AGENDA (This page will be under construction up till the event -- this is a changing process.)

SUNDAY: "Arrival Day"

• Check-in and pick up program materials
• 6:30 PM Welcome Cocktail Party

MONDAY: "The Business of doing business"

•   8:00 -   9:30 Breakfast Roundtables
•   9:45 - 10:00 Welcome and introductions - John Prescott
• 10:00 - 10:45 "How has the industry changed?" - Andy Streitfeld
  • A review and open discussion of the progression of changing business models and technology in the post-production business from 1988 (1st ITS Presidents Retreat) to the present.
• 10:45 - 11:00 Coffee Break
• 11:00 - 12:30 "Wait till you hear about this."
  • A series of presentations by attendees on personal experiences about changing management styles and how their business has been affected.
    • "Changing the way we do production." - John Prescott
    • "Keeping clients in changing times." - TBD
    • "Going from facility manager/owner to freelance work" - Park Seward
    • "(more case studies here)
• Afternoon free
• 7:00 PM - Cocktail reception and dinner

TUESDAY: "The Business of Managing Technology"

•   8:00 -   9:30 Breakfast Roundtables
•   9:45 - 10:45 "What the future holds for the digital production industry." - Mark Schubin / Park Seward

Topics to be covered include: New developments in solid state technology including the future of the broadcast market and an overview of new product introductions.

So how will this new technology impact production and post?

Sony has an optical camcorder they unveiled at the NAB. Will we also have optical VTRs in the studio? Will we go optical or solid state? This could be a huge battle for future formats. One thing for sure, we can see the end of tape... or can we???

We will also review Digital Cinema as a way for post houses to participate in the making of movies. What is needed to support this effort? 

• 10:45 - 11:00 Coffee Break
• 11:00 - 12:00 TBD - (could be presentations by attendees on technical changes and predictions for the future)
• Afternoon free
• 7:00 PM - Cocktail reception and dinner?

WEDNESDAY: "The Business of Management" 

• 8:00 -   9:30 Breakfast Roundtables
• 9:45 - 10:45 "Why Hire Employees?" Hiring freelancers vs. employees. In LA, just about everyone in production hires freelancers, should you? Also, there are a lot of editors that work as daily hires. Would this work in your facility? What is the down side?
  

THURSDAY: "Closing and review"

• 9:00 - 10:00 Breakfast and group discussion and review of this event -- Plans for future retreats.
• Transportation to the airport for those leaving.

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THURSDAY: "Post Retreat"

• 6:30 PM - Cocktail reception for the "Post-Retreat"

FRIDAY:

• 9:00 - 12:00 - Small group discussion -- topic to be announced.

SATURDAY:

• 9:00 - 12:00 - Small group discussion -- topic to be announced
• 6:30 PM - Closing reception and dinner.

SUNDAY:  "Departure Day"

A little background about Los Cabos.

            Los Cabos (the capes), located on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula directly south of California, is the newest and most beautiful playground. The two towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas form this incredible destination. Known world-wide for its sport fishing and most recently for its wealth of world class golf course resorts, Los Cabos also offers visitors of all ages a full range of exciting outdoor adventures. Best of all, the outdoor activities available can fit most any budget, experience and interest level. Whether it's snorkeling in Santa Maria Bay, big game fishing or horseback riding through the desert… Los Cabos has it all.

The Baja Peninsula is prime gray whale watching territory. The great mammal travels here to give birth and nurse their young from January to March, before returning north to the cooler waters of Alaska. The sport of Kayaking is growing in popularity throughout the world and if the desert is the destination, there are plenty of attractions available. Riding on the sand dunes on an ATV or horseback riding in the desert hills or along the unique beaches can be an exciting experience. Whether drawn between the ocean or the land, you can do it all in the region of Los Cabos.

The colonial town of San José del Cabo is less hectic than Cabo San Lucas, but growing with major renovations in the downtown area. This charming town enjoys the traditional afternoon siesta, although it does have its fair share of shopping furniture and fine art, to T-shirts and souvenirs in the tree lined area on the boulevard. Best dining is in San José, with the historical district that gives distinction to this beautiful area.

 Shopping throughout the tourist corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas is largely confined to the resort hotels but even these have not taken away from the view of the rolling terrain and the sparkling ocean.

 Cabo San Lucas, is part of Los Cabos, a 20-mile stretch of beach that began as a quiet fishing region accessible only by boat and by private plane. This town bubbles over with souvenir stores and restaurants, bars, boutiques and street hawkers. It is a true resort town and has a wide range of amenities and American style comforts including a downtown marina and a north of the border style shopping center.