Okay, so you know that DV Expo 2009 is taking place September 22-22, 2009, at the Pasadena Convention Center in California. You also know that DV Expo is the Big Event for the digital video production industry; not just for television, but Hollywood feature films too. And you really want to be there, but don't know what reasons to give your boss (or, if you are the boss, your accountant) to justify the trip... even though the knowledge and contacts you'll make at DV Expo will recoup any expenses many times over!

As a public service, DV magazine has provided you with many such reasons. But we didn't write them. Instead, these reasons were given to us by people who are going to DV Expo 2009.

James Mathers, Digital Cinema Society

"As a cinematographer and president of the nonprofit educational cooperative Digital Cinema Society, I am challenged to keep on top of the latest entertainment technology trends," says James Mathers. (You can learn more about the cooperative by going to www.DigitalCinemaSociety.org). "By gathering key industry experts and leading manufacturers together at a convenient time and location, DV Expo provides a valuable service that helps me to efficiently stay up-to-date," he notes. "The people I want to see are at DV Expo, and so is the gear I need to check out, right there and then, available for hands-on demos. I have been attending for many years, and try to never miss this important annual industry event."

Philip Hodgetts, Intelligent Assistance

"Trade shows like DV Expo are a great way to learn new information and network," says Philip Hodgetts. He is President of Intelligent Assistance (www.intelligentassistance.com). Based in Burbank, Intelligent Assistance specializes in assisted editing products and consulting help for NLE workflow, creative effects, streaming and podcasting. "There's no real substitute to face-to-face teaching from industry leaders with their carefully prepared presentations, plus you have the opportunity to interact with the teacher and ask your questions," Hodgetts tells DV magazine. "Plus these teachers have their pulse on the industry and will be the first to reveal new workflows and ideas getting established. Expos and trade shows present a unique opportunity to directly compare camera gear, lighting or editing/post solutions."

That's not the only reason to attend DV Expo, he asserts: "Without a doubt the most important reason to be at a trade show is to network -- with vendors on the show floor and with your peers on the show floor, over coffee or in one of the many sessions open to the general public. This is a network-based business and a trade show presents a great opportunity to network."

"Finally, there's the 'serendipity factor'," Hodgetts concludes. "Serendipity -- the art of discovering something wonderful while actually looking for something else -- happens at expos and shows because you're out of your ordinary routine, exposed to new people and new ideas in ways that you just aren't in the normal day-to-day grind of making a living."

The bottom line: Phillip Hodgetts believes in DV Expo. That's why he is not just attending, but taking part in five panels there.

Jay Holben, Adakin Productions

"The conference sessions at Digital Video Expo are carefully designed to give the attendees the most bang for their buck possible," declares Jay Holben. He is Director/Producer at Adakin Productions in Los Angeles, and Technical Editor of DV Magazine. Holben's latest project is the documentary look at the world of online sex workers entitled CamGirls.

Baxk to DV Expo, where Jay Holben will be taking part in seven conference sessions: "The conference hosts are all knowledgeable, experienced and ready and willing to share," Holben says. "We try very hard to formulate and organize the sessions for the best results in getting out the most valuable and practical information possible. Professionals and aspiring professionals, alike, can benefit greatly from the conference sessions and walk away with a wealth of solid information
. I'm very proud to participate in Digital Video Expo for my third year and look forward to sharing all the tools and tidbits I possibly can."

Lauren Selman, Reel Green Media

As founder and CEO of Reel Green Media (www.reelgreenmedia.com), Lauren Selman is on a mission to reduce the entertainment industry's impact on the environment. (And let's face it; a environmentally-responsible production gets good press.) However, when you ask her why she's attending DV Expo - in fact, Selman is even giving a presentation here - she is all business.

"It is important to attend conferences like DV Expo for multiple reasons.," says Lauren Selman. "One, it connects you to your community. You can meet people, network, find out the latest innovations and trends. Two, it gets you out of yourself and out learning more. The best thing we can do for ourselves and especially in this economy is learn, learn, learn!"

