Friday, February 4, 2011   |   Saturday, February 5, 2011

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Friday, February 4

10:00am - 7:00pm - Registration - Plaza I, II

1:00pm - 2:15pm

Talkin' Bout My Generation: The Music Industry From Every Generation's POV

There are now five generations working side-by-side in the music industry, each with unique traits and perspectives. How can we harness the power of each generation to ensure a successful show? Co-sponsor IAVM (Int’l Assoc. of Venue Managers) brings you this opportunity to learn how to get along with everyone from young whippersnappers to our tribal elders. Click here for a recap.

Co-Moderator: Kim Bedier, Comcast Arena at Everett
Co-Moderator: Scott Mullen, iWireless Center
Dick Alen, William Morris Endeavor (ret) - Traditionalist born: 1922-45
Ed Rubinstein, ArenaNetwork - Baby Boomer born: 1946-64
Jim Allison, AEG - Generation X born: 1965-80
Kiersten Dunn, Pepperdine Univ. - Generation Y / Millenial born: 1981-94
Taylor Howser, Long Beach Millikin HS - Linkster born: 1995+

1:00pm - 2:15pm

Smaller Is Better: Why Indie Promoters Are The Soul Of The Concert Business

Everyone pays attention to the industry giants but it is the small independent talent buyers that keep the artist development chain and industry moving forward. In a land devoid of Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber dates, there are still plenty of opportunities for indie promoters to flourish and make money. Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Dan Steinberg, Square Peg Concerts
David Britz, Stiletto Entertainment
Rick Farrell, ICM
Andrew Goodfriend, TKO
Andrea Johnson, The Agency Group
Bill Rogers, BRE Presents
Jason Zink, Sherpa Concerts

2:30pm - 3:45pm

Collegiate Introduction To The Business Of Live Music

Now that the focus of the music business has shifted to the live side of the equation, more and more colleges are adding courses and even degrees to their curriculums. Book learning, guest lecturers and real fieldwork can help launch the careers of the next generation of professionals. Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Barbara Hubbard, American Collegiate Talent Showcase
John Huie, CAA
Steve Dixon, Music Tour Management
Xen Riggs, Schottenstein Center
Lynda Reinhart, Stephen C. O’Connell Center
Michael Strickland, Bandit Lites

2:30pm - 3:45pm

Smaller Is Better: Why Indie Agents Are The Heartbeat Of The Concert Business

As is the case with promoters, everyone pays attention to the giant booking agencies but it is the small independent agents that keep the industry’s artist development chain moving forward. Absent a stable of arena headliners, it is the indie agent who has an ear to the ground, digs hard for dates, and is the real key to discovering and developing most new artists. Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Wayne Forte, Entourage Talent Agency
Mike Kappus, Rosebud Agency
Paul Goldman, Monterey International
Jesse Kirshbaum, NUE Agency
Kris Stevens, Rams Head Promotions

2:30pm - 3:45pm

Best Practices For A Sustainable Concert Venue

Green, green green. . . A few operational changes by a concert venue can pay huge dividends for the environment. Aside from being the right thing to do, sustainable practices improve your local standing as a good citizen and often can also make solid long-term economic sense. Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Brian Allenby, Reverb
Benj Gershman, O.A.R.
Wilson Rogers, Live Nation
Bill Silva, Bill Silva Entertainment

4:00pm - 5:15pm

Marrying Music and Mobile: How Handsets Bring Customers To Concerts

Sponsored in association with the North American Concert Promoters Association, this session will look at successful uses of mobile technology to improve the concert ticket sales experience, how social networking tools can reduce advertising costs, and how to enhance the customer’s experience by fostering a closer relationship with the event producer. Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Ralph Simon, Mobilium.com
Rob Tercek, Professor - USC School of Cinema-Television
Ian Rogers, TopSpin
Eric Garland, Big Champagne

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Opening Reception

Sponsored by Wells Fargo Theatre - Denver

Saturday, February 5, 2011   |   Back To Friday Schedule

Saturday, February 5

8:30am - 4:30pm - Registration - Plaza I, II

9:00am - 9:45am

Keynote Conversation On The Concert Business With Fred Rosen & Tom Ross

Oh, what a long strange trip it’s been. Two of the giants who helped build today’s industry take a frank look at the evolution of the live music business, where it’s at today, and where they think it is going in the future. Come hear an open conversation from two guys with the cojones to speak honestly from their perspective because they’ve been there, done that, and have already donated the t-shirt. Click here for a recap.

10:00am - 11:15am

Priceless: The Hidden Psychology of Concert Tickets and the Myth of Fair Value

“Concert tickets are a classic example of how nobody knows what anything should cost,” according to best-selling author William Poundstone, the author of the new book Priceless. The concert business requires numerous pricing decisions and every one of them is someone’s best guess at the right answer. Learn some of the psychological touchstones of consumers and why fair prices are ultimately nothing more than a collective hallucination. Click here for a recap.

