CinemaCon 2013

Celebrating the Movie Goers Experience...

By: The Blonde and The Brunette

Photos By: Robin Roth

Held on April 15-18, 2013 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the third annual CinemaCon, the Official convention of NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners) took place. Attendees represent more than 30,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and additional cinemas in 50 countries worldwide. NATO membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world and hundreds of independent theatre owners too.

The convention started in 2011 and is now the largest and most important annual gathering of the worldwide motion picture theatre industry. Every aspect of the industry was offered to cinema owners and operators from around the world.

Recognizing the importance of the International market place, the convention started with CinemaCon's International Day. There was representation from over 45 countries.

The CinemaCon schedule included studio presentations and screenings showcasing exclusive footage for the cinema industry.

Look for some of the greatest films ever released coming out this summer and fall. For example:

Warner Brothers is releasing: The Great Gatsby, Transcendents and Star Trek into Darkness. All three of these films look tremendous.

The stars from Star Trek into Darkness, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Alice Eve, and John Cho, were quite excited and filled with great anticipation for the release of this new adventure film. They spoke in great length to the press about this thrilling and amazing film directed by J.J. Abrams.

The Blonde: OMG how gorgeous is Chris Pine. Too bad I didn't have the chance to flirt behind the camera. I think he is simply divine!

The Brunette: Oh PA-LEASE! You really think you had ANY chance with him especially with Alice Eve standing there.

The Blonde: Well, ya never know. I wish I had the opportunity though!

The Brunette: Better for your sake that you didn't. You would have left saying OUCH!! You would have had a better chance with the 75 year old popcorn vendor.

The BLONDE: DOOUBLE OUCH BRUNETTE!

Moving right along...

Disney Films: will be releasing The Lone Ranger, Iron Man 3 and the Monsters University. Looks like a blast at the movies. A Bucket of Popcorn is most definitely needed here!

Summit Entertainment a Lionsgate company: will be releasing, Ender's Game and The Hunger Games Catching Fire. How amazing do these films look? Lots of candy needed to watch these two blockbusters.

Paramount Pictures: is releasing Jack Ryan. We are dying to see this one as well.

20th Century Fox:releases Heat and The Internship. Can hardly wait!

Sony: is coming out with Battle of the Year and Elysium.

So DO expect lots of entertainment and fun this year in theaters near you!

The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers foundation: sponsored a huge gala on April 17, at CinemaCon in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The 2013 Pioneer of the Year Award this year honored Kathleen Kennedy. Ms. Kennedy is President of Lucasfilm and Vice President of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Hosting the evening with style and sophistication was the talented actor/director Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The Oscar winner and brilliant actor Sally Field (everyone knows her!) presented the award to Kathleen. The Pioneer of the year award recognizes leaders, their accomplishments and philanthropic contributions of those in the film industry. The proceeds from this important event were given to the Motion Pictures Pioneer Assistance Fund. Oh what a night it was...

On April 18, The Driving Financial Success: Women + Movies= Bigger Box Office had a final day luncheon with a much esteemed panel. On the dais was actress Geena Davis (Founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media), Paul Feig (Director of The Heat and Bridesmaids), Nina Jacobson (Producer of The Hunger Games), Amy Miles (CEO of Regal Entertainment) and Vanessa Morrison (President of Fox Animation Studios). The panel was very animated and the discussion was quite intriguing and informative.

The sponsored food events and most topical seminars were geared to all facets of the industry.

This very busy and successful week ended with The Coca-Cola Company hosting the Annual CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards, which deserves an article unto itself. SO we wrote it! Look for that article as well readers...

The Blonde and Brunette always enjoy attending CinemaCon. We saw the latest, most important and innovative technological advances in theatre equipment, as well as the newest, most delectable offerings from the concession world-everything you need to satisfy the demanding needs of today's sophisticated moviegoer. Here are some of the highlights and some of our favorite exhibitors in the industry.

The TRADE SHOW: at CinemaCon was fabulous and somehow seems to get better and better each year, if that's possible. It's quite fascinating and exhilarating to see ahead of time, all of the latest theater technologies such as theatre projection equipment to the newest state of the art Sound systems. Also on display, were computer software programs for ticketing and concession! There were exhibitors showing the newest 3-D technology from the 3-D glasses to the screens. We are ecstatic about the ultra comfortable and lavish new luxury reclining seats that you should look for in theaters near you. What a difference it is to sit in a theater, with a huge movie screen, in a reclining position. It's even better than the comforts of home. Do bring your own pillow and blanket!!! The Blonde and The Brunette are also, excited about all of the latest concession foods. You cannot believe what they are coming out with! They are updating and offering theater candy, beverages, different types of popcorn, foods and arcade video games... etc. etc. We so look forward to that coming soon as well.  .

1.    Mars Chocolate - Terry Gunter told us about the new Bites candies such as Milky Way and Snickers...

2.    Hershey's - Donald W. Lear

3.    RICOS - Dena DeMarco introduced the Pickles and Jalapenos treats

4.    Eric  showed us the new Kernal Season's  flavors- Popcorn Seasonings 

5.    Erica Lopez from Variety the children's charity explained in detail the workings of this very worth while cause -

Bravo to CinemaCon and all involved, in keeping movie imagination and innovation alive!!
It was truly amazing this year. The Blonde and The Brunette look forward to 2014.