CNA WINNIPEG / DAY 1

Seminars, a speech by the U.S. Ambassador to Canada and an lively and entertaining opening reception sponsored by the Winnipeg Free Press, marked the first full day of events.

The seminars:

A NEWSPAPER COMPANY WITH A BROAD AUDIENCE
The future is now, learn how some North American newspapers are transitioning from the current model of circulation, readership, visitors and page views to a world where audience is the metric. Hear how you can leverage the total footprint and reach your newspaper's portfolio of products, Change your destiny by leveraging, selling and communicating your market share B2B and newspaper to consumer. Speakers: Mark Cohen, Director Sales/Marketing, The Florida Times-Union; Chris Kouba, Director of Content and Strategic Development, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk

THE SECOND CURVE:
MANAGING THE VELOCITY OF CHANGE
Ian Morrison, futurist and author, will share his long-term forecasting on changing business environments and theorize on the evolution of the newspaper business model. His theory is that companies must ride the first curve a company's traditional business carried out in a familiar corporate climate to the all-important second curve. The second curve is the future, the new technologies, new consumers and new markets that companies must command to survive and thrive. Sponsored by Markets Initiative

CANADA'S MEDIA LEADERS IN CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUTURE
A panel of senior executives at several of Canada's newspaper companies explores the future of print and online and the steps needed to thrive.Speakers: Dennis Skulsky, CanWest MediaWorks; Jagoda Pike, Toronto Star; Phillip Crawley, The Globe and Mail; Natalie Larivière, Transcontinental; Julia Kamula, Osprey Media; Peter Kvarnstrom, Glacier Ventures; Andy Ritchie, Winnipeg Free Press. Moderator: Alan Allnutt, Montreal Gazette

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Need a passport.... maybe not

The U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins spoke on issues affecting US/Canada relations. Commenting on the passport situation to reporters after a meeting with Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, Wilkins hinted that high-tech driver's licenses could be used to cross the border instead of passports as originally planned by the U.S. government.

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PARTY TIME

Over 500 attended the opening reception at The Club Regent Casino. They were greeted by Lieutenant Governor John Harvard, Premier Gary Doer, and Winnipeg Free Press publisher Andy Ritchie, after decending a staircase through an opening in a 3 story indoor rock wall and waterfall into the reception area. Guests drank and dined for 4 hours, while being entertained by nonstop performers from Manitoba, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, illusionist Brian Glow, the world famous Rulsaka dancers, violiniist Sarah Noble and native performers and dancers.


As everyone left, they received a gift pack which included copy of the recently released Winnipeg Free Press hard cover coffee table book "THE HERMETIC CODE".

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TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT
Leonard Asper, CanWest Global Canwest Global Communications will be the keynote luncheon speaker.