NATO of California/Nevada July/August 2005 July/August 2005 NATO of California/Nevada Information for the California and Nevada Motion Picture Theatre Industry NATO of California/Nevada Held CALENDAR of EVENTS & Annual Membership Meeting Members of NATO of California/Nevada convened at the HOLIDAYS historic Crest Theatre in Westwood, California on June 22 for the Association’s annual membership meeting. The meeting highlights included the announcement of the new association leaders, an up- Labor Day date from President Milt Moritz, discussions of ongoing legal and Sept. 5 political issues, and a presentation by film historians and authors Andreas Fuchs and Ross Melnick. • NATO of California/Nevada Chairman Phil Harris led the meeting and announced the Association’s new leadership, including National NATO its board of directors, officers, and new Chairman, Raymond Syufy Board Meeting of Century Theatres. Chairman Harris also thanked outgoing board New Chairman of the Board Ray Syufy of Century Theatres. in Chicago members for their hard work and encouraged members to continue Sept. 14 – 15 to support NATO’s efforts on the challenging road ahead. Mr. Harris stated, “As your outgoing • Chairman, and a person who owes his very livelihood to this industry, I urge you all to consider the effects on your bottom line of a 10%, 20%, or even 30% decline in your ticket sales, as your loyal Sexual patrons are converted to the home entertainment experience. Continue to fight against the closing Harassment of the theatrical window. Allow NATO to finish the job it has so brilliantly spearheaded to ensure Prevention a uniform, systematic, fair and economically feasible transition to digital projection. Examine your Training business practices to determine where you can be more effective in providing your patrons the service Workshop and value they demand. Above all, consider that this just might be the time where as an industry we Sept. 20 - Northern California must work together, and spend together; to change what I believe is the growing perception that we Sept. 22 - Southern California are too expensive, to insensitive, and too greedy.” See page 3 Chairman Harris then turned over the microphone to Mr. Moritz, who provided an overview of NATO of California/Nevada’s accomplishments in the last year. Mr. Moritz described and applauded • the successful derailment of an entertainment admission tax, the legal prohibition of recording de- ShowEast vices in theatres, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars donated to worthy causes such as college Oct. 24 – 27 scholarships, university film departments, and tsunami relief. NATO of CA/NV counsel Greg Hurley and political lobbyist Terri Thomas followed with detailed • presentations of the legal and political issues that have faced theatre owners over the past year, as well as those on the horizon. Fall/Winter Film Product Mr. Hurley focused on the legal ramifications of a federal settlement between the U.S. Department Seminars of Justice and Regal Theatres, explaining that after many years of speculation and uncertainty, the Nov. 3 - Northern California settlement provides many specific guidelines for theatres’ compliance with the American Disabilities Nov. 9 - Southern California Act. These included specific definitions regarding unobstructed views and companion seating. Ms. Thomas, in turn, described the recent political victories for theatre owners. Measures that would have raised the minimum wage, mandated employer healthcare, censored video games, and levied a tax on admissions to nearly all types of entertainment venues were all defeated. The Assembly ❖❖❖ See ANNUAL MEETING, continued on page 2 1 NATO of California/Nevada July/August 2005 ANNUAL MEETING, continued from page 1 (www.cinematreasures.org). Fuchs and Melnick Previews concluded their remarks by encouraging exhibi- is published by the also adopted a resolution to proclaim the month tors to consider their historical roots integral to the National Association of of June “Entertainment and Labeling Awareness celebration of the movie-going experience.▼ Theatre Owners of Month” and commend the industry, including California/Nevada NATO, for its efforts to protect and educate 11661 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 830 California families. Los Angeles, CA 90049-5116 As the final speakers of the morning, film Phone: 310/460-2900 historians and authors Andreas Fuchs and Ross Fax: 310/460-2901 Melnick offered a fascinating presentation on E-mail: Offi[email protected] www.NATOCalNev.org their efforts to archive and chronicle classic movie houses. The presentation featured photographs OFFICERS from their book Cinema Treasures, and described Milton Moritz President & CEO their promotional efforts to stimulate grassroots NATO of CA/NV’s President Milt Moritz; outgoing Chairman Raymond W. Syufy