The first HIGH DEF EXPO & Mixer on November 8, 2001 at Barwick Studios, with the theme of "Back to the Future", saw 22 high profile sponsors with over 300 industry professionals in attendance. It was an evening of exhibits, mini-seminars, and industry mixing. The event was one of a kind and LA's first true HD EXPO event.

Then, on March 7th, 2002, with only one month separating the next HIGH DEF EXPO from the April NAB in Las Vegas, we thought it only fitting we have a Las Vegas theme called "High Def High Rollers". It was a hit as we saw 27 HD vendors and over 400 professionals in attendance. For all those who could not attend NAB this year from the LA area, our Expo served as a unique venue for previewing new and exciting product and/or service introductions normally unveiled in Las Vegas. HIGH DEF EXPO is first in the nation to produce such an HD event of this genre and magnitude.

Our Mission:

HD EXPO is an organization dedicated to promoting the adoption and growth of High Definition and future technology by building a community of experts and users through shared knowledge, experience, and education.

The People Who Make It Happen...

Kristin Petrovich - Founder/CEO
Kristin’s enduring fascination with the magical world behind the camera was ignited by her upbringing in the heart of Southern California’s entertainment industry. But it was her experience as a Hunter/Jumper in National Equestrian Competitions and the prospect of becoming a professional athlete that gave her the discipline, confidence, and risk-taking skills that would bring success to every one of her endeavors: Marketing, Sales, Production, and now HD EXPO, which is entering its fourth year.

Kristin solidified an extensive knowledge of the international marketplace during a tour of duty for London-based Spitfire Television, where she was responsible for production budgeting, marketing, demonstrations and presentations.  Immersed in production in London, she gained invaluable insights about the global applications of entertainment technology. On her return to the United States, Kristin served concurrently as the Director of Operations & Marketing for Yeah Studios and as the Production Manager of network programming for TriCrown Productions. During this stint she worked comprehensively on a number of reality, sports, and documentary programs for ABC, FOX, and Prime Ticket. These dual management responsibilities provided Kristin with extensive hands-on experience in digital production and postproduction.  After leaving TriCrown Productions, she joined the renowned documentary shingle, ABC Kane, where she put her extensive global production savvy to use as the International Political Liaison for an international documentary sports show.

During this time, Kristin became involved with a mentorship and community-building organization, The Sterling Women’s Weekend.  Her skills were immediately recognized and she was recruited to lend her considerable marketing talents to the organization’s West Coast Workshops and outreach to California graduates.  Eventually, she became a Lead Facilitator for the organization.

In 1997, Kristin formed KMP & Associates, a Marketing & Management Team. After years of providing customized attention to a wide variety of clients including below-the-line talent, entertainment services, and manufacturers; she perceived a common need.  Across the industry, there was a considerable desire for an understanding of the rapidly changing technological environment.

In 2001, she acted on her inspiration and founded HD EXPO, which has become the most significant tradeshow conference in the world for the High Definition Community.   In 2003, HD EXPO Workshops, the educational division of HD EXPO, successfully launched a National Workshop Tour featuring the Panasonic Varicam. Under Kristin’s leadership, HD EXPO and the Workshops have grown, consistently and imaginatively continuing its mission; from exhibition, panels and events to ground breaking delivery of content and the recent premier of the Virtual Trade Show™, an online-streaming presentation of HD EXPO in collaboration with QuickTime and apple.com.

Kristin’s enduring passion is her dedication to understanding and illuminating the role that technology plays in community building, entertainment and learning for professionals and consumers alike.
Contact: Kristin@hdexpo.net

Leslie Schimel, Business Manager
Joining the HD EXPO team in late 2007, Leslie Schimel brings an unsurpassed level of business expertise and office savvy to her critical role at HD EXPO. Her professionalism, efficiency and organizational acumen serves HD EXPO attendees, staff, sponsors, and presenters.

