The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has selected trade show industry veteran Karen Chupka to succeed Chris Brown as the association’s managing director and executive vice president of global connections and events, effective Jan. 1. After 25 years of service to the organization, Brown announced in July that he is transitioning out of NAB following the 2024 NAB Show, which is set for April 14-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Chupka comes to NAB following 33 years of leadership experience with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), including as executive vice president of Consumer Electronic Show (CES) and chief strategy officer. She departed the association in the fall of 2022 to launch her own consulting practice focused on marketing, strategic planning and events, and most recently worked with Money20/20 USA, one of the world’s largest global fintech insights and networking events for the global money ecosystem.

In her new role at NAB, Chupka will set the strategy, manage the business and motivate the teams that produce NAB Show, NAB Show New York and NAB Amplify, an online community of innovators and content creators.

“The future of NAB Show is bright with Karen at the helm, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the NAB team,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO of NAB, an association for U.S. broadcasters that works to advance radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs.  

He continued, “With her long track record of exemplary leadership managing and growing one of the largest trade shows in the world, NAB Show exhibitors and attendees will be well-served by her unparalleled expertise and experience. As the NAB Show continues to grow, we look forward to the extraordinary experiences Karen and her team will create for our community.”

LeGeyt also thanked Chris Brown for his more than two decades of service to NAB. In August, Brown was a guest on the Trade Show Talk podcast, where he talked about driving innovation and growth at NAB, as well as his upcoming departure from the association (listen to the podcast here).

“His leadership has been critical to the growth and success of NAB Show,” LeGeyt  said. “I am grateful for his many years of dedicated service and his role in shepherding a smooth transition.”

Chupka expressed her excitement about stepping into her new role.

“I am excited to…work alongside the incredible team at NAB to produce the premier trade show serving the media and entertainment industry,” she said. “NAB Show is a widely respected and unrivaled marketplace of innovative products, services and ideas that are driving the future of the media industry. I look forward to leveraging our collective expertise and passion to continue to provide a remarkable experience for our exhibitors, attendees and partners.”

In 2022, Chupka was honored with the TSNN Industry Icon Award for her work producing the CES and her contributions to the trade show industry.