interest in these cultural landmarks, includ- Phil Harris; Board Member Frank Rimkus; Jerry Forman, Chairman chairman emeritus; William F. Hertz, Sr., vice president and ing media outreach and website development David Corwin, treasurer. William F. Hertz, Sr. Vice President David Corwin Treasurer Bruce Sanborn Secretary BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sergio Contreras Premiere Cinemas David Corwin Metropolitan Theatres Janet Grumer of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, formerly with Landmark Theatres and a member of the Scholarship Nora Dashwood Committee with Greg Hurley of Greenberg Traurig, a key David Corwin of Metropolitan Theatres visiting with Pacific Theatres member of NATO of CA/NV’s ADA committee. Dale Davison of Century Theatres. Alan Grossberg UltraStar Cinemas William F. Hertz, Sr. Mann Theatres George Krikorian Krikorian Premiere Cinemas Greg Laemmle Laemmle Theatres Neal Pinsker Regal Entertainment Group Donna and Phil Harris who flew in from their new home in Frank Rimkus Kalispell, Montana for Phil’s final annual membership meeting Milt Moritz with NATO of CA/NV’s representative in Galaxy Theatres as Chairman. Sacramento, lobbyist Terri Thomas of Thomas Advocacy, Inc. Bruce Sanborn The Movie Experience Raymond W. Syufy Century Theatres John Tegtmeier Tegtmeier Associates Dick Walsh AMC Theatres Len Westenberg Loews Cineplex ❦ Thanks to Robert Bucksbaum for hosting the meeting at his Majestic Crest Theatre, shown here with Charlene Sievers and Ted Mundorff of Landmark Theatres with Milt Moritz and Phil Harris. Charlene Sievers Milt Moritz of NATO of CA/NV. Director, Member Services 2 NATO of California/Nevada July/August 2005 ATTENTION: ALL National Association of Theatre Owners of California / Nevada Members WITH 50 + EMPLOYEES! Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Required by California State Law. In California both corporate employers and individual employees and supervisors face personal liability for workplace harassment. California has just instituted new harassment training requirements for all employers with 50 or more employees (includes part-time and independent contractors). Supervisors must receive at least two hours of interactive training by January 2006. To meet this requirement the law firm of Greenberg Traurig will be conducting two interactive work-shop sessions exclusively for all NATO of California/Nevada members. Attendance at either one of the following seminars will fulfill the first requirement. Northern California Southern California Tuesday, September 20, 2005 Thursday, September 22, 2005 10:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. (Venues to be announced) Attendance is free, by reservation only. Moderated by: Gregory F. Hurley: Based in Orange County, Greg focuses his practice on three areas, including civil rights and laws related to discrimination on the basis of disability. Greg represents NATO of California/Nevada on ADA issues. Presented by: Diana P. Scott: As Co-Chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Group, Diana represents clients in litigation and trial in all types of employment disputes, including but not limited to harassment and discrimination, drug testing, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations. Lawrence Rosenfeld: Co-Chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Group and working in the firm’s Phoenix office, Larry has almost 30 years of experience in the areas of employment law, litigation, health law, and administrative law. For reservation information, please phone the NATO of CA/NV office at 310/460-2900 or visit the NATO Cal/Nev website at www.natocalnev.org. 3 NATO of California/Nevada July/August 2005 Regal Cinemas’ Settlement with the United States Department of Justice on the Placement of Wheelchair in Existing and Planned Stadium Auditoria By Gregory F. Hurley, Esq. & Stacey L. Herter, Esq. Earlier this month, the Department of Finally, no ADA-mandated wheelchair Justice resolved its lawsuit with Regal Enter- space shall be located in the front row closest tainment Group filed under the Americans to the screen at any existing, newly acquired, with Disabilities Act challenging the construc- designed, or future construction theatre. Re- tion of stadium-style movie theatres. As a re- gal shall remove wheelchair and companion sult of the consent agreement, Regal’s current seats from the front row and relocate these and future stadium-style theatres will provide seats no closer to the screen than the last row improved lines of sight for persons who use Gregory F. Hurley Stacey L. Herter of the traditional (non-stadium) seating sec- wheelchairs. Under the decree, all future tion. If such relocation is physically imprac- construction of Regal theatres will be designed in accordance ticable because of the size or configuration of the