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Members, Friends, and Colleagues:
Our 30th Annual BESLA Conference is quickly approaching. Wednesday October 20, 2010 - Sunday October 24, 2010. Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten www.westinstmaarten.com
As we are making the final preparations for what is shaping up to be an amazing 30th Anniversary celebration with exciting and informative panel discussions, great networking opportunities and deserving honorees (Percy Sutton, Clarence Avant & Hank Aaron), we want to extend a fantastic opportunity to those who are planning to attend this year's conference but have still not registered.
BESLA is providing you one last chance to register at an incredible rate for the 30th Anniversary Conference offering a great savings on the conference rate!
Pause . . . for a moment and take the time to register for the conference by midnight Friday, September 17, 2010 and pay the special rate of $595!!!!
Register today!!!
Don't miss out on this one time opportunity and save on the current rate and become a part of this year's special celebration.
** Lastly, don't forget to book your hotel room at the special BESLA rate of $129 per night. The cut-off date is September 20, 2010. Please contact the hotel directly when making your reservation and request the BESLA rate!
Lodging and Transportation
The host hotel for the 2010 conference is the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa located in Netherlands Antilles. The hotel is located forty minutes from the Princess Julianna Airport where you will find the property presented along the "lush hillside and embraced by miles of blue hues, acres of tropical colors, and sandy white beach."
Conference hotel room rate: Oceanview $129 Oceanfront $149 (per room/night)
The net rates are based on single or double occupancy and are subject to 10% government tax and 10% hotel service charge. The hotel service charge includes porterage and maid gratuities. Resort Charge Policy: There will be a $10.00 per room per day charge added to the above rates that includes the following: There is a resort fee of $10 dollars that includes in-room coffee, beach chairs, and towels, pool lounge chair, beach towels, unlimited local phone calls, access to the health club and sauna, Jacuzzi and steam facilities in the Hibiscus Spa, energy surcharge and in-room safe. Please contact the hotel for further information. Prices are in USD.
You may secure your room reservation by requesting a reservation form from the BESLA office and faxing it directly to the reservation office.
Fax at: 011 (599) 543-6004 or, E-mail at: reservations_231@columbiasussex.com, or you may Telephone the hotel directly at: 011 (599) 543-6700
The hotel cancellation policies are - 15 days or more prior to arrival, the hotel will deduct two (2) nights deposit; 14 days or less prior to arrival, full payment will be forfeited, and early departures will be charged for the entire stay. Individual guest's payments are accepted by VISA, Mastercard, and American Express only. The hotel will allow two (2) people per room. Extra adults, $25 will be charged per person per day (age 18 and older). Rollaway beds are charged $15 per day.
Starwood Preferred Guest Category 4. Please note: This hotel has Limited Participation in the Starwood Preferred Guest® program. Check in: 03:00 PM Check out: 12:00 PM
Airlift - American Airlines
American Airlines is offering our attendees a 5% discount off the lowest applicable published air fare. Valid dates are October 15- 29, 2010 for travel to St Maarten. To make a discount reservation, please call the Meeting Services Desk at 1-800-433-1790 from anywhere in the United States or Canada or go to American Airlines www.aa.com and refer to your Promotion Code . . . 51H0AU. International originating guests will need to call their local reservations number and refer to the Promotion Code. There will also be a separate ticketing charge of $20.00 USD for tickets purchased via the phone or $30.00 USD for tickets purchased at the airport. This amount is subject to change. At this time there is no ticketing fee for reservations made and ticketed on American Airlines. The percentage discount can be booked on-line at www.aa.com for American Airlines and American Eagle flights only.
Ground Transportation:
Caribbean Concierge Services (CCS) is offering the following: $43.00 per person, round trip fare from the airport to the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa. Guests will be met by a CCS representative outside the arrival hall at Princess Juliana International Airport. Portage is not included in the transportation price. However, bottled water will be available on the vehicle.
To reserve your transportation, contact Danika Liburd in advance at 011-599-542-2726 (or 2727), or at coordinator@ccs-sxm.com You will be asked to complete a form detailing your travel requirements and to submit your credit card information confirming your ground transportation needs and receive additional information.
If you prefer, taxi rates from the airport to the Westin are approximately $35.00 per person, one way. Travel time from the airport to the Westin Dawn Beach Resort is approximately 40 minutes.
