< Previous(Chris Johnson Continued) the coveted escape our guests demand. The days of minimal or deferred investment are over. You can’t survive without constant effort. Seats and projection equipment used to last for decades but now require increased maintenance and replacement cycles, which in turn costs money. Margins have been squeezed for all business, so it isn’t for the faint of heart. But if you are committed, exhibition is worthy of investment. For my friends in distribution, please embrace digital’s flexibility and offer your amazing movies 52 weeks of the year to every exhibitor without limit. Eliminate “print” counts, and trust exhibitors to make programming and scheduling decisions that yield the best results for all. Don’t restrict “sneaks” by focusing on a few theatres. Local cinema marketing can be incredibly impactful and cost-effective. We are life partners, and as I said before, we are better together. So let’s both lean into what makes us special, trust one another, and make the entire ecosystem more successful. The end result is more movies from more filmmakers played in more theatres, creating more memories and, yes, more money for all. Scan the QR code Stop by Booth 326J in the Julius Ballroom to find out moreGiveyouraudienceacinematichighframerateexperience ofthemostincredibletheatricalformatever. ©2024Pixelworks.TruecutMotionlogoisaregisteredtrademarkPixelworksInc. truecutmotion.com PREMIUM CINEMA DESERVES PREMIUM MOTION(Continued on next page) As CinemaCon 2024 takes center stage, the Independent Theatre Owners Coalition (ITOC) is excited to welcome the global community of movie theatre owners, operators, and industry leaders to the world’s premier gathering dedicated to celebrating the magic of the moviegoing experience. This year, the spotlight shines brightly on independent exhibitors with NATO’s renewed commitment to ITOC’s mission to champion this important community, ranging from Main Street and drive-in cinemas to nonprofits and arthouses. Every year, the first CinemaCon event for independents is the ITOC pre-convention gathering that sets the stage for a week of insightful discussions, learning, and networking that engages the entire motion picture industry. I want to extend my gratitude to the amazing CinemaCon team, whose efforts have made it possible for our event to return to Caesars Palace in 2024. This year’s ITOC gathering is designed to give members actionable insights to bring back to their theatres and communities. Highlights include an industry data presentation, a panel on securing capital for growth, and strategies for leveraging community engagement to boost revenue. We are especially grateful to NATO President & CEO Michael O’Leary and Paramount’s President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution, Chris Aronson, for providing their insights on the future of cinema distribution and strategies for independents in a transforming industry landscape. CinemaCon will also serve as a platform to celebrate the contributions of exceptional NATO volunteers, with Chris Johnson of Classic Cinemas receiving this year’s Marquee Award—a well-deserved honor for his unparalleled commitment to the cinema industry. Much like how exhibitors enrich communities, NATO is shaped by incredible volunteers like Chris, spanning from major circuits to Main Street cinemas. Independents serve as the foundation of that volunteer spirit. With nearly 90 percent of NATO’s membership comprising of independents with fewer than 75 screens, their substantial presence highlights the crucial role they play within the association and our industry. Independents, however, come in all different forms and sizes. Recognizing this diversity in scale and scope, ITOC has expanded its membership to include independent owners and operators beyond the 75-screen mark, fostering wider conversations and strengthening our collective efforts. Representing such a diverse and vibrant sector of the cinema industry, ITOC’s mission has always been to advocate for the interests of independent theatre owners and operators across North America. Under ITOC’s new rebranded direction as a coalition, we are focused on creating a more dynamic, interconnected, and supportive independent community better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities in today’s rapidly evolving entertainment and cinema landscape. A significant milestone in our advocacy efforts was our recent series of meetings with leading studios. For the first time in more than five years, ITOC sat down with the heads of theatrical distribution and their marketing and sales teams for constructive discussions that will foster collaboration on pro-growth policies that drive innovation, build communities, and enhance the moviegoing experience. COLLEEN BARSTOW ACX Cinemas Chair, Independent Theatre Owners Coalition (ITOC) CinemaCon 2024: Empowering Independents and Shaping the Future of Cinema(Colleen Barstow Continued) As ITOC embarks on this new path of strategic advocacy and initiatives, we invite you to join us in reinforcing the vital role independent cinemas play in culturally and economically enriching communities throughout the world. Together, we will continue to champion the importance of independent cinemas to the motion picture industry. Once again and on behalf of my fellow ITOC leaders, Joe Masher, Randy Hester, Paul Gunsky, and Emelyn Stuart, welcome to CinemaCon 2024—let’s shape the future of cinema