New Members and First-Time Conference Attendees

The GSCA Mentor program is designed to help new members and first-time conference attendees navigate their first conference and the giant screen industry. Mentees are matched with a more experienced member of the association based on their area of expertise. Mentors will facilitate introductions, assist with deciphering the lingo, and provide an opportunity to ask questions in a one-on-one environment. Since the program’s inception, it has received a very positive satisfaction rating of 87%. The GSCA Professional Development Team encourages all first-time attendees to participate. It will be worth your while. Many long-time business relationships and friendships have been established through GSCA's mentor program. 

New members and first-time conference attendees are strongly encouraged to sign up for this program. To be matched with a mentor, please contact Tammy Barrett via e-mail or at 1-919-346-1123.

Seeking Industry Mentors

GSCA members with experience in the giant screen cinema industry are encouraged to provide guidance and share their industry expertise with new members. You'll get as much out of the experience as the person you mentor. To volunteer as a mentor, please contact Tammy Barrett  via e-mail or at 1-919-346-1123.

Testimonials

Here's what some recent mentor program participants had to say about their experience:

• "My first GSCA conference was in Jersey City in 2008. The guidance I received through the mentoring program has been vital to our company's progress. We are in a people business, and being assisted in navigating the landscape is a big plus. Add to that the technical knowledge learned and the opportunity to have someone recognize your particular skills. My mentor has become a good friend and business associate. He has supported me through four conferences now as well as assisted me in testing equipment, introduced me to key contacts, and advised me on costs for post production. The time he has shared with me has been very valuable. What has made this work is that I recognize the value of the time and help I have been given."

• "An important program. It really helped me in establishing some key relationships right off the top."

• "LOVE this program. My mentor and I had a great exchange. It was fantastic."

• "The mentor program is a keeper. I had positive experiences. I got connected to essential players and guided on ways to play."

Mentor Guidelines

You have volunteered or been asked to help with the GSCA Mentor Program because of your knowledge, experience, and participation in the GSCA. Please be as open as possible to sharing your knowledge with and being supportive of your mentee.

Please approach the opportunity with enthusiasm and commitment.

You will receive your mentee’s contact information prior to the GSCA conference. Please contact your mentee before to the conference to introduce yourself, answer your mentee’s questions, and provide any general information about GSCA, the conference, the giant screen industry, etc., that you think would be helpful to your mentee.

There will be a first-timer/new member reception at the GSCA conference where mentors and mentees will come together for a casual face-to-face introduction and social interaction with each other, other mentors and mentees, and GSCA staff and board members. Please make every effort to attend this event. In addition to getting to know your mentee, please spend time introducing your mentee to other attendees.

As the conference progresses, check in with your mentee from time to time to answer questions or provide any other help that is needed.

After the GSCA conference, please be accessible to your mentee so you can remain a resource well into the future. Not only are you helping your mentee navigate the industry, GSCA, and the conference—you are developing a potentially valuable industry relationship.

Mentee Guidelines

As a first-time participant at the GSCA conference, you have been provided with a great opportunity through the Mentor Program to be paired with an experienced volunteer. Your mentor is an expert in your field and has a wealth of industry experience. Please be prepared to take full advantage of this program, be engaged, and use the guidance your mentor can provide.

Approach this opportunity with enthusiasm and commitment to get the most out of your mentor experience.

You will receive your mentor’s contact information prior to the GSCA conference. Please make every effort to speak with your mentor before the conference for an introduction. Also, if there’s information you want to know before you meet face-to-face, be prepared to ask your mentor questions during your pre-conference conversation.

There will be a first-timer/new member reception at the GSCA Conference where mentors and mentees will come together for a casual face-to-face introduction and social interaction with each other, other mentors and mentees, and GSCA staff and board members. Please make every effort to attend this event. In addition to spending time getting to know your mentor, ask your mentor to introduce you to other attendees if he or she has not done so.

Please use your mentor as a resource throughout the conference and well into the future. The mentors are willing to help, and their support can be invaluable in navigating the industry, GSCA, and the conference.