (and that’s just for #BEAvegas), you have many choices.  Your first priority is to know when you are scheduled to present.  The schedule will be posted by late January.
  • Review all the events of the convention.  These are spotlighted or convention-wide programs that will appeal to a large cross-section of convention attendees.  These are great networking and educational opportunities.
  • Choose the presentations you would like to attend.  These choices can be based on topic of interest to you, friends or faculty who are presenting, or even presenters you would like to meet (a presentation provides a great opportunity to begin a conversation with them.  Many presenters will also have papers you might like to receive.
  •  Choose the division meetings you would like to attend. Meetings are all held virtually and are open for any BEA member to attend.  If you are interested in these meetings, you can become an active participant in these meetings, which is the perfect way to experience BEA membership, as well as a valuable opportunity to meet people and create professional relationships.
  • Remember the Career Fair / Graduate School Showcase events and sessions, plan accordingly if you would like to attend.
  • Don’t forget to save some time for fun!  BEA offers several social events as part of the overall convention experience. On each night we hold a reception of some type. Over 250 people typically attend the receptions, making it a good place to meet with friends and make new ones. Check the schedule for times and dates.
  • Have fun outside the convention as well!  Set aside some time to explore the conference location.  Many attractions, regional cuisine (you might want to schedule some time to eat), historical tours, shopping, and other events.

Convention App

 

QUICK GUIDE – Know Before you go

Q. When and where is #BEAvegas’s Annual Convention?
BEA2027 takes place April 2–6, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada. BEA’s annual convention is co-located with NAB Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Q. What is the BEA2027 Convention Spotlight?
The BEA2027 Convention Spotlight is The AI Effect. BEA’s three-year exploration of artificial intelligence continues with The AI Effect, following An AI Society in 2026 and leading to AI Futures in 2028.

The AI Effect explores how artificial intelligence is affecting media and the people who teach, study, create, regulate and consume it. Programming may examine AI’s effects on media content, production, audiences, education, technology, policy, careers and society, as well as the opportunities, challenges and consequences associated with AI’s expanding role.

Q. Is there Wi-Fi or internet access at #BEAvegas?
There is general Wi-Fi in the LVCC, but because of the volume of attendees, it is not always reliable. Presenters should not plan to stream videos or use Zoom to bring remote participants into sessions.

Q. What type of AV is available in session rooms?
Session rooms have projectors, panel microphones, screens and laptops. If you have additional AV requirements, such as handheld or lavalier microphones, please contact BEA by January 31.

Q. Where can I find information about a specific panel, paper competition, digital poster session, Interest Division meeting or Festival event?
The BEA2027 convention program will have everything you need to know. Once available, sessions, panels, competitions, meetings and ceremonies can be searched by title, presenter name or BEA Interest Division.

Q. Where can I pick up my badge onsite?
BEA credentials are not mailed and must be picked up onsite. Additional BEA2027 registration locations and hours will be announced as the convention approaches.

Q. How do I get around Las Vegas and the LVCC?
Attendees have several transportation options, including hotel shuttle buses, the Las Vegas Monorail, taxis and rideshare services. The Las Vegas Loop also provides transportation between areas of the LVCC.

Q. What should I wear?
Business casual is appropriate for presenters. Other attendees may dress more casually. Most importantly, wear comfortable shoes—the Las Vegas Convention Center is large and you will do a lot of walking.

Q. Where do I get my #BEAvegas bag and program?
These can be picked up (with some BEA swag) at the BEA info desk located on the LVCC West Hall, 3rd floor.

Q. How do I get around Las Vegas and the LVCC?
There are lots of options.  Shuttle buses from hotels, the monorail, Ubers and taxis…. Interested in getting to different parts of the LVCC and preserving your tired feet?  Use The Las Vegas Loop!  It’s free for attendees navigating the entire LVCC.

Q. I’m creating a digital poster for Scholar-to-Scholar or Research-in-Progress, what are the guidelines to create one?
Click here to see the guidelines for creating your digital poster.  Staff will be onsite helping you post your poster on the monitors in the exhibit hall.

Q. I’m a Festival of Media Arts winner.  When do I receive my certificate?  
Faculty certificates will be handed out at Faculty Showcase sessions and students will receive theirs at the Student Festival awards ceremony on Monday morning.