Delegate attendance topples 400 with over 20 countries represented

12 November, 2009
Media bulletins, TV Producers

In this newsletter:

DELEGATE ATTENDANCE TOPPLES 400 WITH OVER 20 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED

Attendance for this year’s Congress has reached over 400 and over 20 countries will be represented in Melbourne, December 1 to 4. If you have not yet registered for the 2009 WCSFP, your last chance is fast approaching. Visit www.wcsfp.com.

TEN THINGS TO KNOW FOR CONGRESS FIRST-TIMERS

So you’ve never been to Congress before. What can you do to make the most of your trip to Melbourne? Poms, Frogs and “Strine” will introduce you to this year’s event and offer guidance for those new to the WCSFP environment. Begin preparing now with Ten Things You Need to Know About WCSFP, a tip sheet with advice on how to make the event as rewarding as possible, including advice on scheduling meetings, attending sessions and where and when to catch CEs and funders.

KOALAS AND DINGOS AND SNAKES, OH MY! LIVE ANIMALS AT CONGRESS

Poms, Frogs and “Strine” will also welcome you to Australia in a special way: with face-to-face meetings between delegates and some of the country’s most iconic wildlife! Learn all about Australia’s fascinating fauna and biodiversity; cozy up to a two metre long saltwater crocodile, behemoth python snakes, a howling dingo, frilled lizards, laughing kookaburra, koala, kangaroos, possums, raucous parrots, green tree frogs, freshwater turtles, and more. Delegates will have the chance to learn all about each animal’s quirky ecology, and to get up-close-and-personal. All this and more in an adrenaline packed wildlife showcase. Bring your camera!

SCIENTISTS JOIN POST-CONGRESS EXCURSION TO GREAT BARRIER REEF

A number of broadcasters and producers have already signed on for the post-Congress excursion to Cairns, Queensland – home to the world famous Great Barrier Reef! The trip is shaping up to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure thanks to the partnership of the Queensland government. Queensland has arranged to send a group of scientists – experts on various aspects of the Great Barrier Reef and its unique and fragile ecosystem – to join delegates on the excursion, and will host a reception on Sunday, December 6, for which all delegates attending the excursion are invited to attend. For more information and to book, visit www.wcsfp.com.

STEERING COMMITTEE VACANCIES AND ELECTION PROCEDURES

All registered Congress delegates are also members of WCSFP and eligible to vote for the organization’s Steering Committee. Nominations are drawn from conference delegates and any delegate may nominate herself or himself. We thank outgoing members Ralph Lee, Bridget Whalen and Ellen Windemuth, as well as host country representative Margie Bryant. There will be an election to fill four positions for 2010. To see a list of these positions and for more information, visit www.wcsfp.com.

CSIRO JOINS WCSFP AS SPONSOR

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) joins the WCSFP as a silver sponsor. CSIRO is Australia’s national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world, with more than 50 sites throughout Australia and overseas. CSIRO is developing new and improving existing technologies in Australia and overseas, and promoting the understanding and appreciation of science in the community.

24TH ANNUAL SPAA CONFERENCE BEGINS NOVEMBER 17TH

A premier business and networking event for film, television and 360 media producers, the 24th annual SPAA Conference will take place in Sydney, Australia from November 17 to 20, 2009. The program offers a mix of interviews, panel discussions, pitching events, master classes, demonstrations and social events, with opportunities for business development and networking in a relaxed environment. WCSFP members can attend the Conference at the SPAA member rate! Access this offer by ticking the WCSFP box when registering online. For all the latest news and info on events and speakers, visit www.spaa.org.au/conference

The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (WCSFP) is a member-run, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to celebrating the best in science, history and other factual programming. With a remarkable 2-to-1 producer-to-broadcaster attendance ratio, exceptional networking events and opportunities, and dynamic sessions produced by leading industry insiders, the Congress’ annual event has become a must-attend gathering for producers, broadcasters and distributors working in factual television. Most recently held in Florence, Italy (2008), New York, USA (2007), Manchester, UK (2006), and Tokyo, Japan (2005), the WCSFP will be held, this year, from December 1 – 4 in Melbourne, Australia.

This is a republishing of the Hot Doc’s WCSFP e-newsletter originally sent to subscribers on 11 November 2009.