Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Board of Directors Annual Meeting

October 22 – 26, 2008 BESLA Fishing Tournament

• Details and registration at the Conference Registration Desk
  • Half Day (4 hours)
  • 3/4 Day (6 hours)
  • Full Day (8 hours)
  • Marlin Trip (10 hours)
    

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

3rd Annual Golf Tournament Outing
Mahogany Run Golf Course – St. Thomas
(separate registration – see form included)

Welcome to Charlotte Amalie!  
Hosted and Sponsored by: St. Thomas Office of Tourism

Entertainment by: Spectrum and Caribbean Ritual Dancers
(Included in registration)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Stretch Lift and Work it out! 
Rise and Shine for your early morning
Exercise and Boot camp with Kelvin Delmar
Sponsored by: K & L Gates, LLP

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Morning Sessions

Session I – The Art of the Book Deal: Converting an option for a Television Pilot or Movie into Reality

Moderator: Anthony “Tony” Brackett, Esq., Executive Director, Licensing & Permissions, ABC News

Participant: Nicholas Lewis, Esq., Partner, Law Office of Nicholas Roman Lewis

Panel Description: This panel will discuss self publishing, securing publishing deals for authors and advanced contract negotiation terms, including advancements, royalties, etc. At what point do authors grant options?  Understand the benefits and drawbacks of self-publishing versus a major publisher arrangement and analyze payment structures you may utilize.

Session II – “Its All Fun & Games Until Someone Gets a Letter from the Bar”

Moderator: Richard Manson, Esq., Partner, Manson & Associates

Panelists: Paul Sweeney, Jr., Esq., Partner, Kilpatrick, Lockhart & Gates; Kendall Minter, Esq., Partner, Minter and Associates, LLC

Panel Description:  You’ve heard it before but it bears repeating: representing high profile entertainment clients, individuals and corporations present complex ethical issues for attorneys. Among other things, understand the challenges and learn strategies to manage celebrity client substance abuse issues; entourage risk issues; the media spotlight, and gag orders; confidentiality issues and to enforce confidentiality agreements related to your client’s matters.

10:15 a.m. –
11:45 a.m.

Power Session

Session III – “The Future of Sports on TV”

Moderator: Chey Blake, Esq., Enterprises & Transactions Counsel, Legal & Business Affairs, A&E Television Networks

Panelists: Wil Reeder, Esq., Sr. Counsel, ESPN; Joe Pierce, Esq., Vice President & Associate General Counsel, Comcast Sports Group; Keven Davis, Esq., Partner, Garvey Schubert Barer

Panel Description: What are the key “must haves” in contract negotiations for exclusive sports broadcasting arrangements now and in the future?  Why are all the networks making digital rights a big component of contract negotiations?  How are networks leveraging the content beyond the initial broadcasts?  This panel will discuss how the sports media landscape is being reshaped by rights fees demands when advertising revenues are declining and there is more competition than ever among the networks for content. 

Lunch on your own

2:00 p.m. –
3:30 p.m.

Afternoon Sessions

Session IV – “The Business of International Entertainment: Taking Your Client’s Brand and Content Worldwide”

Moderator: Sonya Johnston, Esq., Sr. Attorney, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division

Panelists: Ray Ferrell, Esq., Vice President and Senior Counsel, American Express; Darrell D. Miller, Esq., Partner, Mason and Miller, LLP; Audrea J. Golding, Esq., Senior Attorney, California offices of Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

Panel Description: How are entertainment products and brands launched worldwide?  How do you advise your client regarding foreign performances and endorsement deals?  When do you need foreign counsel? What law applies? Learn what you need to know when providing legal advice and guidance as your client’s launch their brand and/or content internationally.  Understand how deals are done to get your client or brand on the international stage, and the interplay of entertainment, commercial law, e-commerce, digital distribution, contract interpretation, advertising, and intellectual property law.

Session V – “Who are the New Gatekeepers of Music? Saving the Internet - Net Neutrality” - Sponsored by SESAC
                                   
Moderator: Leron Rogers, Esq., Partner, Hewitt & Rogers

Participant: Michael Bracy, Esq., Partner, Bracy, Tucker, Brown & Valanzano 

Panel Description:  How do you prevent ISP’s from interfering with the flow of information on the Internet? Who pays the cost for increasing broadband traffic, and should broadband providers have the power to restrict certain content that slows down their networks? Who pays for content (music, television, movies, videos, books) transferred over Internet networks?  What types of deals are cell phone carriers doing to creatively secure content they sell to their customers? Will the peer to peer versus the major corporations battle every go away?  What bills are currently being introduced and what cases are being litigated?

Student Roundtable Session

In and Outs of Entertainment and Sports Law 101:
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a round table discussion where the panel will candidly address questions and concerns of law students interested in becoming sports and entertainment professionals. Moreover, panelists will address fundamental issues and laws that sports and entertainment professionals handle for their clients, different routes to enter the industry of sports and entertainment as a professional and what it is like working a day in the trenches as a sports and/or entertainment lawyer, solo practitioner, in house counsel or firm associate/partner.