Avis car rental, a partner of our official airline carrier, American Airlines offers affordable car rental rates. American Airlines and Avis Rent A Car have joined together to offer a program designed to fulfill all of your transportation needs. We invite you to use the Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number assigned to our group to receive the best available rates from Avis. AWD: G027999
The group discount number is designed to shop the best available rate, includes unlimited mileage and is available from seven days before to seven days after the event. Reservations should be made by calling Avis directly at (888) 754-8878 or by using the link provided below.
https://www.avis.com/AvisWeb/reservation/ReservationsInitializer?&AWD_NUMBER=G027999
BESLA@30 Conference Agenda
(Speakers and sessions are subject to change)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
MUSIC - 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Session 1A
The Sweet Sound of Consummation: Representing Producers,
Songwriters and Composers in Recording Artist Projects
Moderator: Tanya Mitchell Graham, Esq., Attorney, Law Office of Tanya Mitchell Graham, .P.C.
Panelists: Bernie Lawrence Watkins, Esq., Attorney and Counselor at Law, B. Lawrence Watkins and Associates, P.C., Diana Lynch, Esq., Founder, Lynch Law Group, P.C., Kobie Brown, Esq., Director of Licensing and Business Affairs Administrator, Sony/BMG
This panel will explore creative solutions to practical problems encountered in the legal representation of producers, songwriters and composers in negotiating song placements on artist projects.
- What terms should counsel master in the negotiations?
- What rights should be retained?
- What are the fair compromises?
- How has the new music business model affected Artist - Producer dealings?
SPORTS
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Session 1B
Developments in New Media and the Legal Impact in Sports
Moderator: Derrick Heggans, Esq., Managing Director, The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Sports Business Initiative
This panel will explore the various new distribution platforms for sports programming and the legal developments in the changes governing online sports viewing.
TELEVISION
9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. - Session 2
Pulling Back the Curtain on Reality Television Negotiations
Moderator: Darrell D. Miller, Esq. Partner, Fox Rothschild, LLP, Co-Chair Entertainment and Sports Law Practice
Panelist: Demondre Edwards, Esq., Director - Business and Legal Affairs, Comcast, E!, Erika Munro Kennerly, Esq., Senior Director of Business Affairs/truTV, Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, Esq., Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs, BET Networks
- Negotiating and structuring the reality show deal and the key terms and provisions for talent and producers
- What's real and what's scripted?
- How to pitch a reality TV show
- A look at the current television landscape from MTV's Real World to Jersey Shore to Housewives
MUSIC - 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Session 3A
They're Playing My Song! The Truth about
the Sound Recording Performance Rights Act
Moderator: Kendall A. Minter, Esq., Entertainment Attorney, Minter and Associates
Panelists: Steven M. Marks, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel, RIAA, L.L.C., Leron E. Rogers, Partner, Hewitt and Rogers
This panel will provide a current legislative update in the battle for a performance right in sound recordings and examine both sides and the overall legal implications for artists, labels and radio stations.
TELEVISION - 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Session 3B
TV's New Model: Broadcast vs. Cable
Moderator: Willard Stanback, Esq., Senior Vice President, Scripps Network
Panelists: Inga Dyer, Esq., Senior Counsel, BET Networks, Business and Legal Affairs, Tony Brackett, Esq., Executive Director, Business Affairs, Licensing and Permissions, ABC News
- How does the cable television business model differ from traditional broadcast television?
- How are cable and TV deals structured and financed; what are the key terms and provisions to look out for in deal making for cable and broadcast TV.
- What opportunities are available for legal, business and creative professionals in each industry and how have they changed over the last few decades?
- Can free television still exist and be profitable? What additional rights are networks seeking to exploit content?
- How do you maximize the brand in the free television world vs. the cable television world?
