By Dave Ferrara, HRTS Executive Director
I would think that I am probably in the minority when I say that I truly love moving! Okay...I can do without the whole packing and carrying of boxes part of it. And I'll admit that all the dust that's raised wreaks havoc with my allergies. But over the year's I've learned to embrace the opportunities that avail themselves when you pull the dresser out from the wall and discover the hidden treasures that you may have not noticed in a while.
And how about the opportunity to get rid of some of the junk you may have accumulated over the years. You know, those things that seemed oh so important to you all those years ago that now, in hindsight, you can't believe you still are carrying around? I have a lava lamp from 1974 that comes to mind!
While packing up my house for the big move it occurred to me to think about some of the "accumulated stuff" that HRTS has been carrying around for a great many years and how we, as an organization might be well served to take a look at these "legacies" and put some thought into whether or not they are still relevant and neccessary as we move forward. We all know the industry is constantly changing. Are we? I know, sometimes it's easier to simply say "because that's the way we've always done it" but is easier neccessarily better? In my experience, not usually. And how about some of the "lost" treasures that have simply disappeared from our radar over the years because they fell behind the dresser? So how to choose what to keep? What to throw away? And more importantly, what to ressurrect because they served a purpose but have somehow fallen out of view? I have some ideas.
First off. You may have noticed our HRTS Annual this year. Smaller footprint. Made from post-consumer waste materials. In a word. Green! Right there is a break from tradition that is in so many ways an improvement over the old, tried and true. Al Gore would be proud! And how about our first luncheon of the spring? Did you know that many of the questions for the panel were coming in "live" via internet and text? From your Blackberry to the moderator's lips in mere moments! Many year's ago, this type of "town hall" Q&A was not that uncommon. Of course, it was done with a mic in the audience or via index cards on the tables, but a great example of something old being new again.
Also, HRTS in the past prided itself on presenting at least one panel a year that stepped outside the somewhat insular confines of our industry and addressed issues that had a broader, more societal viewpoint. You guessed it! Once again, something old is new again as we are presenting a very important panel in May that dives into the issues of our country's looming health and financial security crisis. Of course it will be viewed from an industry perspective but we are proud to be partnering with the AARP, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and The Motion Picture and Television Fund to present this forum to discuss this extremely important issue.
We're also taking a look at all of our regular "evergreen" events. Is there a new way to look at the event? Should we maintain these events every year just because we always have? Could we replace some of them with new, more timely and topical panels? In the coming months, nothing is sacred as we begin the process of evaluating each and every program we present through the filter of "should it be left on the curb at the old house," or re-imagined in a fresh, provocative new way.
So yes. My allergies will be going off. And yes. My back will probably be a little sore. But I relish the opportunity to shake things up a little bit. I really encourage everyone to take the time and move some boxes. Slide out that dresser and uncover all those great ideas that I know are buried just out of sight behind the furniture. And if you don't want to actually move any of your own stuff, I'll have a truck out front of my house next Saturday and I could always use the help! Btw...there might be a cool Lava Lamp in it for you! See you at the next luncheon.
-Dave Ferrara
