Industry News

White Plains, NY, Dec. 16, 2011 - A three-day Conference Program, designed to be useful for industry veterans as well as newcomers to the art & design business, will highlight the 26th edition of SURTEX next May 20-22, 2012.

Entitled "Art & Design Business Perspectives: Bottom Line Success for Designers, Manufacturers and Retailers," the Conference will include 10 sessions "presented by experts and top industry pros drawn from many aspects of licensing, manufacturing, and retailing," according to Penny Sikalis, GLM VP and SURTEX show manager.

Also on the Conference "faculty" are veterans in e-tailing, e-communications, and social-networking, Sikalis reported. Other sessions will focus on legal considerations and strategies, and explore future trends affecting the art licensing industry.

Organized so information builds on itself as the Conference Program unfolds, Sikalis said, "Attendees can go from beginner to graduate school" at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, where SURTEX 2012 will be held. The Show is the only marketplace in North America dedicated to the sale and licensing of art for products of all kinds, and annually draws some 6,000 manufacturers, retailers, and other product developers from around the world.

"There is simply no other vehicle such as this," Sikalis pointed out. "It's a fast-track education for professionals who want to get into licensing and an essential update for industry veterans who want to max their success."

Sessions start on Sunday, May 20, with Fundamentals, designed to cover the basics of art licensing for newcomers to the licensing business and first-timers at SURTEX -- artists, designers, manufacturers, retailers and product developers are all welcome.

Day Two, Monday, May 21, is all about Operations. It is aimed at manufacturers, retailers, agents, established artists and licensors, as well as anyone in a creative, product development or licensing capacity interested in staying current, Sikalis explained.

Day Three, Tuesday, May 22, provides Insights for industry insiders, including manufacturers/licensees, retailers, artists, designers, agents and other product developers -- "Everyone interested in the industry and those who want to stay ahead of their competition," Sikalis said.

Here's an overview of the Conference offerings (details can be found at SURTEX.com):
Fundamentals: includes two sessions on Basics of Art Licensing, presented by Suzanne Cruise, president of Suzanne Cruise Creative Services, Inc., Debbie Taylor Kerman, president of Debbie Taylor Kerman Inc., Tara Reed, owner of Tara Reed Designs, and Paul Wheeler, owner of Looking Good Licensing.

Next will be a session on Understanding Legal Basics - Contracts and Copyrights - to be presented by top legal expert, Kyle-Beth Hilfer, Esq of KB Hilfer Law.

Finally, a panel discussion called Artists Speak - Licensees Listen promises a lively debate, moderated by Jeff Grinspan, president, Grinspan & Co/artmoid.com, and featuring presenters Jennifer Zolan, president and owner, The Zolan Company; Kate McRostie, president, Kate McRostie Design Works, Inc.; Carol Florsheim, president/creative director, PPD Inc., and Julie Chisholm-Polich, vice president design, Bardwil Industries.
Operations: Four sessions, aimed at manufacturers, retailers, agents and established artists/licensors, include New Legal Strategies --Royalties, Terms and More, presented by Joshua J. Kaufman, Esq., Venable LLC.

Strategies for Working with Manufacturers features panel presenters Susan January, vice president, Leanin' Tree; John Chester, owner and janitor, Wild Apple Graphics Inc.; Suzy Bramlett, design director, Mohawk Home, and Shawn Solon, vice president/design, Prima Donna.

Futurecast: Business Trends in Art Licensing will be moderated by Ira Mayer, president & publisher, EPM Communications. Panel presenters are Alex Meisel, president, Alex Meisel & Co. LLC, and Steve Mumm, coo/owner, Debbie Mumm, Inc.

Understanding & Enhancing Retailer-Manufacturer Relationships explores the unique bond between retailer and licensee. Panel presenters include two manufacturers and two retailers, to be announced.

Insights: Two sessions are aimed at everyone involved in the art and design business, including artists, designers, agents, manufacturers, and retailers wanting to stay ahead of their competition.

Opportunities & Challenges in the Expanding Digital World explores the ever-growing opportunities and legal challenges of websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. Presenters will be Tom Shapiro, ceo, Digital Marketing NOW, and Jeanne Hamburg, Esq., Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA.

The Evolving Retail Scene and its Impact on Art Licensing will offer a broad-based analysis of the emerging developments shaping the future of retail... and how businesses need to prepare. Presenters will include Sue Welch, ceo, Tradestone Software, and Carol Spieckerman, ceo, New Market Builders, plus a major on-line retailer, to be announced.

Online registration opens December 15, 2011, at www.SURTEX.com. Registrants may purchase a full conference package, daily tracks, as well as individual sessions. Advance rates apply through May 4, 2012. Tickets are limited and sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information on SURTEX and the Conference Program, visit www.SURTEX.com.