Roundtable Moderator: Louise Cummings, Esq.
Round table participants: Tabetha D. Plummer, Esq.; Uwonda S. Carter, Esq.; Lisa Bonner, Esq.; Wendy R. Credle, Esq.; Jill E. Ramsey, Esq.; Omara S. Harris, Esq.; James D. Williams, Esq.

Afternoon and Dinner on your own – Book an island tour, Spa by the Beach, Visit neighboring islands, shop or simply relax!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Stretch, Lift and Work it out! 
Rise and Shine for your early morning
Exercise and Boot camp with Kelvin Delmar
Sponsored by: K & L Gates, LLP

Session VI – “The Power of the Union in the TV & Film Industries”

Moderator: Amaryllis Seabrooks, Esq., Director, Legal Affairs, Discovery Communications

Panelists: Mickey Carter, Vice President, National Accounts, Fox News Channel; Samantha Grant, Esq., Partner, Mitchell, Silverberg & Knupp, LLP

Panel Description: A photo finish deal just in time for the Oscars but how do negotiations with unions in the entertainment industry affect your writer, production company, television, network and studio clients? Learn which issues caused the strike, the resolution of the dispute and the legal implications to consider when advising your client in this new framework.

Session VII – “Protecting Entertainment IP: User Generated Content & The Impact of Digital Media”

Moderator:  Elke Flores Suber, Esq., Sr. Attorney, Windows Live - Legal & Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Corporation

Panelists: Stanley Pierre-Louis, Esq., Vice President & Associate General Counsel, IP & Content Protection, Viacom

Panel Description: Understand how the proliferation of user generated content web sites, the release of the iPhone, iPod Touch and Zune devices, and the advent of free and ad-supported download web sites affect your ability to protect your client’s intellectual property.  This panel will discuss significant cases (e.g. Viacom v. Youtube, Perfect 10) and the changing landscape for new technologies, UGC and entertainment content.  Learn how businesses plan to capitalize on these technological developments, how to identify and address important issues and strategic practice and negotiation considerations.

Session VIII – “Off the Record & Outside the Lines - The Future of Music &
Sports Paradigm” - Sponsored by Haven Media Group, LLC

Moderator: Palisa Kelley, Esq., Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs, ATV Sony Music Publishing

Panelists: Londell McMillan, Esq., Partner, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP; James Grooms, Esq., General Counsel, Jazz at Lincoln Center; Erin Patton, President and CEO of The Mastermind Group, LLC; Lawrence M. ("Larry") Drake II, Chief Executive Officer and President of Haven Media Group, LLC

Panel Description: While labels continue to mine traditional revenue streams, artists are breaking ranks and leveraging their talent to create their own opportunities with unconventional alliances and new business models.  This panel will explore the types of deals being made, the terms being negotiated and the legal issues being navigated to allow artists to achieve success and generate revenues outside the confines of standard recording contracts.

Power Luncheon featuring:  Hill Harper, Actor
Harbor Ballroom IV
(Included in registration)

Afternoon Sessions

Session IX – “Regulation of Athlete Conduct: Discipline Issues & Procedures”

Moderator: Arthur McAfee, Esq., Staff Counsel, NFLPA

Panelists: Adolpho Birch, Vice President, Labor Relations Council, National Football League; Lamont Jones, Esq., General Counsel, U.S. Track & Field

Panel Description: "Sure (s)he's high-strung but can they really do that to my client?!"  Balancing an athlete's privacy with the regulation of conduct continues to be a pretty contentious subject.  Understand the rules and disciplinary sanctions leagues and associations may impose on athletes for, among other things, in-game conduct; gambling and drug use, criminal conduct and other off-the-field actions.

Session X – “Advertising: The Convergence of TV, Film & Technology”

Moderator: Stephen Chukumba, Partner, Director of Business Development, DOT.TUNES

Panelists: Darrick Suber, Executive Vice President, Global Grind; Ted Gizeweski, Esq., Sr. Attorney, Legal & Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Corporation

Panel Description: Advertising in the digital age requires a deep level of sophistication and knowledge. Consumers are becoming increasingly discerning in their tastes, and a combination of technology, television and film have created both new opportunities and challenges for artists and entertainment companies to market, promote and sell entertainment and other products. Today’s interactive advertising model requires a deep understanding of impressions, ratings, web site analytics, email and mobile marketing, social networks and online communities, e-commerce, SEO, search engine marketing and web site optimization. This panel will discuss global advertising and marketing in the digital age with a focus on the proper use of digital tools to better connect with fans and promote, produce and create new revenue opportunities for artists and labels alike. The panel will also discuss key legal points of negotiation when doing advertising and marketing deals for online properties.

Afternoon and Dinner on your own – Book an island tour, Spa by the Beach, visit neighboring islands, shop or simply relax!

