As we begin the new year, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on how the GSCA Board of Directors and staff are working on behalf of its members and share our action plan to meet members’ needs in the coming year.
 
You may recall, at the 2015 conference in San Francisco, the GSCA Board worked with facilitator Lynn Luckow to frame GSCA’s strategic plan and update our mission, vision, and values. In 2016, we continued our work on developing and implementing the plan. In addition, I held listening sessions during the GSCA Toronto conference to hear firsthand from members and understand how we are meeting your needs, what we could do better to increase GSCA’s value to you, and how we can ensure the Association continues to be of service and remains relevant to members.
 
The result of those board discussions and candid member input is a 2017 action plan that includes providing more tools, education, and data to help you, and all of us, succeed in the giant screen industry. You’ll find the action plan on the GSCA website at the following link: GSCA 2017 Strategic Plan
 
In addition to working toward the goals and benefits listed in the action plan, GSCA will continue to offer member benefits such as access to member-only portions of the website, including industry research and sessions from past conferences, the Certified Giant Screen Program; Theater Attendance Reporting Program, Giant Screen Production and Postproduction Workflow (P3W), discounts on conference registration, and more.

Planning for the 2017 GSCA International Conference and Trade Show in Chicago on September 26-28 is well underway, and we hope to see you all there. This year’s conference will include a Marketing Symposium focused on increasing audience capture rates; improving marketing effectiveness; and new ideas and approaches to marketing, advertising and promotion. Mark your calendars for this exciting event.

Why I'm a Member

When I think about why our organization is a member of GSCA, it is easy to focus on attending the conference, seeing the latest films that have been finished, or hearing more about film projects that are in various forms of production or development. While those things are important to us, membership is about much more than that. It’s about being an active member of a community.

One definition of community (according to Merriam-Webster) is “a body of persons with common professional interests scattered throughout a larger society.” GSCA is where our organization finds that community—a group of people who, although they come from many different backgrounds, passionately believe the educational, immersive, giant screen cinema experience is extraordinary and has the power to inspire and to change lives. It’s a community of people who are always interested in sharing ideas, supporting each other, and welcoming new members. Your membership and active participation in GSCA ensure we are all successful in this industry we believe in so strongly.

If you are not yet a 2017 member of GSCA, I encourage you to take a moment to renew or join now and be part of this amazing community.

I also encourage you to participate on a GSCA committee and take an active role is shaping the future of GSCA. Committees include:

  • Event Planning
  • Industry Development
  • Member Services
  • Technical

Contact Tammy Seldon for more information or to volunteer.

Please feel free to contact me or GSCA staff with questions. Thank you for your continued support of the GSCA. We look forward to working with you in the coming year.
 
Sincerely,
 
Gordon Stalans, GSCA Chair
Tennessee Aquarium