Home entertainment industry veterans Gene Silverman and Russ Solomon have been selected as co-chairs of VSDA's Home Entertainment 2006, organizers of the show announced today. VSDA's Home Entertainment 2006, the 25th annual convention for the home entertainment industry, is scheduled to take place July 11-13, 2006 at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.
"Gene and Russ are the perfect ambassadors as we celebrate the show's 25th anniversary," VSDA President Bo Andersen said. "I have had the pleasure of working with both Gene and Russ for many years and never cease to be impressed with their vision and passion for our industry."
As co-chairs of VSDA's Home Entertainment 2006, Silverman and Solomon will lead the development of special anniversary programming for the 25th anniversary of VSDA's Home Entertainment. A significant portion of the programming development includes involving individuals that have been in the industry for more than 20 years and those that are on the cutting edge of the industry as it transitions to next generation formats and alternative delivery.
Solomon is the founder of Tower Records/Video and served as one of the first members of VSDA's Board of Directors. Under Solomon's direction, Tower Records/Video became an industry leader by cultivating consumer interest in alternative and niche titles and pioneering video and DVD sell-through when rivals were focusing on rental. Tower Records/Video now has 90 company-owned stores worldwide.
"I'm honored to co-chair this committee," said Solomon. "The 25th anniversary of the VSDA show is a great opportunity to celebrate the longevity of the home video industry. I've been in the industry since its infancy and to see it grow has been a remarkable and rewarding journey. I'm looking forward to this year's show to see old friends and look ahead as we enter the world of high-definition."
Silverman's entrée into home video began in 1979 when he founded Video Trend, one of the industry's leading video distributors. Prior to establishing his own consulting firm and providing services to clients such as Anchor Bay Entertainment and New Line Home Entertainment, Silverman served as president of Polygram Video and as senior vice president of sales for Orion Home Video.
"I've had the pleasure of attending every VSDA convention since it's inception," said Silverman. "This year I have the honor of co-chairing, along with Russ Solomon, our 25th anniversary celebration. Each VSDA convention has presented us with both challenges and opportunities and this year is no exception. Its always exciting to be part of a new emerging industry and as our video business examines ways of reinventing itself, there will be many opportunities for us to explore. The era of digital and hi-def delivery will be front and center at the 25th anniversary convention and I'm eagerly looking forward to being a part of it."
For more information about VSDA and Home Entertainment 2006, including how to exhibit, visit www.HomeEntertainmentEvents.com.