Friday Night – The Great  House (off site)
Music by: DJ Goldfinger

BESLA and Island Def Jam
– Sponsors and Co-Hosts

(Included in registration)

Stretch Lift and Work it out!
Rise and Shine for your early morning
Exercise and Boot camp with Kelvin Delmar
Sponsored by: K & L Gates, LLP

Morning Sessions

Session XI – “Team Operations Forum”

Panelists: Max Siegel, Esq., President of Global Operations, Dale Earnhardt, Inc.; Larry Miller, President of Business Operations, Portland Trailblazers; Kevin Warren, Esq., Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Minnesota Vikings

Panel Description:  Ticket revenues, athlete and franchise perception, corporate sponsors, acquisitions and legal exposure are just a few of the issues team executives address -- and that may just be for today’s “To Do” list. Join us as a few executives discuss the current issues of operating a sports franchise and how counsel can be more of an asset in facilitating the business of sports.

Session XII – “From the Law Degree to the Shingle - Launching your Practice”

Moderator: Heather Nelson-Beverly, Esq., Partner, Law Offices of Heather Nelson, P.C.
Panelists: James Elam, Esq., Partner, Elam Law Firm; Sean A. J. Johnson, Esq., Programming Strategist & Executive Producer, BETJ

Panel Description: Have you ever wanted to be your own boss?  What type of infrastructure do you need and how do you set up your company for tax purposes?  What are the implications of clients  leaving with you if you are already with a firm?  What type of E&O and Malpractice insurance will you need?  What are the overall costs?  What type of outside network should you have in place before you branch out on your own?  What can you do to pay the bills aside from  an entertainment  and sports practice?  What are the benefits and the risks?  This panel discussion will be a comprehensive look at setting up an entertainment or  sports law practice.  Hear from attorneys who have branched out and established their own practices and pick up tips that could help you should you be contemplating the same thing.

Power Session
                                                           
Session XIII – “Music as Service”

Moderator: Bryan Calhoun, Label Management Systems

Panelists: Ann Chaitovitz, Executive Director, Future of Music Coalition; Peter Jenner, Secretary, International Music Managers Forum; Tim Quirk, Vice President, Music Programming, Rhapsody

Panel Description: The worlds of technology and music have often times been at odds in terms of creating systems to distribute and monetize music. New platforms are constantly rolling out and existing services are expanding with more content providers and consumers getting on board.  Proposals for monetization, once thought radical, are garnering more attention. With an eye on Washington, panelists will address how market forces and public policy established by our legislature will affect the future integration of music, technology, consumer choice and intellectual property law. They will also discuss efforts to protect and assist artists and the policy trends that will affect the business of music.

Afternoon on your own – Book an island tour, Spa by the Beach, visit neighboring islands, shop or simply relax!

Gala Banquet Reception 
Harbor Ballroom Foyer

Gala Banquet & Awards Program – Grand Harbor Ballroom I & II

2008 BESLA Excellence Award Presentation

Mr. Max Siegel
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
2008 BESLA Excellence Award Recipient

Gala Keynote Speaker

Dessert – Harbor Ballroom Foyer

(Included in registration) – Individual gala tickets are available for sale

Depending on the state in which you are licensed, you may obtain up to one full year of CLE credits for attending the seminars, sessions and workshops. BESLA is an approved provider for MCLE credits in California. Application will be submitted to provide CLE credits for the following states: Florida, Georgia,  North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Delaware.  All questions regarding MCLE should be directed to BESLA at beslamailbox@aol.com.  Please note, all moderators and panelists are confirmed (unless otherwise noted).  However, seminar topics, moderators, and/or panelists are subject to change.

Online Membership other Registrations. Do not re-enter your payment online twice. If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact the BESLA office listed on the payment page.

Annual Conference and BESLA related activities (fund raisers are exempt.) Conference registration fees are based on BESLA membership categories. Your membership must be current in order for you to take advantage of the member registration fee. Full registration for the BESLA Annual Conference includes many MCLE accredited educational sessions and several networking functions. Registration forms submitted via mail must be postmarked on or before September 30, 2008 to qualify prior to the on-site registration rate. Registrations submitted via fax or the Internet must be date/time stamped by 11:59 p.m. (eastern standard time) on or before October 13, 2008.

*Advance registrations are defined as any payment made prior to on-site registration.

Full payment must be received with your registration form. Make checks payable to BESLA or charge your registration to American Express, Visa, Master Card. Registrations without complete payment will not be processed. No refunds will be granted. Refunds are not granted for no-shows. Registrations are non-transferable and substitutions are not allowed. No exceptions.

The Full Conference Registration Badge will afford access to the following functions: (A) ALL BESLA sponsored educational activities (i.e., conference seminars, panels, roundtables and other program activities) AND (B) the Meal and Function Only Badge" activities listed below.

The "Meal and Function” Badge will afford access ONLY to the following functions: (A) the welcome reception; (B) all brunches, luncheons; (C) any BESLA sponsored entertainment activity include on the registration materials and (D) the Annual Gala Reception and Dinner.