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CASBAA annual convention to move to Macau for first time this year
NEW DELHI: The Cable and Satellite Broadcasters Association of Asia is holding its next convention in Macao later this year for senior executives from across the region and around the world to come together to tackle issues facing the industry.
CASBAA, Asia’s largest non-profit media association serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry, will hold the 22nd annual Convention at Studio City in Macao from 7 to 10 November.
CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter said: “It will be the first time CASBAA has ever held an event in Macau, and we are thrilled to be able to bring the region’s pay-TV industry together to experience all that this exciting enclave has to offer.”
CASBAA Board of Directors Chairman Sompan Charumilinda of True Visions agreed, adding, “The Board has overwhelmingly endorsed the move to Macau as part of the Association’s ongoing efforts to keep our annual Convention fresh and invigorating. We are confident delegates, speakers, and sponsors will find that the new venue and location will both contribute to another excellent CASBAA Convention. Furthermore, Studio City provides us with a bigger footprint for the Convention than we’ve ever experienced, which will offer many advantages for networking functions and private meeting rooms that our delegates are sure to enjoy.”
“The CASBAA Convention has always been a great opportunity for senior executives from across the region and around the world to come together, strategically timed to be the most important industry event in the fourth quarter of the year,” said Co-Board Member Responsible for Convention Todd Miller, who is CEO of Celestial Tiger Entertainment. “This year, by choosing Macau’s Studio City, we’re adding a certain ‘show-biz’ quality to the event.”
Property President of Studio City JD Clayton said, “We’re very delighted to welcome CASBAA to Macau for the very first time. As a Hollywood-inspired and cinematically-themed integrated resort, Studio City is definitely the perfect venue for the CASBAA Convention. We look forward to collaborating with CASBAA to create a successful event this year and to showcase the unrivaled excitement of Studio City, Asia’s Entertainment Capital, to the participating delegates, in addition to our TV studio facility for production-oriented attendees.”
The move is just one of many innovations for the annual industry gathering. “This year, we are making a concerted effort to ensure that all the links in the value chain are present at the Convention,” said Co-Board Member Responsible for Convention Amit Malhotra, VP & GM Studio Entertainment at The Walt Disney Company. “In particular, we’re working together to bring a critical mass of operators from across the region to Macau.”
The CASBAA Convention will feature two full days of conference plenary sessions, keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and social activities. Topics will include best business practices, emerging market trends, technological developments, new programming strategies and offerings, and the broadcast regulatory landscape in the region. In addition, the Convention will also feature CASBAA’s annual Policy Roundtable and Executive Roundtable. Both Roundtable events are invitation-only, closed-door forums, dedicated to in-depth discussions among select groups of industry stakeholders.
“With a host of new market entrants, new business models, and ongoing disruption and technological innovation, the industry is embracing change at a deep level,” said Slaughter. “The Convention will present a wide array of eminent speakers and panelists to explore various aspects of change at this critical juncture in our industry’s history.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
