ShoWest, the annual convention of U.S. theater owners, wrapped up Thursday at Paris Las Vegas. The show gives members of the other NATO (The National Association of Theater Owners) a chance to try out the latest sound systems, screens and even snacks, all while getting a sneak peek at this year's most anticipated movies.

The end-of-convention awards ceremony already attracts Hollywood's biggest names, but NATO has a plan to bring in even more stars, and films, in 2011. Next year, Showest will not only have a new name, but it will have a new venue. NATO's board voted last year to break away and make the convention a nonprofit event, which will keep costs down and entice studios to be an even bigger part of the show. The Vegas-based convention will also move from the Paris and Bally hotels, where it is held now, to Caesars Palace. This will allow the studios and other distributors the ability to show their movies at the 4,000-seat Colosseum Theater. The new convention will be called CinemaCon, and will be held in late March or early April 2011.

See who won this year's awards, after the jump ]]> cmb 2010-03-22T13:50:10-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/31/133329/825

ShoWest, the longest running convention and trade show for the cinema exhibition and distribution community, aka movie theaters, is happening this week at Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas. The gathering gives theater managers a first look at new products, concessions, and technologies. Basically, this is where all of those cool new seats, screens, and sound systems at your local Cineplex are unveiled. ]]> cmb 2009-03-31T13:46:36-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/