CinemaCon always presents an opportunity to gain valuable insights into the topics that are most important to our industry.

Now that the dust has settled after a busy and rewarding week at the convention, Vista Group CEO Stuart Dickinson distils some key takeaways about what matters to industry stakeholders, and how we can ensure we are doing all we can to support our clients to thrive.

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A week on from CinemaCon, I thought I'd share some thoughts and observations from what was a busy but rewarding week.

I'll focus on our area from a technology perspective and the opportunities that I think are relevant, but my overall impression was that it was a great week with lots of high-quality studio presentations showcasing strong support and excitement for upcoming theatrical releases.

Collaboration will unlock more opportunities

The technology opportunity to support theatrical exhibition and studio areas remains strong, and for the first time, I noticed a keen willingness from both studio distribution and exhibition to lean in together and embrace these opportunities.

Throughout the week, we had numerous conversations with both our studio/distribution and exhibition clients. It is becoming increasingly clear that enhancing the effectiveness of our connected ecosystem and improving operational effectiveness - primarily through efficiency and productivity gains - is at the forefront of everybody's mind.

Also, getting closer to moviegoers through smart marketing, both through the more cost-effective use of Distribution and Exhibition funds and adopting a more targeted approach, is a key industry focus. I think this presents a real opportunity for collaboration, as both areas hold key parts of the puzzle to effectively market to cut through the noise and create meaningful audiences.

Leveraging efficiencies and AI for enhanced experiences

Like many other industries, AI and the opportunities it presents really started to permeate through conversations we were having at CinemaCon.

The potential to automate and improve the efficiency and reliability of key business processes for exhibitors using smart AI tools - whether in marketing, film scheduling, or general operational planning, efficiency, and reporting - is significant. These opportunities were actively explored during the week as people looked at every angle to improve.

Moreover, the quest to enhance moviegoer experiences through smarter experiences, such as coupling food and beverage with smart seating and other enhancements, continues to be pervasive.

Contributing to a bright future

I remain more convinced than ever that our strategy of driving an ecosystem approach to support the digitisation and transformation of our industry through smart AI-enabled connected solutions is the right path. I'm excited about the opportunities for our clients and Vista Group as we continue to pursue this integrated future.

Overall, there was a strong sense of optimism, collaboration, and the need to work together to create great experiences and compete, not with each other, but for every out-of-home entertainment dollar. A week into the blockbuster release of A Minecraft Movie, you can feel the excitement as we shrug off the slow start to the year and get fully underway.