2001
Celebrating LHAT's Next 25 Years
Restoring the Past - Saving the Future
New York, NY
July 18-21

The New York conference kicked off a year-long celebration of LHAT's 25th Anniversary. It was designed to celebrate the importance and magnificence of the theatres in and around New York City, and provide quality professional development sessions to help theatre owners and operators, services providers and interested individuals define their own problems and needs and arm them with pertinent, current and useful information to take back to their organizations and communities.

The New York conference was the largest event the League has ever hosted, with 350 people attending from all across the U.S., Canada and Great Britain. The conference was headquartered at the 1824 Roosevelt Hotel. Opening night featured a new event called “Meet the LHAT Services Providers,” a reception where theatre representatives and service providers got a chance at the beginning of the conference to meet and discuss their individual needs and explain their goods and services. Docented by local conference chair Joseph Rosenberg, the preconference theatre tour rambled in and around the city to tour the Stanley Theatre, Loew's 175th Street (Rev. Ike's United Palace Church), the Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre and the world-famous Apollo Theatre. The main tour took us to several 42nd Street theatres on Thursday, from mid-town's Martin Beck Theatre to the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Friday, and wrapped up with a tour of Radio City Music Hall, where representatives from several of the firms that took part in the theatre's $70 million restoration hosted a compelling session about their work.

The week came to a close with a spectacular dinner cruise on World Yacht's Princess. Our special guest speaker was actor Tony Randall.

Delegate comments about the New York Conference.

"I attend many trade shows and conferences - you guys are the greatest! You all add a very personal touch versus just being business to others."

"I feel the conference, is a great way for theatre owners to gather information that will help them with their projects. I think it is great they can meet with other owners who have been there, or are just going through the experience. It helps to know you're not alone. It also connects them with the services that are available to them."

"I thought the education sessions were exceptional this year."

"Lots to do. Good sessions overall. Great theatre tours."