About The Event

SPAC now presents the largest independent school and sport photographers conference and trade show in the world. Last year 7 countries were represented!

This year we are on track to have our largest attendance ever, with continued top notch education! An even bigger trade show with the best companies in the industry to enrich your business. And as always, the most engaging social opportunities with the best food, from the Kick Off Social to Bowling!

Back again, 3 Pre-Conference Tracks to Jump Start your education! There is an additional cost for Pre-Conference and not sold independently.

Look for our Frequently Asked Questions, and learn more about SPAC below. Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message!

WHERE

South Point Hotel & Casino Conference Center
Las Vegas, Nevada

WHEN

Wednesday to Saturday
January 23 to 26, 2019

View Speakers


Conference Schedule

**Working Draft. Final Schedule in December**
***Pre-Conference requires additional registration, not sold seperately**
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  • Pre-Conference - SPAC University Jump Start

    January 23, 2019 8am-4:30pm

  • Day 1

    January 23, 2019 (Wednesday)

  • Day 2

    January 24, 2019 (Thursday)

  • Day 3

    January 25, 2019 (Friday)

  • Day 4

    January 26, 2019 (Saturday)

  • School Photography 101: The Quick-Start program for “Newbies” Presented by Chris Wunder, Cr. Photog. ASP. CEO, PortraitEFX, Inc. Sponsored by Marathon Press This popular full day workshop will teach you all the basics to “quick-start” an underclass (K-11) School Photography business; part-time, full-time or to supplement your current Studio income. In the first half-day, you’ll learn how to prospect for and win School photography contracts using a proven sales and marketing system. You’ll learn what schools will expect from you, what to offer and what to charge, how to handle requests for “Rebates” and “Commissions” and how to negotiate the best deal for you. We’ll share many “secrets” of the School picture business that will allow you to compete effectively with anyone; even the BIG companies for local contracts. The second half of the program will cover basic school “picture day” logistics; scheduling, staffing, equipment needs and portrait techniques including lighting and “speed posing skills.” We’ll set up a complete portable studio demo; step-by-step so you can see how it comes together in real time. We’ll de-mystify automated capture and high-speed workflow including barcoding of student images for reliable identification and order processing. We’ll also teach “best practices” in photographing with green-screen and other background-replacement technologies. Finally, we’ll show how automated software will allow you to accurately identify and process hundreds of Student Portrait images in just 1-2 hours. After this program, you’ll have the confidence to take on school photography contracts in your local area. Bring all your questions and we’ll be happy to provide all the answers. This one-day workshop has helped thousands of photographers get their start in the lucrative field of School Photography.
    Schools
    Where
    Sonoma D

  • School Photography 2.0 – A New Approach to School Photography Topics to be covered include: • What is School Photography 2.0? • Why School Photography 2.0 is the right approach for today’s schools & parents • How to sign schools • How to handle the commission conversation • How to do portrait day o Staffing o Photography o Flow • Benefits of on‐line sales • How to sell on‐line to maximize sales • Order Fulfillment • How to hire photographers • Sales training • Software • Forms • Equipment list • Vendor list • Ongoing resource to assure your success
    Schools
    Where
    Sonoma B

  • SPAC University SPORTS 101 designed for those less then 5 years in the business, or new to SPAC. Covers all the basic. More details coming soon!
    Sports
    Where
    Sonoma C

  • School Picture Day Demo This 90 minute “in the round” program features a hands-on approach to conducting a school picture day. We’ll demonstrate both tethered and non-tethered workflows along with greenscreen, traditional and the new hybrid lighting and backgrounds. Visual learners will appreciate seeing it all come together and have a chance to see everything in action. This program is primarily geared toward “newbie” school photographers, but even experienced photographers who have not yet automated their picture day process will find it helpful. Co-Presented by: Chris Wunder, Cr. Photog. ASP Co-Owner, www.BigMoneyPhotography.com & Marion Hughes, Volume Photography Support, Pounds Labs.
    Schools


  • Other

  • Other

  • Information Covered: 1 Organization ( Our Checks and Balances) 2. Software (Darkroom and TEPS) 3. Printing 4. Printing of specialty Items (key chains, water bottles, dog tags, trading cards, etc) 5.Dye-Sublimation of Specialty Items (phone covers, mouse pads, PLAQUES - I bolded this as I can show a way to do sponsor plaques inexpensively , etc.) 6. How I used in house sublimation equipment to reduce School commissions! 7.Packaging
    Business
    Other

