AAN To Host Hospitality Suite on March 8, 2:30-5:30 PM.

On Wednesday, March 8, AAN will once again host a hospitality suite at ShoWest, the annual convention of the movie theatre industry. The single largest international gathering of motion picture professionals in the world, ShoWest attracts delegates from more than 30 different countries.

This year’s convention takes place at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas on March 6-9; the AAN function will be held on Wednesday afternoon, March 8, following a high-profile luncheon.

Last year, approximately 35 AAN members from 20 papers attended the ShoWest convention. More than 100 guests visited the AAN suite.

Debra Silvestrin, AAN Director of Operations and Special Projects, says that the AAN function, which has been held since 1995, has become a popular destination for movie industry execs. “We have established a tradition with our massage therapists, who do one-minute chair massages. They are always a big hit, and the line is continuous throughout the three hours.”

AAN members who attend ShoWest tend to be staff from big papers that are stuffed with movie ads; however, small papers can benefit as well. Boise Weekly Publisher Larry Ragan says that the connections he made last year at ShoWest have proven extremely beneficial. For instance, he met representatives of film marketing firm Terry Hines & Associates, who have since given his paper the opportunity to host national film release premieres in Boise. “They gave us the chance, rather than the daily. We were just really pleased that they saw the advantages to marketing with us.”