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AES 105th Convention -- San Francisco, USA September 26-29, 1998

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AN AES Q&A ON THE 105TH CONVENTION - SAN FRANCISCO SEPT. 26-29
Co-Chairs David Robinson & Valerie Tyler and AES Executive Director Roger Furness Provide An Advance Look At A Very Special Event

SAN FRANCISCO: With momentum rapidly building for the 105th Audio Engineering Society Convention set for Sept. 26-29 at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center, co-chairs David Robinson and Valerie Tyler and AES Executive Director Roger Furness have prepared an informal overview of the event to anticipate questions about the event.

1. Though the convention is still two months away, are some events emerging as particular highlights?

David Robinson: Several come to mind immediately. We kick-off on Saturday the 26th with Opening Ceremonies designed to honor our peers with the Society's awards. The ceremony will conclude with a keynote speech by Alan Parsons. Credentials as a recording artist, producer, engineer and label executive give Alan Parsons a truly unique perspective on the role the AES plays in the international professional audio industry.

The Bay Area Audio Manufacturers (BAAM) party Saturday evening will welcome 1,600 guests at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Conveniently located right next door to the convention hall, this charming museum and its private garden is one of the most pleasant and accessible environments in San Francisco, and is a perfect venue for a relaxed and totally enjoyable social evening. It is invidious to select any one of the many other excellent special events, but I will anyway! - the Internet2 session on Tuesday the 29th seems especially meaningful. This new widely-supported initiative to rewire America may have as deep an impact on our lives in the 21st century as the Internet has today.

2. Can you point to any especially noteworthy papers or workshops?

David Robinson: Beyond the paper sessions introducing new information on established areas, we are assured of large audiences for a number of other sessions, such as Networks, Audio, and Music on Saturday 26th, Spatial Perception and Processing on Monday 28th, Low Bit Rate Audio Coding also on Monday, and Multichannel Sound on Tuesday 29th.

Valerie Tyler: Mastering in the Face of New Technologies and Audio on DVD will explore cutting edge audio and its effects on the audio world. Field Recording in the Wild and Workstation Control Surfaces will examine both practical and exotic areas of audio which may not be familiar to many attendees.

3. Do you have any recommendations to help attendees make the most of their convention time?

David Robinson/Valerie Tyler: Before the convention, plan your time using the preliminary program. Refer to the AES Web Site (www.aes.org) for up-to-the-minute schedule news. And at the show, use the convention planner in conjunction with the convention program.

Roger Furness: By making better use of color, regrouping subjects in more logically related interest clusters and refining timelines, Han Tendeloo, Chairman of our 104th Convention in Amsterdam this past May, did a wonderful job of helping to design an extremely user-friendly Program Booklet. These changes have been incorporated into the 105th schedule, which can be incredibly helpful to attendees planning their days.

4. On-line registration continues to grow in popularity. Have there been any further refinements to this system or have we reached an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" point?

Valerie Tyler: Online registration is always being tweaked and upgraded. It is up and running, and www.aes.org is the most convenient and efficient way to register for the convention.

5. How are the technical tours shaping up in the very special city of San Francisco?

David Robinson: Technical Tours Chairman Chris Cain has coordinated an outstanding itinerary of seven outstanding tours including a visit to the George Lucas Skywalker Ranch and a tour of the Sonic Solutions facility highlighted by a 'mini seminar' on DVD and demo of DVD authoring technologies. He's also arranged for visits to Dolby Laboratories and Meyer Sound. The Bay Area has so many interesting potential sites that selecting only seven was a real challenge.

Valerie Tyler: Special Events Chairman Ron Streicher has come up with a wonderful musical attraction, an Organ Concert featuring Graham Blyth performing on The Great Organ of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on Monday evening, September 28th. This magnificent instrument features 123 ranks, comprising more than 7200 pipes and the acoustics of the Cathedral will make this an unforgettable event..

6. The word from deputy director convention management Chris Plunkett is that exhibitor response has actually surpassed the 103rd convention. Do you attribute that jump to the obvious attraction to San Francisco, the upward growth trend of the AES, the overall health of the pro audio industry or all of the above?

David Robinson: All of the above. It is amazing to learn from AES Headquarters that the number of committed exhibitors represents a 15% increase over last fall's Convention - all our space is taken, and we have a waiting list.

7. Do you expect overall attendance to rise in proportion to the exhibitors?

David Robinson/Valerie Tyler: Yes, all early indications point to an outstanding turnout.

8. Are there plans for a final salute to the AES Golden Anniversary?

Valerie Tyler: We are creating a video that will look at current trends in audio, and inquire into directions that audio may take in the future. Convention attendees will also be able to view the entertaining, historical video footage previously shown in New York and Amsterdam celebrating the history of the AES.

9. What is being planned for the education fair? And are there any other events that would be of particular interest to students?

Roger Furness: On Sunday from 11:00AM to 1:00PM, we will be holding the popular Education Fair. Representatives from many institutions offering studies in audio will be on hand to provide information on their respective programs. The "table top" presentation area developed for previous AES conventions has proved very effective, and will once again provide the format for this year's Fair.

David Robinson: Also on Sunday morning from 9:00AM to 11:00AM, Education Committee Chairman Roy Pritts will moderate the Education Forum. AES in the Schools, Women in Audio, Educational Facilities and all Student Section activities listed on the AES website will be reviewed.

Valerie Tyler: On Sunday afternoon, the works of selected finalists in "Classical" and"Jazz/Pop" recording will be performed and awards for Outstanding Student Recording in each category will be presented.

10. Any suggestions, areas I may have missed, or personal favorites you'd like to shine a special light on?

Valerie Tyler: "Meet the Technical Council" is a great opportunity for AES members and interested attendees to talk with members of the Technical Committees and find out what the Technical Council is all about.

David Robinson: The "Meet the Technical Council" was very popular at our convention in Amsterdam last May. In fact, the response was so enthusiastic we knew we should repeat the event in San Francisco.

11. Are you pleased with the way things have come together?

Roger Furness: Yes, not only has the San Francisco committee done a stellar job in producing an outstanding technical program, but the enthusiastic response from the exhibitors is a clear indication of their confidence in AES conventions, and of the health of our industry.


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