FRIDAY, October 22, 2010
MUSIC - 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Session 4
The Social Network and the New Independent Music Model
Moderator: J. Martin Lett, Esq. Partner, Register, Lett LLP
Panelists: Bryan Calhoun, Esq. SoundExchange, Nancy J. Taylor, Esq., Lead Counsel/VP of Business and Legal Affairs, Myspace Records, Bakari Brock, Esq., Legal Counsel, Twitter
The panelists will discuss:
- MySpace to Tunecore: Alternative distribution options for independent labels and artists
- How social networking and mobile technology impact the way consumers discover new music
- The essentials for developing a legally sound strategic plan for utilizing the internet and all digital platforms
- Digital Rights Management and Net Neutrality
SPORTS
9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. - Session 5
Social Responsibility and the Global Impact of Sports
Moderator: Kenneth L. Shropshire, Esq., David W. Hauck Professor; Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics; Director, Wharton Sports Business Initiative
Panelists: Troy D. Vincent, NFL Vice President of Player Development andformer National Football League player, Jeffrey Orridge, Chief Operating Officer, Right to Play (invited)
- How sports have affected more than just scoreboards around the world
- Legal aspects of league conduct policies
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Session 6A
BESLA@30: A 3-D Look at the Evolution of the Entertainment Lawyer
Moderator Louise West, Esq., President and CEO, Phoenix Media (BESLA Founder)
Panelist: Johnetta G. Paye, Esq., Founding Partner, J. Paye and Associates, Charles King, Esq., William Morris Endeavor, Edward L. Woods, Esq., Law Office of Edward L. Woods, LLC and ELW Productions, Louise Cummings, Esq., Vice President Operations, BLP/IMG Agency
- A comprehensive look at the practice of entertainment law and how the role of attorneys has evolved throughout the entertainment industry
- Examination of traditional, current and alternative careers for the next generation of BESLA attorneys
FINANCIAL - 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Session 6B
Building a Solid Game Plan: Financial Planning for Sports and Entertainment Professionals (Getting Your Clients' and Your Own Affairs in Order)
Moderator: Ted Reid, III, CIMA, Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Panelist: Charlene L. Usher, Esq., Principal and Managing Attorney, Usher Law Group, Legacy and Estate Planning
- Managing Assets and Financial Planning for all entertainment professionals, including executive planning for artists, managers
- How do you treat the assets of an entertainment professional versus the assets of a lawyer with a general practice?
- Critical legal aspects of Wills and Estates
ETHICS
2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. - Session 7
Gender Discrimination in the Industry: Has Hip-Hop Fueled a Fire?
Moderator: Carol Y. Guess, Esq., Owner, The Guess Firm, P.L.L.C.
Panelists: Kamille Wolff, Esq., Professor, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Dominick Cromartie, Esq., Litigation Associate, Employment and Labor, Davis and Gilbert
- The panel will discuss the effects of hip-hop culture on the workplace environment in regard to the treatment and promotion of women of color within corporations, while representing clients, and the current status of the law regarding gender discrimination
- How employers and employees may legally safeguard themselves against either charges of gender or sexual discrimination or being discriminated against or harassed because of gender
SATURDAY, October 23, 2010
SPORTS
9:00 am - 10:30 a.m. - Session 8A
Playing the Field: Athletes, their Lawyers and Agents
Moderator: Hal Biagas, Esq., Wasserman Media Group, LLC
An examination of the evolution of the player-representative relationship over the past three decades and the present day challenges faced by lawyers concerning this century's stars and their "management teams".
- The challenges in representing and branding players today.
- Do today's sophisticated players still need agency representation?
LITIGATION
9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. - Session 8B
Elevating Your IQ on IP Matters: Current Intellectual Property Case Law and Trends
This panel will provide a comprehensive review of the current trends in music copyright case law and their impact on the practice of entertainment attorneys and business professionals.
Moderator: James Trigg, Esq., Partner, Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP
Panelist: Yakub Hazzard, Esq., Partner, Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi LLP, Co-chair, Entertainment and Media Litigation, Peter Haviland, Esq., Partner in the Litigation Department in Kaye Scholer, Stanley Pierre-Louis, Esq. , Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property and Content Protection, Viacom Inc.
MUSIC - 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Session 9
Music Matters: An Examination of the Current State
of the Music Business and a look at the Future
Moderator: Matthew J. Middleton, Partner, Simon, Eisenberg and Baum, LLP, Entertainment Law Practice Group
Panelists: Clarence Avant, Interior Music Corp BMI, Jon Platt, Executive Vice President, North America Creative, EMI Music Publishing
360 Deals and the Multi-Media Conglomerates -
Examining Their Rise, Potential Conflicts, and Legal Pitfalls
This panel will explore the rise of the 360 Deals in the music industry as well as its effects from the Artist and Label's Perspective.
Moderator: Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, Esq., Entertainment Attorney, B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, PC
Panelists: James "Jazzy' Jordan, Executive Vice President/General Manager of Verity Records, Robert Celestin, Esq., Entertainment Attorney, Law Office of Robert A. Celestin, Denise Brown, Esq., Entertainment Attorney, Law Office of Denise Brown
Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, Inc.
is a non profit membership association
P.O. Box 441485 ~ Fort Washington, Maryland 20749-1485
URL: www.besla.org ~ beslamailbox@aol.com ~
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