By Michael O’Leary , President and CEO, Cinema United
CinemaCon is many things to many people. It’s a chance to reconnect with old friends and colleagues, an opportunity to see what distribution has on tap for the months ahead, and a chance to gain valuable and practical tips for how to make your business more successful. I am extremely excited about the schedule we have put together for this year’s convention, and although it is a very high bar, our goal is to make this year’s show the best ever.
This year, some major changes will make CinemaCon even stronger. For the first time, we are offering three educational programming tracks focused on audiences and innovation, food and beverage, and technology. The moderators and panelists we have assembled represent the best and brightest in our industry, and I know their insights will be incredibly valuable.
We have a more diverse slate of distributor presentations than ever before, highlighting that our industry succeeds when there is something for everyone to see on the big screen. We are proud to bring Angel, GKIDS, Neon, Row K Entertainment, and StudioCanal to the Colosseum to show off the amazing slate of films they have on the horizon.
As always, participation from the major studios is robust. They understand the value of putting on a great show, and the excitement the industry feels after a great presentation at CinemaCon cannot be overstated.
This year on the trade show floors, hundreds of innovators and technology providers from around the world will showcase the latest and greatest advances in cinema, and we encourage everyone to visit the trade show on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can find out more during the Barco-sponsored cocktail reception and networking kickoff event for attendees and vendors on Monday afternoon.
Also on Monday, I am thrilled to honor Ellis Jacob, Cineplex’s president & CEO, with the Legend of Cinema Award. No one has played a more central role in guiding our industry through challenging times, and his leadership has helped position exhibition for future success. Ellis has been a strong supporter of Cinema United and a valued mentor to me. On behalf of the entire exhibition industry, I want to thank Ellis for everything he has done.
CinemaCon is a chance for us to come together and unite as an industry. As you know, I believe that this industry is strongest when we speak with a single, unified voice. Never has this been more evident: As our industry faces the threat of further studio consolidation, we have been clear from the outset that consolidation has historically resulted in fewer movies, which results in fewer jobs and fewer consumer choices, likely at a higher cost.
Ours is a widespread and diverse community, with differing views and differing perspectives, which is one of our greatest strengths. At the same time, we are united in the belief that there is no better entertainment experience than seeing a movie on the big screen at a local theater. This remains our north star, and if we stay united and work toward solutions that not only support but promote our industry, the future will be bright. CinemaCon is an annual opportunity for us to come together and make clear to the entire industry our commitment to the primacy of the theatrical experience—not just today, but for generations to come.
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