'boards summit review

I never attended a 'Boards Summit until this year. It was fascinating. A great event. I was honored to be included so, thanks Rae Ann Fera, Ed White, Bruce Wellington and the entire team who put together this happening. There is no doubt I will make it a regular event on my industry calendar whether as speaker or attendee.

For personal reasons, I was only there for one of the two days. I still managed to catch a couple of insightful panels and speeches. Equally as informative were the conversations taking place in the lobby. People from various sectors of our industry filled the hall - music houses, production companies, post facilities, ad agencies, media buyers, cost consultants, overseas service companies. You name it they were represented. I loved eaves dropping as I passed through the crowds. The conversations, as you may guess, all centered around the same theme. How is your business doing? What is the next thing? Lively debate about a particular forum. People came there to network and look for some answers, or if not answers, at least some inspiration.

If there was any critique I could makeand it's nothing 'Boards could do to change it, is the need for more problem solving and positivity. As I mentioned yesterday, the morning key note speech was entitled "The Production Company Model is Dead". There were other references made throughout the day of our industry being doomed, fucked and hopelessly broken. And, this is from our industry leaders. 

Most times the comments were couched in self deprecation and well timed cynicism. These devices can place a humorous perspective to help us cope with reality. At times well needed but must be follow up with at best with some possible solutions and at worst some inspiration. 

If there was anything we learned from Obama's election is we are need of even a glimmer a hope. We can debate the effectiveness to date of his policies or his ability to deliver on his promises. What is undebatable is providing a vision of better days ahead. To promote the possibility of a brighter tomorrow. To emphasize community spirit over self interest. To lead through problem solving. 

It's easy to take pot shots at business models in flux and an industry in decline. It's hard to provide answers. There were plenty of people that did that both as speakers and attendees. Personally I'd like to see our leaders rise to a higher level through the tone of their rhetoric and force of their actions. Regardless, the conversations taking place amongst the attendees were as transparent and communal of any industry function I have ever attended. That's reason enough to keep me coming back. 

Now that's the summit is over we can return to our regularly scheduled programming. I even have a guest blogger this week that pretty much refutes much of what I've said on particular topic. Can't wait to publish it.