  • What would you do with an extra 5, 10 or even 15 hours in a week? This class will teach sports photographers how to win over leagues and schools by having a time efficient photo day. The attendees will learn how to obtain “the unobtainable” data from their leagues and schools. As part of the class the attendees will learn the art of “BARCODING SPORTS” as well as pick up on a few quick tips for T&I day including team organization and posing ideas. *How to Barcode sports * How to obtain data from your leagues *Quick tips to elevate your T&I day *Team organization and time saving posing ideas
    Sports

  • Fashion-forward Lighting and Posing Sponsored by Panasonic Lumix 2 hr program on Senior Posing and Lighting. First half Keynote, second half live demo with models and lights and a background!
    Schools
    Where
    Napa Room

  • Sports

  • The basics Identify, Find, Hire, Train, Fire.
    Business
    Other

  • Our clients are changing, we need to be faster, better, and more convenient. We will go over our league day setup and what breaks us apart from the competition. We will discuss using new technology and resources to streamline your business and increase your sales. Photo day can be easy and simple with the use of technology and workflow processes. • how to implement online sales •how to appeal to the new generation of parents •make your photo day convent and easy for your staff and parents •using new technology to increase your photo sales and participation
    Schools
    Sports


  • Other

  • With an ever-changing industry, we need to continually educate ourselves on industry best practices and technology changes. We are striving to preserve the time-honored tradition of Professional School Portraits while embracing the changing school, consumer, and market demands for digital image files. For many, a school picture is the only professional portrait they will ever have taken and parents, grandparents and students still like and buy printed images. However, they demand access to those same digital files to share on social media with friends and family. Schools, sports teams, leagues and dance studios now rely on their school photographer to help build a positive brand and market themselves for recruitment in their competitive markets. Cahill Studios has utilized new workflows and sales techniques to meet the digital demands, increase participation rates and build the Cahill Studios brand. In her program, Joy will talk about ways to increase participation rates and sales by removing friction points associated with traditional pre-pay sales, successful digital delivery, automating workflow, data control, building their brand and brand marketing for their clients.
    Schools

  • 90 minutes long, covering how, when and why to add LED lighting to a high volume photo business.
    Other

  • Sports

  • Have you found it more difficult to meet the expectations of your new generation of parents/clients? Are clients ordering less or are you losing schools or sports leagues? The new generation of parents & clients have completely different buying habits. We’ll explore how they are shopping and what they are looking for.
    Business

  • Whether you are a new photographer or a seasoned veteran, tethered photography can open up a whole new world of productivity and quality in your work. In this session you will learn the benefits of a tethered workflow for high-volume school and sports. You’ll also learn what it takes to get started in tethered photography. From hardware and software options to set up and process. It’s easier than you think!
    Other

  • Topics that will be covered: - Fire, Police and EMS - Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts - Daddy Daughter Dances - and more
    Other

  • Computer Vision” and how the technology has evolved to benefit the professional photography industry.
    Other

  • Content Topics: CUSTOMERS: -What defines a customer? -Do you know your target customer? How do you define this? -What is your expectation of the relationship? -What do you give in return? (FREEBIES DON’T COUNT) -How does a customer become your brand ambassador? -Indicators the relationship is out of balance Sales Campaigns: -Making yourself an exclusive option -Creating curiosity around your brand -How to stand out from the pack or ordinary wolves -Calculated risk and social media -How to get noticed in a crowd -I don’t use contracts or “agreements” or anything else they sign. (Neither should you) Productivity vs Being Busy: -What does it mean to be productive? -What does it mean to be busy? -Are you carving out time for “nothing” each day? (You should be) -Employee mentality vs owner mentality -Why do people who “work less” seem to be more successful? -How being “busy” creates a burnout culture -Do you love what you do? If not, why? -How to define what ignites you Dare to be Bold. Dare to be a disruptor. Dare to create the business you dream about!
    Business

  • Other

  • Class info Part 1... 1) Marketing to keep and increase business volume - the Coca Cola theory 2) Presentation ideas 3) Design and Layout of Mailers, Brochures, Forms, What Works 4) Overall Customer Experience to build your brand Class info Part 2... 1) Calculating Buy Rates 2) Calculating Commissions 3) Net Pricing for Packages 4) Using that data for Bids and Proposals to win New Leagues and Schools
    Schools
    Sports
    Business

