2012 Conference Program

"Art & Design Business Perspectives: Bottom Line Success for Designers, Manufacturers and Retailers” – will offer 10 sessions presented by top industry pros in the areas of art licensing, licensee /licensor relationships, legal considerations and strategies, e-tailing, e-communications and social media, as well as a look at future business trends affecting the art & design industry.

• Register early to save money and be guaranteed a seat!
• Full Conference and Daily Track packages are available for greatest savings.
• Individual sessions are $75 advance rate, $90 starting May 5, 2012.
• Register before May 5, 2012 for all advance rates; thereafter and on-site, rates will be standard.
• All tickets are non-refundable.

Please note that Conference registration is separate from Show registration. 

TRACK I - Fundamentals

Who should attend: Artists and designers interested in learning about the world of licensing – for their own businesses or for their employers; manufacturers and retailers new to the business of licensing; and anyone in a creative or product development capacity wanting to learn the basics of art licensing.

Introductory Conference sessions on Sunday, May 20th lay the groundwork for creating a firm foundation for an art licensing business, and cover essential topics vital to success. Material in each of the four sessions provides start-up guidance, imperative legal advice for contracts and copyrights, guidelines for determining the value of an agent, and a glimpse behind the scenes of artist/agent/manufacturer dynamics.

TRACK II - Operations

Who should attend: Manufacturers, retailers, agents and artists/ licensors who are familiar with licensing; and anyone in a creative, product development or licensing capacity interested in staying current with the latest in the art licensing field.

Monday’s four sessions shift focus to more advanced issues in the business. New legal strategies, practical advice on working with manufacturers once agreements are in place, a look into where the art licensing business is heading, and valuable details on the unique characteristics of the retailer – manufacturer relationship are all part of this more advanced track.

TRACK III - Insight

Who should attend: Manufacturers, retailers, agents, artists, designers, and others involved in the creative, product development and licensing arenas – who want to get a glimpse into the future, and better understand the expanding digital world’s impact on their businesses.

Tuesday’s concluding two sessions will catapult Conference attendees into the future with eye-opening information on the expanding digital world -- and its impact on marketing, selling and promoting, along with a frank discussion of the evolving retail landscape and what it may mean to the future of the art & design business.

Session Descriptions

Basics of Art Licensing - Part I
Sunday, May 20th   9:00 - 10:30 am

All the basics of getting into the business of art licensing and succeeding will be covered in this entry-level session … starting with the definition of art licensing, as well as who the players are and what each one does. You’ll also learn about the key steps necessary to get started, finding resources to help you along the way, marketing your brand(s), and mapping out strategies to get in front of your potential customers.

Our presenters will share their knowledge from years of industry experience -- Suzanne Cruise, President of Suzanne Cruise Creative Services, Inc., speaking from a seasoned agent’s perspective and Debbie Taylor Kerman, President of Debbie Taylor Kerman Inc., a successful artist, adding her unique and first-hand understanding of the business.

This session will provide valuable, real life insight on how to enter the art licensing business with solid fundamentals.

Presenters:

Suzanne Cruise President Susan Cruise Creative Services, Inc.		Debbie Taylor Kerman President Debbie Taylor Kerman Inc.

Basics of Art Licensing - Part II
Sunday, May 20th 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

As a sequel to Basics of Art Licensing – Part 1, this session goes deeper into the fundamentals of art licensing. Working with agents, attorneys and prospective customers will be discussed by our expert presenters, Tara Reed, President of Tara Reed Designs and Paul Wheeler, owner of Looking Good Licensing, as they share their expertise and arm you with all the tools necessary to begin building critical momentum for your business. 

You’ll get a clear understanding of how agents work, what questions to ask, and how to decide if they’re the right way to go for your business. And more importantly, you’ll get tips on how to evaluate and find the right one(s) for your business by knowing what key questions to ask. 

Another key element of the art licensing business involves legal issues….whether it’s a licensing agreement or agent agreement, our presenters will give you an overview of what you need to be aware of – is a contract essential? Who drafts it? Is an attorney needed? 

Lastly, you’ll be guided through best practices for approaching potential licensees…. from researching whom you’d like to do business with, getting their attention and making a pitch. And it doesn’t just end there… in fact, that’s merely the beginning of new relationships from which businesses can grow.

Presenters:

Tara Reed President Tara Reed Designs	Paul Wheeler President & Owner Looking Good Licensing

Understanding Legal Basics- Contracts and Copyrights
Sunday, May 20th 2:00 -  3:30 pm

This essential session walks you through the complete structure of an art licensing agreement, presented by Kyle-Beth Hilfer Esq., KB Hilfer Law. It explores the key legal clauses from both the manufacturer’s perspective and from the artist’s perspective. How will the copyright in the art be protected from both sides? What is proper copyright language for maximum protection? How should territory and product categories of the license be defined? Should the contract be “exclusive”? How are these concepts tied to compensation? What exactly are guarantees, advances, and indemnifications? How would breach of contract claims be handled? Our expert attorney will cover these topics and more as she deconstructs an art license agreement into its component parts, providing in-depth guidance for all manufacturers, retailers and artists in the business.

