Women in Exhibition (WIE) that launched
during last month’s mid-western Geneva Convention, where founding members led a
panel on women’s leadership, are excited to expand their industry outreach
heading into this year’s ShowEast, October 14-17, 2019. Continuing
the momentum, key members are participating in several forums during the
week-long event at The Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, Florida and the group will
accommodate WIE’s first members gathering.
“The movie industry has increasingly
recognized extraordinary women who have performed exemplary leadership roles in
their companies,” said Andrew Sunshine, ShowEast President. “We’re thrilled to join Coca-Cola to present
the show’s first annual Empowerment Award, saluting Elizabeth Frank, Executive
Vice President Worldwide Programming & Chief Content Officer for AMC
Theatres.” Immediately, following the
Wednesday morning ceremony, a Women’s Leadership Panel will be joined by WIE
founding member Darryl Schaffer, EVP Operations & Exhibitor Relations,
Screenvision Media and WIE special advisor, Pat Gonzalez, SVP, In-Theatre
Marketing for Paramount Pictures.
Throughout the show respected cinema
executives will join distinguished panels, moderate sessions, give product
presentations and on Monday afternoon, WIE founding member Jackie Brenneman, NATO’s
General Counsel & Director of Industry Relations, joins the
Global
Cinema Federation - What’s Next? panel with moderator, Laura Houlgatte, CEO,
UNIC.
“Women in Exhibition began as a casual discussion
amongst colleagues who had experienced varying degrees of transition during
their careers, expressing the need for more resources during significant change,”
says Heather Blair, President and WIE Founder. “Hearing there was a strong desire
for women’s networking circles, WIE was created and I found many women leaders
on board.” Blair went onto to say, “we
have a dozen founding members at ShowEast and we’re inviting attendees to learn
more – and thus far, I couldn’t be more pleased by the positive response by everyone.”
A non-profit foundation, the prevailing mission
is to create a platform for all women in cinema exhibition to build communities
of diversity and inclusion. By identifying important initiatives and addressing
through mentoring, educational and support programs it will help bridge the
vast realms of exhibition. WIE plans to cultivate an international network,
focusing on career opportunities, education and guidance and will implement
various programs moving forward.
Networking efforts by WIE founding members
began last spring and the foundation has assembled more than 100 new
members. WIE is holding an open get-together
on Monday, October 14
th at the Bleau Bar in the hotel lobby from
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm to encourage others to join and share their thoughts and
ideas for cinema’s future.
About
Women in Exhibition (WIE)
Women in
Exhibition promotes leadership, inclusion and growth as a portal for
women to engage and enhance their professional experience with exhibitors,
studios, technology groups and service providers. WIE will resource new and existing
exhibition platforms to align women professionals for greater presence at
industry conferences, forums/meetings, major events, affiliate groups and more.
Goals also include partnering with charitable groups that support the industry
to create educational programs for career guidance and success for all cinema
professionals, newly entering exhibition or experienced.
