Visual Connections, the trade show that brings all-things-stock footage related to Chicago’s advertising/production mecca, returns for the second time in two years bigger and more expansive than ever.
The 4,000-sq. ft. Ivy Room in the historic Tree Studios at State and Ohio is the venue. The one-day expo starts with a 10 a.m. keynote session and wraps with Cinco de Mayo (the Mexican celebration on May 5) Happy Hour, 5-7 p.m. in the Tree Studios’ courtyard. The Exhibit Floor is open from noon to 5 p.m.
The one-day, one-of-a-kind trade show, with a record 40 exhibitors representing virtually all of the companies dealing in the growing field of commissioned imagery and other visual media, includes 24 companies that are new to Visual Connections Chicago this year.
The new company additions to the exhibitor list demonstrates the growth of both visual media use and the expo, notes New York-based visual media expert Deborah Free, Visual Connections’ co-founder, whose first show was held in Chicago in 2009.
Among the exhibitors are such well-known stock footage libraries as Shutterstock, ITN Source, Dissolve, Catch and Release and WPA Film Library of Orland Park.
In addition to exhibitors, there are three informative sessions on current topics with visual media experts from Chicago and around the country.
First up is the 10 a.m. Keynote Q&A, Social Media: Sourcing and Publishing Visual Media,” addressing the increasingly complex issues of ownership and copyrights.
Panelists are attorney Bill McGrath, partner, Davis McGrath, LLC, trademark, publishing and internet law expert; Kimber Leigh Nussbaum, art buyer/producer at the Cavalry agency; Liz Baugher, artists’ rep and social media specialist and Nuno Silva, founding member and VP of Stocksy, an artist-owned co-op.
Moderator is Melissa Hennessy, a photography professional and consultant currently with Columbia College. STORY’s EP Cliff Grant moderates the 1:45-2:30 p.m. session, “Marrying Stills and Motion,” with director / photographers Laurie Rubin and Jonathan Chapman, whose respective portfolios display years of work for major advertisers.
Appearing on the 3-3:45 p.m. “Search and Licensing” panel are Doug Dawirs, an award-winning digital asset management expert; Brian Novy, sales director for stock footage company Dissolve and Lisa Vazquez Roper, Almay account and business development manager.
Lunch, snacks and drinks throughout the day will have a Mexican motif and the Cinco de May Happy Hour, sponsored by Workbook, features Mexican beer brands and margaritas.
The day’s finale is a prize drawing for a $1,000 travel certificate and three $300 Amazon, Apple or Cloud Nine gift certificates.
To RSVP to this free event, click here.
