Post-conference Edition – January 2009

Full house at the opening plenary session.

Thanks for a Great Conference – Positive feedback on the APAP Conference NYC 2009 is flowing in from all directions. Our network continues to flourish and grow stronger because of your significant participation in the Conference.

Conference Attendance Strong in All Categories – Conference attendance nearly matched last year, which was the largest in APAP history, despite the withering effects of the economy. With 406 registered booths, the APAP EXPO exceeded last year's total number of exhibitors and was also the largest international member attendance ever at an APAP Conference – a sure sign of our field's global interconnections.

APAP Conference Connections to the Economic Crisis – The conference received a powerful jumpstart with the opening plenary session focused on challenges and opportunities for our field amid economic and cultural shifts. Economist Jeremy Nowak addressed the counter-cultural logic of creativity in an economic crisis » read his remarks, and artistic director Robyn Archer urged us to embrace resilience thinking » read her remarks. Electronic artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer demonstrated how to "create platforms for participation" and producer-director Kenny Leon reminded us that "art is born of necessity." Summary reports and links to resources identified by conference speakers will become available in the weeks ahead on the APAP conference website.

The APAP EXPO was the largest exhibit hall in conferece history.

Please Complete the Conference Survey – All Conference attendees received an email reminder earlier this week regarding the Conference Survey. Your invaluable feedback will help us plan our gathering for next year and assure that the 2010 Conference will be even stronger and more vital than ever. Please complete your survey and send it to us now, while you're thinking of it! Survey closes Friday, February 6.

It was standing room only at the Annual Meeting of the Members, Part II.

News of the Month

Annual Meeting of the Members – It was standing-room only in the Hilton Mercury Ballroom for Part II of the Annual Meeting of the Members, held at the APAP Conference NYC on January 12. Quorum was achieved, and a full contingent of board members sat onstage, leading a robust dialogue with the packed house. The new bylaws revisions were approved, the new slate of directors ratified, and the new board officers were introduced, including new board chairman Mike Ross.

Outgoing Chair Lisa Booth with incoming Chair Mike Ross and CEO Sandra Gibson at the opening reception.

Economy Watch

APAP is leading the way in keeping our members updated on the latest economic trends affecting our field.

AMS Tracking Survey – Last month, we introduced a new economic tracking survey to gather crucial information from APAP members as well as from members of the Performing Arts Center Consortium and the League of Historic American Theaters. » See December survey results. Watch your inbox for an invitation to participate in the next survey round, the results of which will be posted in a subsequent Presenting Matters.

Economic Impact Conference Call Recording Available – On December 18, APAP hosted a conference call on "The Impact of the Economy on the Field of Presenting," featuring leading experts on the economy. A full capacity of 130 people called in and participated. » Download an MP3 of the recording

Government Affairs

Obama Arts Transition Team Meeting – On January 15th, Sandra Gibson and other arts leaders met with the Obama arts transition team to discuss the arts policy recommendations submitted to the team last fall. » Find out more

New Administration Posts – The Obama Administration has filled several important cabinet positions that may affect our industry and members.
» See who's been appointed

Advocacy and Action Alert: Economic Stimulus and the Arts – The nation's economic stimulus package considers supplemental funds for the arts through the NEA. This is a critical time for members to take action and connect with their local Congressman or Senator to let them know just how vital your organization is in your community and how you may be affected by this economic downturn.
» Read about the economic stimulus developments

Center for Best Practices Posts Paper on Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development – Arts and culture are important to state economies. Arts and culture-related industries, also known as "creative industries," provide direct economic benefits to states and communities. » Read the report

Advocacy and Action Alert: White Space – Calling all arts presenters using wireless microphone devices! A specific portion of the "white space" – channels 52-69, roughly between 700 and 800 MHz frequencies – has already been auctioned off, and current users, including performing arts organizations, will most likely be required to vacate this part of the spectrum by February 17, 2009. You are urged to contact your wireless microphone equipment manufacturer. Depending on make and model, your equipment could be re-banded with a new frequency range. Otherwise, it will need to be replaced. Please do this as soon as possible, especially if you are in a metropolitan market. Also, if you have a technical manager in your organization (this includes sound engineers, production managers, anyone working with wireless devices for production use) who may be able to provide technical expertise on working with current wireless devices or share concerns about working with the new spectrum, please contact Richard T. Bryant, Chief Member Officer at rbryant@artspresenters.org. APAP will attend a meeting with the FCC on February 5 in Washington, DC.