Presenter:

Kyle-Beth Hilfer Kyle-Beth Hilfer Esq. (Principle) Kyle-Beth Hilfer, P.C

Artists Speak- Licensees Listen
Sunday, May 20th 4:30 - 6:00 pm

A lively debate between manufacturers/licensees and successful artists on what makes for a good licensee and from the manufacturers’ point of view, how artists can best serve their needs. Moderated by Jeff Grinspan- President of Grinspan & Co/artmoid.com, join Jennifer Zolan- President & Owner, The Zolan Company, Kate McRostie- President, Kate McRostie Design Works, Inc., Carol Florsheim- President/Creative Director, PPD Inc. and Julie Chisholm-Polich- VP Design, Bardwil Industries as they open the door to topics such as how much work is expected from artists to fill the manufacturer pipeline, how to best handle contract disputes, who is responsible for creative ideas, and much more.

Moderator:                    Panelists:

Jeff Grinspan President Grinspan & Co., artmoid.com	Jennifer Zolan President The Zolan Company	Kate McRostie Artist & President Kate McRostie Design Works, Inc.	Carol Florsheim           President & Creative Director PPD	Julie Chisholm Polich Senior VP Design Bardwil Industries

New Legal Strategies- Royalties, Terms, and More
Monday, May 21st 8:30 - 10:00 am

Staying one step ahead of your competition is critical to sustained growth and enhanced profitability. Joshua J. Kaufman – Esq., Venable LLC will take a microscope to the latest creative approaches in royalty structures, alternative ideas for compensation, new protective language for royalty contracts, escape clauses, performance guarantees and a host of other forward looking elements undoubtedly poised to impact the future of art licensing.

Presenter:

Joshua Kaufman Esq. Venable LLP

Strategies for Working with Manufacturers
Monday, May 21st 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Join our illustrious manufacturer panel including 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 as they discuss art licensing from their distinctively different product category perspectives: stationery/paper, home décor, publishing, textiles/floor coverings and tabletop. Learn what they expect from artists, how they motivate licensors, what they do to maintain the vitality of new art applied to product and more! They’ll also touch upon maintaining and nurturing existing relationships as well as maximizing royalties.

Presenters:

Susan January Vice President Leanin' Tree	John Chester Owner and Janitor Wild Apple Graphics	Suzy Bramlett Design Director Mohawk Home	Shawn Solon Vice President & Design Director  Prima Donna

Futurecast: Business Trends in Art Licensing
Monday, May 21st  1:30 - 3:00 pm

Building a brand, new royalty trends and concepts, and direct-to-retailer strategies are just a few of the topics to be covered in this session moderated by Ira Mayer - President/Publisher EPM Communications. Joined by Alex Meisel- President of Alex Meisel & Co. LLC., and Steve Mumm – COO & Owner Debbie Mumm, Inc., they’ll address the newest trends in the art licensing business. This information-packed session is for established artists and designers who want to take their business to the next level. For manufacturers, it will offer fresh insight into the newest trends in licensee/licensor relationships. And for retailers, our presenters will offer new strategies for art acquisition and product development.

Moderator:                              Panelists:

Ira Mayer Publisher & President EPM Communications	Alex Meisel President Alex Meisel & Co., LLC	Steve Mumm COO & Owner Debbie Mumm

Understanding and Enhancing Retailer-Manufacturer Relationships
Monday, May 21st 4:00 - 5:30 pm

The unique bond between retailer and licensee helps product move from concept to production to the selling floor and ultimately into consumers’ homes.  Both entities – manufacturer and retailer – hold unique positions in the art licensing equation. Sit with us was we examine two very special partnerships and dissect what makes them work and why. From understanding how retailers view their product needs to their input on product development, sample review, and more, our presenters will offer a rare glimpse into the world of successful licensing from the point of view of the ‘gatekeepers’.

Presenters:

Steven Cohen Vice President- Licensing CSS Industries	Neil Mandell  Chief Merchandising Officer   Town & Country Living	TBD Retailer	TBD Retailer

Opportunities & Challenges in the Expanding Digital World
Tuesday, May 22nd  11:00 am - 12:30 pm

The ever expanding role of the internet – websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and numerous other forms of communication – offers unique marketing opportunities for businesses and individuals. Whether it’s to connect with others, gather market intelligence, build a brand, or spark an action, digital marketing can reach an audience, and multiply exponentially, in no time. While unparalleled in its power, it also presents new challenges that any smart business must address, including how to best protect one’s art, brand or property. Tom Shapiro - CEO, Digital Marketing NOW will cover all aspects of utilizing the web to your marketing advantage and Jeanne Hamburg - Esq., Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA will address best practices for protecting your brands and creative works while engaging in marketing and selling on the web. This is a session not to be missed!

Presenters:

Tom Shapiro CEO Digital Marketing NOW		Jeanne Hamburg Attorney Norris McLaughlin & Marcus PA

The Evolving Retail Scene and its Impact on Art Licensing
Tuesday, May 22nd 1:30 - 3:00 pm

Our expert speakers will present a broad-based analysis of the emerging developments shaping the future of retail across multiple categories, brands, and environments. How will the on-going battle between brick & mortar and internet retailing shake out, and how are retailers building out their web presence for the future? What are the trends for brand marketing and distribution exclusivity? How does the squeeze on margins impact the entire supply chain?  Where do licensors and manufacturers fit in, and how will these issues impact art licensing in the future? Listen to what the experts say on what to expect and how to prepare for this emerging retail scene as it continues to evolve.

Presenters:

Carol Spieckerman CEO New Market Builders	Sue Welch CEO Tradestone Software	TBD Retailer

2012 Conference Program Pricing

*Qualified attendees include art buyers, manufacturers, retailers, other licensees, and product developers.

Attendees, click here to purchase your Conference Program ticket(s).

Exhibitors, please check back in February to purchase your Conference Program ticket(s).