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 By Dave Ferrara, HRTS Executive Director
I started down the path of my HRTS career in April of 2000. I was just a part-time contributor in the office helping out stuffing envelopes, putting postage on mail, and other exciting stuff like that. I remember the first HRTS Luncheon event I attended…It was a panel discussion about the emerging cable business and if you recall from those days, the cable business was about as “cool” as the layout of the HRTS Newsmaker Luncheon stage. Come on…you remember the old “Dean Martin Celebrity Roast” set design with the white table cloths and cardboard signs for name plates. (Yes…I was tasked with making those as well!)
The reason I bring this up is that I am a firm believer in the idea that an organization that doesn’t constantly evolve and re-invent itself is doomed to slowly go the way of vhs tape. Sure, it can still be used to record a TV show… but why?
To say that our organization has come a long way since those days would be an understatement. Today’s HRTS has evolved into a multifaceted organization that has expanded both the definition of what an industry organization can and should be, as well as expanded the very definition of who and what a member of said organization should look like.
 Witness the explosive growth of our junior membership, the JHRTS. From its humble beginnings just five short years ago, our junior membership has grown into a vibrant and active group of almost 250 assistants, coordinators, and junior executives from across the breadth of the business. A recent JHRTS lecture packed almost 300 young execs into the CAA theater for a panel discussion on how to pitch effectively. In addition, our junior group is very active in philanthropic activities, planning and executing monthly service outings to give back to organizations and groups in need. It’s telling that many of the young execs who have been involved in leadership positions within the JHRTS have gone on to greater success within our business. (Congratulations Lainie!)
The HRTS is also continually expanding the offerings that we will provide to better serve our member’s needs. To address the needs of those industry players beyond the thirty mile zone, we are now live streaming all HRTS Newsmaker Panels through our partnership with industry leaders Limelight Networks, Digital Rapids and CSG Systems - Content Direct. Additionally, we now have available to all current members no charge VOD streams of past HRTS events, accessible through the media page on our website. Our latest initiative, which we hope to announce specific dates very soon, will be a series of special “how to” sessions led by our streaming content partners to better educate our membership on the opportunities available in the online video space. And as our industry continues to evolve into the new media space, we will strive to provide relevant new initiatives to address those ever changing educational needs as well.
 And that’s not all. Our new Member Perks program has launched and I encourage you to take advantage of some of the deals we’ve worked out exclusively for HRTS Members. Are you bringing clients or staff to LA for business? HRTS has negotiated a special HRTS Rate of $205/night at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel. Planning on going to NATPE? Register early with an HRTS discount of $200 off the regular price. More discounts and other benefits of membership are also available at our online home WWW.HRTS.ORG. I encourage you to take a peek at some of the new features and benefits available to you, the HRTS member.
HRTS has always been an important player in the grand scheme of our business, providing the only place in town where the entire industry leadership can gather under one roof multiple times a year to get and stay connected to those who make this business run. As executive director, my job is to always be thinking of how we can grow and evolve the organization while at the same time making sure that we maintain the legacy and tradition that a 63 year old organization such as ours deserves. With that in mind I promise to all of you that my staff and I are working diligently to craft new and innovative ways of serving our members needs. If you have ideas of how we can serve you better or if you have interest in getting more involved in your organization then I encourage you to email or call me and we can discuss. Until then, I look forward to seeing you at our next luncheon on November 10th with legendary Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully and I hope that each and every day brings you great happiness and success.
See you at the next luncheon…
Dave Ferrara
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