Leslie has an extensive background in office and employee management. Her background includes managing large groups of employees, streamlining office procedure, and business management duties. Leslie has creatively aided companies including the prestigious Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin and Paul Kohner, Inc., the legendary talent agency.
Contact: leslie@hdexpo.net

Stephanie Cameron, Director of Marketing and Communications
An integral part of the HD Expo team since the first HD EXPO in 2001, Stephanie has been instrumental in the branding, positioning and growth of HD EXPO as a multi-platform communications and education company. A successful artist, sculptor and industry veteran, Stephanie has helped to build the technical infrastructure of the HD EXPO website and communication technologies of the company, helping to position it as a cutting edge member of the entertainment industry. 

Away from her role at HD EXPO, the gifted designer is a busy entrepreneur.  She is the Acting Partner and Creative Director of the Paradigm Design Group. Some of her clients include Panasonic, The Brookturn Company, and the documentary filmmaker Angela Shelton. She has designed both on-line and off-line marketing materials, front-end web sites, motion grahics, and print. 

Prior to her tenure at HD EXPO, she was a model maker, muralist, gallery owner, and fine artist and moved to Los Angeles in 1996. The New Mexico native is married to Visual Effects Artist D. Walt Cameron and has two children. 
Contact: stephanie@hdexpo.net

Jill Smolin, Director of Education
Jill Smolin has been serving the visual effects and computer graphics industries for the last couple of decades. She served both Digital Domain and Cinesite as manager of education from the mid 90s. Finding a certain passion in disseminating the marvels – and marvelous talents – within that industry, Jill began a continuing relationship with SIGGRAPH, creating and curating courses, panels and large-scale sessions. Prior to her tenure in visual effects facilities, Jill served the nascent industry writing for On Location Magazine, then editing Film and Video Magazine in the 80s, while developing her skills as a fiber artist and graphic designer. She continues to serve the industry and its creatives as a co-chair of the Visual Effects Society’s Awards Committee, as well as writer, designer, juror, moderator and cheerleader, finding her calling in working with expert teams to educate and inspire others on the art and practice of harnessing technology to further their craft and contribution to the professional community.
Contact: jill@hdexpo.net

Glenna Dailey, Industry Relations
Building the HD EXPO community through industry relations in addition to many aspects of the expos and workshops, Glenna Dailey is an integral part of the HD EXPO team. She is an expert at forging partnerships with sponsors, organizations, and keeping in touch with the HD EXPO community which keeps HD EXPO in touch with our constituents. Glenna has had a pivotal role in the development and launch of C3, HD EXPO's exciting new membership organization.

Glenna brings an incredible mix of entertainment experience to her role at HD Expo. Working in the strategic planning of major performers and organizations, she has been at the center of the music industry for over 10 years. During her time at Earth Song Entertainment, she co-managed Chaka Khan (who is on her 10th Grammy), coordinated special events with Quincy Jones, Bill Cosby and many others.
Contact: glenna@hdexpo.net

Brian Henderson, Sales Manager
brian@hdexpo.net

Jen Kroo, Operations Manager
jennifer@hdexpo.net

Christine Purse, President, Senior Counsel, ignite
Christine Purse has spent 15 years in strategic marketing and public relations as a senior level consultant and staff member. She launched ignite in early 2005 after a successful tenure as Vice President in charge of Marketing and Communications for Kodak-owned LaserPacific, a major post-production technology company serving the leading content creators in Hollywood. For more than ten years, her expertise has included working with Hollywood television producers, feature film productions, and global leaders in entertainment technology.

Chris is a Regional Emmy winner and recipient of numerous international and national feature film awards and a LA ProAward. She began her career at a leading regional advertising agency as a broadcast producer and was a Producing Fellow at the American Film Institute. Chris serves on the Public Relations Committee of the American Society of Cinematographers, is a former trustee of the International Documentary Association and is an active member of the Hollywood Post Alliance where she serves as PR counsel for the HPA Awards. Her other clients include technology companies, major post production facilities, filmmakers, film festivals and events.
Contact: chris@ignite.bz

Feedback

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