< PreviousOn behalf of ICTA, let me extend a warm welcome to the exhibition industry’s most anticipated event of the year, CinemaCon 2025! We are so pleased to be part of the event program once again this year, and we think you’ll find our presentations thought- provoking and useful. ICTA’s mission is to “ensure that cinema remains the preferred choice for enjoying filmed entertainment by promoting excellence and investment in cinema technology.” We pursue this goal with a heavy emphasis on information sharing across all of those with a stake in the many cinema technologies that contribute to the operation of your outstanding movie theatres. Over 50 years ago, we began as an organization aimed primarily at U.S.-based equipment manufacturers and dealers, but today our mission has grown beyond just that segment and region. Today, as an international organization, our membership extends beyond the borders of North America, with strong leadership from our international directors and membership from around the world. We encourage exhibitors, consultants, the media, and other interested professionals to check out what we have to offer, and the many benefits of being part of ICTA. When I became president last year, I committed to several key initiatives. First, and foremost, ICTA will continue the focus on the Education & Training begun by my predecessor, past president Frank Tees. Frank and I, along with our excellent content contributors and instructors, launched our “Fundamentals of Presentation Technology” seminar, which has been presented live to almost 800 individuals at many of the industry’s premiere events. Now, it’s available online in partnership with CineTrain at www.cinetrain.com. This course is aimed at non-technical professionals in exhibition, including theatre managers and staff, and those new to the industry. It will become part of a larger Cinema Technology Certification program, which is currently under development. Increasingly, Cinemas depend on many different types of technology, and the integration of the latest technologies is often what defines a successful cinema - one that offers the best possible moviegoing experience and keeps their audiences returning to their location. Our flagship event, the Los Angeles Seminar Series (LASS), brings together experts from all technologies and encourages dialog that propels the industry forward. This year, for the first time ever, due to the tragic wildfires in the Los Angeles area we had to conduct this event as an online, virtual event. To our great surprise, we had outstanding support and attendance, as well as participation from every presenter and sponsor who had committed to the live event, proving that there is strong need for this type of information sharing and confirming our belief in the ICTA mission. As a global organization, we continue to offer programming like this at industry gatherings in Europe and Asia. At CinemaCon this year, we continue the mission, with several events that should be on everyone’s calendar. On Monday is our inaugural “Cinema Systems Summit”, presented in partnership with the InterSociety Digital Cinema Forum and The Cinema Foundation, with support from CinemaCon. This full-day event is intended to be an inter-active, MARK MAYFIELD Chairman of the Board, ICTA Welcome to CinemaCon 2025 (Continued on next page)(Mark Mayfield Continued) discussion driven program focusing on technology-specific topics such as Theatre Management Systems, Point-of-Sale Systems, Technician Support, Network Security, and much more! It’s free and open to all CinemaCon attendees. ICTA will hold its annual Cocktail Reception on Tuesday evening, which is open free of charge to all ICTA members; others are welcome to attend for a fee. Please pre-register on our website at icta-web.com. This year’s program includes what we couldn’t deliver as part of last January’s online virtual LASS – valuable networking and socializing. It also includes as our fourth annual Awards program, with the presentation of the ICTA “Icon” award and the prestigious North American Cinema Awards. On Thursday morning we are offering our annual rise-and-shine technology seminar. This year’s program focuses on what is perhaps the biggest tech story across all industries and even our personal lives – Artificial Intelligence. Panelists and technology providers will discuss ways that they are already using AI in theatre marketing and operations and other ways that AI is reshaping theatrical exhibition. While at CinemaCon, we encourage you to stop by the ICTA booth in Augustus ballroom 2318A to learn more about other new initiatives and programs. See you in Las Vegas!O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N O F T H E A T R E O W O F C A L I F O R N I A / N E V A D