together. UPCOMING FILMS & ADDED ATTRACTIONS PREVIEW CHANNEL 109 (CAESARS PALACE) TUNE IN & WATCH TODAY!Greetings Friends and Colleagues, I am thrilled to see everyone at this year’s show. We’ve had an exceptional year, and I am eager to share our progress with you. Our efforts to educate the industry about the uniqueness of cinema technology have made significant strides. Celebrations of iconic individuals and our finest theaters have become integral parts of our annual event calendar. We are convening a special reception to discuss both the present and future of cinema. I encourage you to explore the trade show floors and visit the exhibiting ICTA member companies to discover their latest products, services, and innovations. Read on for an overview of our activities at the ICTA. The ICTA has been actively engaged in various new and reimagined initiatives promoting moviegoing and the technology we champion throughout the year. In 2023, we introduced an educational session at CinemaCon titled “The Fundamentals of Presentation Technology.” This seminar, designed for individuals without a technological background, covers essential topics such as image and media, audio and acoustics, and networks and maintenance in cinema. Executives, operations staff at theater levels, and seasoned technicians can enhance their understanding of the entire cinema technology ecosystem through this session. The session, along with expert educators, has been traveling across the country, attending regional trade shows, and presenting this information to diverse audiences, with more dates scheduled for 2024. In January of this year, we hosted our Los Angeles Seminar Series (LASS) with record attendance. Following a welcome keynote from Michael O’Leary, President of NATO, the event featured discussions on AI in Cinema, Esports, Direct View Screens, Sustainability in Cinemas, and an expanded discussion on Room Audio Measurement tools and methods. Our member and customer voices were heard at the popular dealer and exhibitor roundtables. Over the past few years, we have been recognizing numerous individuals and organizations at the LASS for their contributions to our industry and the cinema experience. We were honored to present the ICON award to Tom Holman from THX for his remarkable contributions to enhancing the audio experience and standards in cinemas worldwide. The third annual North American Cinema Awards recognized outstanding theaters that elevate the cinema experience with diverse and engaging offerings. We presented NACA awards to: • Best New Cinema Build: Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas Inglewood IMAX located in Hollywood Park, CA • Best Cinema Refurbishment: B&B Theaters Creve Coeur West Olive 10 located in Creve Coeur, MO • Best Use of New Technology in a Cinema: Emagine Batavia located in Batavia, IL Additionally, the judges awarded a special ICTA Jury Award to FatCats, a Utah-based “All Out Fun” entertainment center, in recognition of their innovation, vision, and use of technical advancements to enhance the family entertainment center experience with a focus on community service. Keep an eye out for articles by Celluloid Junkie highlighting the winners and their journey to these awards. Stay tuned for outstanding cinemas. Nominations will soon open for the 2025 awards, promising to be even grander than before! FRANK TEES President, ICTA Vice President, Moving iMage Technologies Welcome to CinemaCon 2024 (Continued on next page)(Frank Tees Continued) Nominations are in for the ICTA Presentation Excellence awards for our European membership, to be presented next week at Kino 2024 in Baden-Baden. Please visit our LinkedIn page to congratulate the winners! 2024 is filled with exciting inaugural ICTA activities. At the EDCF Annual conference in Amsterdam, we launched the new Cinema Technology Mentoring Program, aimed at fostering skill development and career guidance for individuals at the starting or mid- level stages of their cinema technology careers. At CinemaCon this year, members of the EDCF, ISDCF, ICTA, and Cinema Foundation Center for Innovation and Technology will gather at Caesars Palace on Tuesday evening in the Emperors Ballroom for the first “TechTalk and Cinematic Cheer,” followed by a reception with drinks and snacks. We plan to hold this gathering annually to facilitate open dialogue among our respective organizations on the present and future of digital cinema, as well as to enjoy a bit of Cinematic Cheer! After an amazing summer convention in Los Angeles in 2023, we are returning to sunny Southern California for 2024. Join us in July for our convention in Newport Beach at the Marriott Bayview. Our schedule of events is filling up fast. Visit our website for updated information: www.icta-web-com. While you’re there, consider joining the ICTA and becoming an integral part of shaping the future of technology in cinema.CinemaCon Would Like to Thank the Following Companies for Supplying an Item in the 2024 Goody Bag AICP AGILE TICKETING SOLUTIONS BALL PACKAGING, LLC BODYARMOR CANDY DYNAMICS CINETRAIN THE COCA-COLA COMPANY FERRARA CANDY COMPANY FERRERO GOLDEN LINK INC. HARIBO THE HERSHEY COMPANY JUST BORN MARS WRIGLEY MONDELEZ MONSTER ENERGY COMPANY PARAMOUNT PICTURES PERFETTI VAN MELLE PIM BRANDS, INC. RAWHIDE PICTURES READY THEATRE SYSTEMS RCM MEDIA RICOS PRODUCTS CO., INC ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL TOOTSIE ROLL UNIVERSAL PICTURESNext >