William Poundstone, best selling author

Followed by questions and commentary from:

Adam Friedman
Stuart Ross, Music Tour Consulting
Bob Shea, Madison Square Garden Entertainment

11:30am - 12:45pm

Why The Gordon Gecko Manifesto Is Hurting Everyone’s Business

It’s time to get back to the basics of deal making and creating win-win scenarios. Like it or not, we all need each other to prosper. The artist, the promoter, the venue, and don’t forget the fan, all need to walk away feeling satisfied if you expect to see repeat business from any of them. The cost of concerts has to reflect the realities of the marketplace and that starts with sensible deals. Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Jeff Trisler, Live Nation
Troy Blakely, APA
Ken Burry, Greenberg Traurig
Carl Hall, Rupp Arena
Alex Hodges, Nederlander Organization
Steve Martin, The Agency Group
Jim McCue, SMG

1:00pm - 2:30pm

Buffet Lunch

(Sponsored by MooTV and Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard)

2:30pm - 3:45pm

Path With A Heart: An Invitation To Do Work That Matters

Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Chuck Morris, AEG Live Rocky Mountains
Bruce Cohn, BR Cohn Winery / Doobro Ent.
Brad Corrigan, Dispatch
Alexandra Mitchell, Pathfinder Solutions
Steve Moore, Country Music Association
Dr. Jeffrey Pryor, Anschutz Family Foundation
Erin Rank,Habitat For Humanity
John Rubey, AEG Live-TV
Patrick Simmons, The Doobie Brothers

2:30pm - 3:45pm

Marketing More For Less Roundtable

Your staff was just cut, you no longer have a receptionist, the artist’s manager has told you that they don’t need to and won’t do anything to help sell tickets. With budgets slashed, in today’s world everyone needs to do more. This includes using innovative social media and pulling together all the stakeholders in an event, from the artist to the most ardent fans, to maximize results. This roundtable will concentrate on how to rally a team, do marketing for less and just maybe have fun and fulfillment while doing so. Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Maria Brunner, Insight Management
Nichole Ipach, California State University Channel Islands
Karen Rappaport, MuddyGirl Productions

2:30pm - 3:45pm

Casino Talent Buyers Forum

The free-wheeling easy money paydays of recent years are rapidly disappearing from the casino circuit as gaming companies drift further away from the loss-leader days of entertainment. The casino drop is still the most important number, but casino entertainment bookers are now facing the new reality of having their shows come closer to paying their own way. Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Billy Brill, Billy Alan Productions
Jay Byrd, William Morris Endeavor
Mary Lien, Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Lori Otelsberg, Signature Entertainment Promotions
Mark Prows, MGM Mirage
Lars Sorensen, Snoqualmie Casino
C.J. Strock, Podell Talent Agency

2:30pm - 3:45pm

Deep Thoughts On Production

Views and opinions on the current state of the concert production game and its sustainable future as seen by the people in the trenches trying to execute an artist’s vision and make it all work on ever tightening budgets. Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Bill Rahmy, Production Manager
Christopher Kansy, Production Manager - Roger Waters
Bill Leabody, Production Manager - Shakira
Michael McDonald, Mick Artists Management
Chuck Randall, Production Manager - Alice In Chains
Rich Schaefer, The Artists Organization
John Wiseman, Chaos Visual Productions

4:00pm - 5:15pm

The Doors - An LA Story

It’s not just an LA story; it’s a story that strikes at the heart of our business. The Doors came from the clubs and then burst upon the world. They brought sexy and swagger with a great deal of intelligence to rock with a dash of jazz on the side. Click here for a recap.

Ray Manzarek, founding member of The Doors
Bruce Botnick, The Doors' recording engineer
Harvey Kubernik, author of "Canyon Of Dreams"
Moderator: Elliott Lefko, Goldenvoice

4:00pm - 5:15pm

The Economics of Concert Pricing & What Your Prices Say About You

Pricing, discounting, yield management, market forces, and value perception might not be rock ‘n’ roll, but they are all part of daily life in the concert business. If you’re a pro with 20 years in the business, come by and see that PhDs are catching up with what you already know. If not, come and learn about common mistakes before you make them (again). Click here for a recap.

Dr. Victor Bennett, USC Marshall School of Business

4:00pm - 5:15pm

Country Music 2011 Roundtable

Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Rod Essig, CAA

4:00pm - 5:15pm

Theatre and Performing Arts Center Forum

The importance of small hall theatres and performing arts centers has never been greater. With fewer artists capable of filling arenas, these mid-level venues are becoming the most attractive booking options for tour planners. Fans love seeing shows in these historic old venues or in their state-of-the art replacements. What does the industry need to do to keep the turnstyles humming? Click here for a recap.

Moderator: Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium
Christine Barkley, APA
Paul Beard, Smith Center For The Performing Arts
Ali Harnell, The Messina Group/AEG Live
Aran Rush, Tyson Events Center
Nick Spampanato, Beacon Theatre

6:30pm - 11:00pm

Pollstar Awards at Club Nokia

Hosted by Chris Hardwick