A Theatres bring us together.For information, exhibiting & registration naconline.org 312.236.3858 Join the leaders in Entertainment Food and Beverage.A year ago, we were able to announce in this column that the National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) will be re-branding as the Entertainment Food & Beverage Association (EF&B). We are now in the heart of that transition which reflects not only the evolution of our operators but also the immense contributions of our supplier members. What will not change is the vital connection between the theatrical experience and the food and beverage experience. Nowhere is this more evident than in the long-standing alliance between EF&B/NAC and CinemaCon/Cinema United. We are as connected as popcorn and the movies. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the theatrical motion picture business, we are optimistic about the future. All signs are pointing toward a big year at the box office and the concession stand. CinemaCon gives us all a chance to reconvene with the entire industry and take a view from high vantage point. Later this year, EF&B/NAC will convene its own food & beverage focused event. The 2025 Concession & Hospitality Expo will be held on September 16-18 at The Westin San Antonio North. The later date and tighter format are a direct response to the evolving needs of our members. Please visit naconline.org for more information on how you can register, sponsor or participate in the trade show. Another game changing development will happen later this year when our industry standard Certified Concession Manager (CCM) course will be offered on a brand-new on-line education platform. EF&B/ NAC is partnering with CineTRAIN to bring this opportunity for F&B professionals to earn their CCM designation in a format that is more in tune with today’s time and travel commitments. The CCM is just the first of several programs to roll out on the new platform EF&B/NAC will have a full slate of activities here at CinemaCon. On Monday morning we will start the week with some fun and fund raising here is Las Vegas. The EF&B/NAC Charity Golf Outing supports Variety, the Children’s Charity; The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation and EF&B/NAC Educational Programs at the Wolf Course of the Paiute Golf Resort. The event is in its 39th year. From Tuesday through Thursday, EF&B/NAC and its members will be on hand at the CinemaCon Trade Show exhibiting an impressive collection of products, equipment and services. Make time to visit booths, sample offerings and make connections. Our team will be on hand at booth 130J. We would love to introduce you to EF&B/NAC and the benefits of membership! Education is at the core of our mission and we are pleased to offer our annual seminar on Thursday morning. From Screen to Scene: Driving Ticket Sales and Boosting Profits with Collectible Concessions and Merchandise will bring together industry leaders from top theater circuits and novelty companies to share insights on leveraging collectible concessions and merchandise to enhance the customer experience and drive revenue. Discover what strategies are working today and gain expert tips on excelling in the competitive novelty market. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to stay ahead in the theater concession business. ROB NOVAK President Entertainment Food & Beverage Association (EF&B)/ National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) Roll With the Changes(Rob Novak Continued) Live events like CinemaCon and the EF&B/NAC Expo provide wonderful opportunities to meet and learn, but is does not stop there. We are available on a daily basis as a source of education, advocacy, certification and best practices. Please visit our website at naconline.org and follow us on social media at Facebook, LinkedIn and X for all the latest developments. If you are not already a member of EF&B/NAC, join today! We congratulate the CinemaCon team on yet another terrific event.CinemaCon Would Like to Thank the Following Companies for Supplying an Item in the 2025 Goody Bag AICP CORP. AGILE TICKETING SOLUTIONS ALSAC / ST. JUDE BODYARMOR SPORTS NUTRITION THE CINEMA FOUNDATION THE COCA-COLA COMPANY FERRARA CANDY CO. FERRERO GOLDEN LINK INC. HERSHEY COMPANY IMPACT WARHEADS JUST BORN KELLANOVA MARS WRIGLEY MONDELEZ MONSTER ENERGY MORINAGA PERFETTI VAN MELLE PIM BRANDS, INC. READY THEATRE SYSTEMS RICOS PRODUCTS CO., INC ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES TREASURE TREKKERS ENTERTAINMENT UNIVERSAL PICTURESCinemaCon Would Like to Thank Its Exhibition Partners for Supplying Courtesy Crew Staffing to this Year’s Convention CinemaCon Would Like to Thank Christie for Supplying the Use of the Video Wall at this Year’s ConventionNext >