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How to Attend CinemaCon: The Annual Film Industry Convention

Film conventions attended by movie webmasters and film journalists happen all the time. One recent cinema convention you might have noticed coverage from on movie websites is CinemaCon. Like most noteworthy cinema conventions, the CinemaCon requires registration, has screenings, presentations, industry schmoozing, networking opportunities, social events, and avenues to “get your name out there”.

What is CinemaCon?

CinemaCon

CinemaCon

Summer release and upcoming film-based, the CinemaCom is the

official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners. The convention is targeted at film industry professionals for the purpose of promoting upcoming movies.

Why CinemaCon is important to a movie webmaster

At a convention like this, there is the opportunity to:

1. Make industry connections you could not otherwise make.
2. Get on important mailing lists (movie studio and movie studio public relations firms).
3. See advanced screenings for upcoming, unreleased films.

The CinemaCon tells potential attendees that it is “where you should come” if you work in Cinema Exhibition, Film Distribution, Production, the Equipment or Concession fields, Marketing, Advertising or the burgeoning field of Social Media Networking, design, construction or financing of movie theatres or the exciting world of digital cinema.”

By running, owning, and operating a film website, you are in the movie marketing, advertising, social media networking fields the CinemaCon welcomes. Plus you are a journalist potentially covering the event (more on that below).

Officially what can expect to see and experience at CinemaCon

The CinemaCon schedule will feature

studio presentations and screenings (showcasing exclusive footage for the cinema industry); sponsored food events and the most topical of seminars geared to all facets of the industry. CinemaCon will also feature the largest theatre industry trade show – featuring the latest, most important and innovative technological advances in theatre equipment, and, the newest, most delectable offerings from the concession world—everything you need to satisfy the demanding needs of today’s sophisticated moviegoer. And to conclude the week in grand style, The Coca-Cola Company will be host to the Annual CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards that will see top honors bestowed upon some of today’s most glamorous and talented stars and filmmakers.

And, given the dominant role played by the International Box office today, for those professionals involved in the worldwide cinema industry, CinemaCon is delighted to be holding an International Day of programming …

[Attendees can expect to be] part of exclusive studio presentations and screenings highlighting the upcoming summer slate of releases, catching up on what it takes to outfit and run a state-of-the art motion picture theatre, sitting down and talking with the key executives and decision makers from the nation’s theatres, or, listening to some of today’s top stars and filmmakers.

Who runs CinemaCon?

Nato. No, not that Nato. The other one. The National Association of Theatre Owners. They’re “the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 30,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and additional cinemas in 50 countries worldwide. [Their] membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world and hundreds of independent theatre owners too… NATO helps exhibition influence federal policy-making and work with movie distributors on all areas of mutual concern, from new technologies to legislation, marketing, and First Amendment issues.”

Available CinemaCon attendance Packages

Attendance to the CinemaCon is not free but for  journalists and media representatives (e.g. movie webmasters and their retainers), it may be (more of that below).

CinemaCon Registration Rates

CinemaCon Registration Rates

With the domestic package you get:

all scheduled and sponsored CinemaCon Events—studio presentations and screenings, seminars, trade show, food functions and of course, the Gala Final Night Award Ceremony and Dinner Reception. And as well, if your are attending as a delegate from the International Marketplace, you may find that the International Package is best for you.

There are also:

Trade Show and Seminar Package[s]
Gains admittance to officially scheduled CinemaCon seminars and the Trade Show. Screenings and sponsored food events are not covered.

Trade Show Pass[es]
Gains admittance to the CinemaCon Trade Show ONLY. Screenings, sponsored events and seminars are not covered.

International Package[s]
Geared specifically for those industry professionals in the International Market—Includes ALL scheduled and sponsored CinemaCon events and functions included in the Domestic Package… PLUS all programming and sponsored events associated with International Day.

Organizations purchasing 10 or more International or Domestic packages may contact David Binet at NATO for assistance regarding special packages and group pickups.

Registering for CinemaCon and Confirmation

Registration for the CinemaCon is available online. “Payment must be submitted with registration. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. After [a certain date], all new registrations will be handled on site with the higher, prevailing rates applying. If you are interested in joining NATIONAL NATO to take advantage of the discounted member rates, contact David Binet prior to registering.”

After you register, you will receive confirmation.”Registration confirmation will arrive via email within 24 hours of submitting an online registration. Please be sure to present your email confirmation and a current, valid government picture ID (driver’s license, passport, etc) to pick up your badge and other materials…Your badge should be worn at all times and is required for admission to all events.

If you mail or fax your registration, confirmations will also be distributed via email but will be delayed due to mail and extended processing time. If you do not receive a confirmation email in a timely manner, please notify the Registration Center at [email protected]

Covering CinemaCon as a Member of the Press

Providing coverage of CinemaCon and the films represented there on your website, advantageous for all parties concerned, maybe be a way of attending the CinemaCon without having to buy an attendance package or crashing the convention.

Black Widow The Avengers Hulk

Black Widow The Avengers Hulk

From the CinemaCon website on journalist attendance:

For journalists and media representatives looking to cover CinemaCon 2012, we kindly ask that you complete this Media Application and submit directly to Rogers and Cowan as directed.

I spoke about this here: How to Contact Film Public Relations (PR) Firms but it needs reiterating: do not contact a film PR firm (like the one above) until your site looks professional and it is getting decent hits.

When are the next CinemaCons?

This year’s CinemaCon has already concluded. The next CinemaCons will be held on the following dates:

2012 – April 23rd – 26th
2013 – April 15th – 18th
2014 – March 24th – 27th
2015 – April 20th – 23rd
2016 – April 11th – 14th

Where is CinemaCon held every year?

Las Vegas, Nevada.

Conclusion

If you live in Nevada, a nearby area, and run a film website, “Git-R-Done” – Larry The Cable Guy. Attend the CinemaCon. If you don’t but you have the funding necessary (plane ticket, hotel room cost, etc.) and time to attend, CinemaCon seems well-worth the trip, especially for all you and your site could potentially gain in return.

About the author

Rollo Tomasi

Rollo Tomasi is a Connecticut-based film critic, TV show critic, news, and editorial writer. He will have a MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University in 2025. Rollo has written over 700 film, TV show, short film, Blu-ray, and 4K-Ultra reviews. His reviews are published in IMDb's External Reviews and in Google News. Previously you could find his work at Empire Movies, Blogcritics, and AltFilmGuide. Now you can find his work at FilmBook, ProMovieBlogger, and TrendingAwards.

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