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 has kept her hand in production, serving as the Executive Producer on a Public Service presentation for congress on Runaway Production.  She also served as Executive Producer of “Freezer Burn”, an independent feature that utilized state of the art workflows and technology.

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

Aila W. Holley - Director of Workshops and Education

Aila has worked in many fields.  She has been a nanny, ski instructor, trail groomer, ski and school bus driver, as well as truck driver.  Aila is also a world traveler.  She spent a few months in Spain as a nanny and also lived in Finland for six months on a 4-H exchange trip.  She is currently an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay.  In 2003, Aila made a feature film called Solitaire with her husband.  Not only did Aila run the camera, help manage the set, and help produce, she supplied the make-up for the production.  Solitaire taught Aila that no matter how big or unreachable your dream seems if you set your sights on it and work toward it every day, you can reach it. 

Aila and her husband Asa planned to move to Los Angeles for his filmmaking and acting career.  The feature film production opened many contacts and opportunities for Aila.  One such opportunity arose when HD EXPO came to Denver, Colorado.  Aila helped out at the Colorado workshop and made an impression with her attitude and enthusiasm.  She was subsequently asked to join the team fulltime.  Jumping at the chance she packed her bags and headed to LA.