by Jim Remar
Chair of the GSCA Board of Directors
CEO Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas
October 25, 2023—It is my privilege to bring to you this year's chair report to the membership meeting. I can't underscore enough the importance of membership to the association.
2023 has been a very busy year for the Association, of which the members have benefited greatly. From the Film Expo to camera testing to webinars to the do’s and don'ts of best practices, the GSCA has provided the membership with countless pieces of data, tidbits, and information that have allowed us all to improve the operation of our theater.
There are four areas that I'd like to highlight for the membership.
- After weathering the storm of the pandemic, I am happy to report that the financial condition of the association is very stable. It took a lot of hard work on the part of staff, but it's refreshing to know that after a couple of tumultuous years, the financial condition of the association is very good.
- The association recently held its annual conference, with Dome Day kicking off in Cincinnati and the annual sessions in Indianapolis. I'd like to thank our hosts, the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Indiana State Museum. From all accounts, it was a wonderful conference that provided the membership with seminars, information, best practices, and films—and maybe a little bit of fun as well. I want to thank staff, our hosts, as well as the planning committee for all the work that went in to making this year's conference such a huge success. I look forward to seeing everybody in 2024.
- The GSCA recently engaged with the Morey Group to conduct research data on the position of the giant screen theater industry. This information will allow theaters to understand the condition of the industry and how theaters are positioned nationally. But more importantly, if a theater chooses, that information can go down to the micro level to allow the theater to understand how it relates to its own demographics, but more importantly, to the aggregate. I am really excited by some of the early results, and I look forward to sharing more data with membership. I think this is a very important step and something that we need to continue to keep at the forefront as we continue to go forward.
- ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) recently completed its annual conference as well in Charlotte, and the GSCA had a strong presence there. Following from years past, most recently in Pittsburgh, where my predecessor, Alan Nursall, held a meet-up with industry CEOs. this year we did the same. We were able to provide a prime spot where CEO attendees were able to come and hear about the state of the industry. It was an informal meet-and-greet cocktail reception, and I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Christofer Nelson and the ASTC for allowing the GSCA this opportunity. It was a great experience for those in attendance to listen about the state of the industry, to hear a little bit about the Morey Research, and to hear both the good and the bad, what's working and what isn't. There were over 60 attendees, and the conversation was great. I look forward to an additional CEO meet-up in 2024.
I'd like to thank the staff. I'd like to thank Tammy Barrett and Kelly Germain, whose countless hours have allowed all of us to benefit greatly. The time that both Kelly and Tammy put into the association is invaluable. It provides all of us with the tools and the information that allow us to improve our theaters on a daily basis.
I'd like to thank you the membership again—the backbone and lifeblood of the association.
Finally, I'd like to thank the board of directors and the committees. I am happy to report that the future is really bright. I'm very excited about 2024 and what the industry holds for us. I want to thank all of you. I appreciate your support of the association and I look forward to continuing to work with you and the GSCA in years to come.
View the recording of Jim's report here: