News & Notices

Moments & Memories of USITT 2016

USITT 2016 in Salt Lake City drew 4,500 attendees and 274 exhibitors to the Salt Palace Convention Center March 16-19. It was so successful that 180 exhibitors had re-booked by USITT 2017 in St. Louis by the time the event ended.

It also offered some special presentations, presenters, events, and instances that made it unique. Here’s a sampling:

Three new fellows were inducted during the Conference opening on Wednesday, March 16. Rachel Keebler -- pictured as Fellows Chair Randy Earle presented her ribbon -- along with Dave Will and Stephanie Young were welcomed to the ranks of USITT Fellows.	Immediate Past USITT President Lea Asbell-Swanger received the 2016 Joel E. Rubin Founders Award. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart," she told the crowd. "And I challenge everyone one of you here to be mindful this week of the lives you touch and the lives that touch you, because you never know in advance how impactful a single encounter will be."
Keynote presenter Tupac Martir literally danced around the stage as he demonstrated some of his work, including video of his designs for the late Alexander McQueen’s fashion shows and his work with Mogees, a new software and vibration sensor that turns everyday objects into musical instruments. “Look behind you!” he exclaimed. “There’s someone playing your chair!”	Steve Younkins, the sound designer who created Q2Q Comics, spoke at the Young Designers & Technicians Awards and held a Saturday book-signing for his first collection. “I was here last year signing prints and they kept calling it a book-signing, but there was no book,” he said. “And now there’s a book!”

The New Products Showcase on Opening Night created lots of excitement for brand new gear about to debut on the Stage Expo floor the next day.

Flying Ace Productions sent their trampoline team to entertain the crowd eagerly awaiting the opening of Stage Expo on Thursday, March 17.
Exhibitors had lines at their booths as they fielded questions from attendees seeking information … and swag.	There were many hands-on educational sessions to choose from...

and panel discussions that ranged from the Women in Theatre Roundtable to The Arts Are for Everyone, which explored how access and inclusion can enhance the arts for all.
Stage Expo drew crowds with lots of exciting new products and 53 new exhibitors.	Many people said they found common ground in networking sessions and made friends they hope to keep for many USITT Conferences to come!