Advice for First Time Attendees

I suppose this would qualify better under a "Questions from First Time Attendees," rather than "Advice for," but oh well.

Reference was made elsewhere in the wiki to buyer attendees receiving packets in advance, outlining those titles which will be presented. Can someone who's attended before give me an indication of when we can expect to receive such advance materials? It would be good to know how much prep time we'll have with materials. -- Susan Albrecht (Wabash College)

Attending Your First National Media Market

(Ursula's email to first time attendees)

I look forward to welcoming you to the National Media Market in Lexington, KY where we will be celebrating 30 years of connecting media professionals from across the county with the leading providers of educational content and related services. The Daily Schedule is attached for your review. Attending the Market is a great way to learn about a wide variety of media producers and distributors and their unique products. You will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with company representatives to discuss your content, licensing and delivery needs, and to negotiate the best pricing.

Since this is your first Market, you may find the attached Buyer’s Tip Sheet useful to maximize your energy and time. I strongly recommend attending the First Timers’ Meeting on Tuesday from 7:30 - 8 am at the Marriott (Terrace Ballroom). Several Board Members and seasoned Market attendees will be at hand to answer your questions. They will be available to accompany you as you make your few visits to the exhibiting companies on Wednesday at the Embassy.

The 2008 National Media Market Program Guide is now available for download at the National Media Market website. The complete program guide is available as a 215.7 MB PDF file; or as several smaller PDFs, one for each exhibitor. Every attendee will receive a printed version of this program guide at the Market in Lexington. But if you want to get a head start on researching who has the media that you want to see, go to http://www.nmm.net/market_notebook.shtml and download the 2008 National Media Market Program Guide.

Accommodations and Transportation

This year the Market will make use of two hotels for the different activities taking place. Screenings will be held at the Embassy Suites, an all-suite hotel offering spacious living rooms for setting up screening stations for the participating companies.

Market attendees will be staying at Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa. The Marriott will provide free shuttle service to and from the airport throughout the Market. Please call (859) 231-5100 upon arrival to arrange a pick-up. Although it is a very short walk across the street between the Marriott and the Embassy Suites there will be daily shuttle service between the hotels before and after screening times. The Marriott is also offering a 10% discount at all of their restaurants to NMM attendees.

In addition to housing attendees, the Marriott will be the site for all activities other than screening, such as the Large Group Presentations Market Mania Clips and More, all professional development sessions the reception Tuesday evening.

Special Events

There are two complimentary pre-Market events scheduled for Monday:

• a one-day workshop beginning at 8 am, designed for public television education services and outreach people focused on the 21st century classroom, held at KET - (Kentucky Educational Television), concluding with a reception hosted by KET. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please call me for details.
• a digital delivery discussion group, facilitated by Gary Handman of UC Berkeley, at the Marriott (Ballroom A-C). Participants in this event are invited to attend the reception hosted by KET.

Transportation between the Marriott and KET has been arranged. A small bus will leave from the Marriott at 1:15 pm and again at 5:15 pm. The return pick-up will be at 7 pm from KET.

Daily Drawings and Best of Show

Exhibitors will give you a ticket for each program you have previewed. Company representatives will bring these tickets to the lunchroom where one ticket will be drawn each day for a valuable prize. The more titles previewed, the better your chances of winning!

Exhibitors have nominated their best works for your consideration. A single Best of Show Award will be presented to the program that receives the most votes. Please choose your favorite from the list provided on the voting pad attached to the ring in the program guide. Circle your choice on the appropriate voting stub and deposit your vote in the ballot box found in the hospitality suite at the Embassy hotel. Ballots will be accepted until 11 am on Friday, and the winner will be announced at our closing lunch on Friday at 1 pm.

Celebration Dinner and Dance at the Red Mile (Thursday, 9-25)

The Red Mile is the second oldest harness track in the world. The clubhouse at this historic racetrack will be the setting for our celebration dinner and dance and will include Bluegrass music and Bourbon tasting for a memorable Kentucky experience. A bus will leave from the Marriott at 6:45 pm and bring you back at 11 pm.