"In my section, [which is] about greening, I hope to bring people the knowledge and resources necessary to decrease the environmental impact of their industry," she adds. "What are the choices that we are making that has use in the same habits that we have been in? What are the biggest obstacles? What are our biggest opportunities. The best way for us to know is to talk about it. The solutions to the future of our industry begins in our conversations. Therefore, it is important [to attend conventions] for our industry and our planet!"

Michael Horton, LA Final Cut Pro User Group

Michael Horton belongs to the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group (www.lafcpug.org). His reason for attending DV Expo is short and sweet: "Online social networks are fine and good up to a point, but where else can you meet total strangers in one setting that not only share the same passion you do but want to learn as much as you do," he asks. "There is no substitute for face to face human interaction."

Paul Holtz, Class on Demand

"There are countless reasons why industry professionals should attend conferences like DV Expo," says Paul Holtz, Founder & CEO of Class on Demand. He is not only attending DV Expo, but hosting a sessions called, 'The Art of the Interview'. "As competition continues to tighten in today's marketplace, staying informed on technological advancements is crucial for

the optimization of both skill set and profit," Holtz says. "DV Expo gives cinematographers, editors, producers and videographers alike a plethora of educational opportunities, including certification programs and a wide-array of industry-focused, information-packed sessions that help strengthen marketability."

"Exposure to new products from a large assembly of companies is also interesting to see from both the attendee and exhibitor's point of view," he adds. "Learning about the upcoming trends in both hardware and software can improve the workflow of both attendee and exhibitor. I always look forward to discussing business opportunities with professional peers."

That's not all, Holtz says: "Industry professionals should also take advantage of the immense networking opportunities that exist at conventions like DV Expo. Interaction with prominent keynotes and top-tier organizations can open doors to a variety of networking opportunities."

Jessica Sitomer a.k.a. The Greenlight Coach

Jessica Sitomer is the 'Greenlight Coach' (www.thegreenlightcoach.com). "As The Greenlight Coach, it is my job to get people working in the entertainment industry, and the best way to do that is to get YOU networking with the right people," she tells DV magazine. "I find the number one obstacle that most people encounter, is the inability to find the right contacts. DV Expo is designed specifically to educate people on digital video. This means that anyone who works in or may work in the digital arena one day, needs to attend. This would include producers, directors, camera departments and editors. An Expo is the ideal place to find the maximum amount of people in a short period of time to grow your contacts and expand your visibility in the industry."

This is note the first time Jessica Sitomer has answered this question. "Here's what I posted on my blog (www.thegreenlightcoach.com/cms/content/blogsection/1/9/) after receiving the following question from a director," she says. "'I hear you're the Keynote speaker at the DV Expo. Very cool! You know I'm a director, should I go?'"

In response, Sitomer wrote on her blog, "Everyone in the entertainment industry should go! It's a Digital Video Expo which means, anyone who works directly with digital video, wants to work with someone who works with digital video, and/or wants to meet someone who works with digital video AND may know someone you want to meet, MUST BE THERE."

"Not only will there be cool techie stuff to check out, there will be educational programming (including yours truly doing the keynote speech on 'the business side of the business' and a breakout room on 'the keys to success at a networking event')," Sitomer's blog continues. "And of course, in my book, the number one reason to attend the DV Expo is because it is an opportunity to network with thousands of people. That means that you can potentially add 100 new contacts to your contact list. In question 157 [on her blog], I was asked the 'minimum number of people one should know'. I answered '100' ... You can meet them ALL in 1-3 days! Get your butt to the DV Expo!"

Conclusion: Getting Your Butt to DV Expo 2009 in One Simple Step

As I mentioned at the start of this story, DV Expo 2009 is taking place September 22-24, 2009, at the Pasadena Convention Center. You can find out more, including how to register, by going to www.dvexpo.com. Considering all the good reasons for going - as noted above - attending DV Expo 2009 is the reasonable thing to do!