  • 60 minutes long, covering my ongoing progress to make talking portraits & hybrid photography part of the mainstream
    Other

  • Other

  • Nobody gets into photography to hire, manage or fire people, right? Now you find yourself either shooting or wanting to shoot volume sports or schools. In this presentation we are going to get into the perils of employees and how to find, hire and train them from start to finish. · Employee applications, interviews and who to hire · Background checks, training and supervising · Written guidelines and employee handbooks · Written shoot evaluations and critiques · How to set yourself up for success before they even take a photo for you · When employees go bad… In the voice of Princess Elsa, Let em GOOOOO, Let em GOOOOO…
    Business

  • The sales approach takes as much as 90% of your selling time. Learn the various ways to approach schools and how to maximize each on your way to earning a presentation.
    Business

  • Today’s always-on consumer expects speed and convenience. Why shouldn’t they get it with their child’s picture day? Whether you’re seeing declining sales, or you’re ready to reach that next level of growth, technology is essential to getting you there. In this session, you’ll learn how to bring technology into your business in a way that can drive higher sales, save time, and reduce costs. You’ll walk away with new marketing strategies, and you’ll see just how technology makes the entire volume photography workflow much simpler. Are you ready for your studio to get turned on?
    Business

  • Schools
    Other

  • Business

  • Sports
    Other

  • Business

  • Business
    Other

  • The competitive landscape is changing in the volume photography segment. Legacy photography companies are either innovating and transforming their model or failing and going out of existence. Consumer buying habits are changing and are requiring a new kind of photography product and experience. If we don’t innovate as an industry and as individual businesses we’ll evaporate. How we respond is up to each one of us. Presentation Agenda First we’ll look at the changing competitive landscape including Shutterfly’s acquisition of Lifetouch. Is this acquisition transformational? Shutterfly has mapped out a go-to-market strategy and expects to extend and monetize their reach to a new low cost channel of millions of customers provided by Lifetouch. Second, a short history lesson. We’ll take a quick look at the evaporation of some of volume photography’s biggest brands and what we can learn from their experience. Third, what about the consumer and school pictures? What has mom been telling us about our product and is there more that we can do to stay relevant. Fourth, just who is the competition anyway and how does tradition fit in? Finally, we’ll take a look at the Power of New and determine if it has a role in school photography. As a result of attending the session participants will be able to identify the following: The status of the Shutterfly acquisition of Lifetouch Shutterfly’s reported Go to Market strategy Five reasons businesses fail Consumer feedback on school photography The Millennials buying behavior and use of mobile devices Five categories that impact consumer participation rates The use of “new” in marketing and photo development
    Schools
    Sports
    Business
    Other

  • Business

  • Business

  • Schools

  • Business

  • Other

  • In business it seems there is never a good time for drastic changes, however, there comes a time in the lifecycle of every company that change is not only inevitable but it is vital for survival. In this breakout session Walt Smith, owner of Impact Images in Dallas, TX will show us what it took for him to realize change was needed and how he overcame the challenges of a sweeping overhaul of his workflow process. Bold moves in a 30,000 + volume business is no small task but when the writing was on the wall that something needed to change Walt took the leap and never looked back. If you are looking to make either a large or even small change in your business or photography workflow, this session will help motivate you and show you how beneficial change can be. Walt will outline how he changed his entire workflow from an in-house model to an outsourced model and gained profit and extra man-hours along the way. He’ll show what he did with that newly acquired time and how even more changes are in the future. Whether you photograph 200 or 30,000 subjects a year this session is for you. Walt will discuss: 1.) Dollars and Cents - Hard numbers of the growth he achieved by shaking things up 2.) The Pains - No change is without it’s hardship but it’s how we react to the pressures 3.) Staff - How to manage seasonal staff with a new workflow structure 4.) Change Never Stops - How once you realize it is possible it makes future decisions even easier
    Schools
    Sports
    Business
    Other

  • If you want parents asking for your studio by name, this is the session for you. Social and content marketing are two sides of the same coin and both are essential to establishing any brand in any market. We'll go deep to uncover content strategies that work and apply them to a social plan that will help your business rise up and stand out from the rest.
    Business
    Other

  • Schools
    Sports
    Business
    Other

Our Speakers

Check out our Educational Team!

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Last year our tickets sold fast so don’t miss. Conference will start in

South Point Hotel Casino & Spa

Address
9777 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89183

Phone:
(866) 791-7626

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