Conventions

Jan. 23-25, 2012. Always about TV and broadcasting, NATPE now positions itself as “The global marketplace for a digital world”.  NATPE is committed to being the destination for TV programming buyers and sellers.  Evolving to meet the demands of a changing media landscape, NATPE delivers a first look at fresh content before MIP and the LA Screenings, “giving industry leaders a jump-start on monetizing their projects”.  Now a major international attraction, NATPE tells us it is a catalyst in the content revolution, providing education, networking, professional enhancement and technological guidance through year-round activities.  What drives all this?  As a great French philosopher never said, “I am on television, therefore I am”.

Jan. 17-19, 2012. INTIX is the International Ticketing Association, and the INTIX annual conference is designed for anyone directly or indirectly involved in ticketing the arts, professional sports, college athletics, arenas, fairs and festivals, ticket distribution, and entertainment management.  The show attracts vice presidents, directors, managers and other senior level executives representing the broadest range of those working in ticket sales and operations, marketing, technology, finance, revenue management, and customer service.  Understanding, selecting and implementing the latest technology to streamline processes and facilitate communication with customers is a priority. This includes learning how to convert and clean data, train staff on technology, use a database to its fullest extent, and execute paperless and mobile ticketing.  Just the ticket, in fact…

Jan. 6-10, 2012. APAP is the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and this trade show is the “Nexus for performing arts presenting worldwide”.  Wanna tread the boards, or make your breakthrough on the Great White Way?  You could be one of  the recipients of the 2012 Young Performers Career Advancement Program (YPCA) awards.  You could also be the proud owner of an enhanced artist profile in the Artist Roster, providing “an opportunity to better communicate and understand the artist’s unique vision”. Intriguingly, aspiring thespians were also invited at the show to promote themselves through an online avatar, which begs the question “Why be extraordinary when you can be yourself?”.  Hmmm…  So audiences are going to go nuts for tickets to watch a bunch of ordinary people being themselves?  You can get that for free down at the bus station…

Oct. 25-27, 2011. Consumer choice in video options has grown to include multiple pay-TV options, time shifting, video on demand, internet and mobile video.  This means the competitive picture for telecom service providers has become much more complex. Yet video continues to be the cornerstone of a multiservice entertainment bundle.  TelcoTV 2011 provided a forum for frank discussion of these challenges and the current video services market. Among the topics explored were: Among the topics to be explored are: Exploring cost-effective content acquisition strategies, Adding information services/widgets to your video service and The role of home networking and customer support as a commercial play.  It’s all coming to a flat screen near you.