August 31, 2009

Pre Emmy Nominations Mixer a Hit in Bel Air

Poolside pre-nominations party provides great opportunity to meet new people. Friendly, standing-room-only evening at Bel Air's Luxe.

With the Primetime Emmy Awards nominations announcement less than sixty hours away, a convivial group of several hundred Television Academy members gathered at the poolside patio of the Luxe Hotel in Bel Air, to toast the upcoming noms, compare notes on projects and enjoy the balmy summer evening.

Such was the scene July 16 when the Academy’s membership rewards committee presented the second all-member mixer, a follow-up to the inaugural gathering held in March at French 75 restaurant in Burbank.

Making a real effort to get together

“People seem to make a real effort to turn out for these mixers,” observed Mitch Waldow, a governor of the Los Angeles area peer group. “They’re a lot of fun. It’s an opportunity to meet with members we might not always see at other events. You hear people talking about the upcoming awards. There’s a lot of anticipation.”

“I’ve been an Academy member for ten years, and I see very few people here that I know,” agreed Mark Louis Walters, a member of the art directors/set decorators peer group. “That’s great. It shows you this is working.”

Indeed Walters, his wife Jennifer Vogt of the same peer group and performer Daniel Graves had been approaching tables to introduce themselves to other members, in the true spirit of mixing.

Diane Nassau (television executives peer group) and Marbry Steward (performers), who had met and become friends at the previous event, were also meeting new-to-them members, joined at their table by Jonathan Edward Whitehead (commercials) and Geoff Nathanson (Los Angeles area).

“This is wonderful. It’s filled – standing room only!” Nassau enthused. “Everyone looks like they’re having a good time, and they’re all celebrating.”

Name badges with Peer Group names
provide good conversation starter

It wasn’t just the veterans who were enjoying themselves; for performer Paco Escamez-Brody, who joined the Academy four months ago, the mixer was his first opportunity to meet other members. Among the lively group he was chatting with was Larry Gershman (production executives), who noted, “This is a good social opportunity for the members to get together. At the Emmy Awards, half the members are in angst!”

At a nearby table, Los Angeles area member Lori Travis mentioned that wearing nametags stating each attendee’s peer group was helpful “because you already know [how] to start the conversation.”

Added her mother, Rose N. Clements (public relations), “We’re all on common ground, as Academy members. We [represent] all the ingredients that make for a successful television production. This gives everyone a chance to unite, in a very informal atmosphere, to keep the momentum going for the climax – the Emmy Awards.”

The mixer also featured a raffle for several prizes, including a pair of tickets to the Primetime Emmy Awards telecast. In addition to the Luxe Hotel, sponsors included Beaulieu Vineyard, Dove Chocolate and Grey Goose Vodka.

Susan Simons chairs the membership rewards committee. Barbara Chase is director of membership for the Academy; Ava Surrena is manager of corporate relations.

Special thanks to:

Beaulieu Vineyard   Dove Chocolate Logo  
The next Television Academy mixer is tentatively scheduled for mid-October. Stay tuned.
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