2010 Showest Movie Posters
Click on photos to enlarge
The movie business proved itself recession-proof again in 2009 with box office numbers up 10% to $10.6 billion. 
Number of Tickets sold were also up 5% and per-capita spending was up 4.6%. 
On the "dark side", U.S. piracy was down 30%, while arrests of camcorder pirates was up 50%.
Despite current economic times, the industry's mood was upbeat when compared to a few years ago.
3D was, and is, obviously a big topic.  Avatar lit the fuse and people are suddenly believers. Media outlets that sniffed at the topic last year are running around this year as they try to learn the new terms, companies and issues.  But, with around 3,500 3D U.S. screens, theater owners are worried that they won't have enough capacity to meet the 2010 slate.  More 3D screens are on the way; and there are even new ways for good ole fashion film projectors to join the fray. One is invented by a leader of 3D, Lenny Lipton, via his Oculus3D lens. The other is from Technicolor.   A third (isn't 3 competitors appropriate for a topic like 3D?) is from SoliDDD (formerly Kerner New York). Interestingly, they all made different decisions on some fundamental design decisions.
Note: Next year Showest will be known as CinemaCon NATO as takes over full control of the conference.
 (If you want to learn more about 3D, see our report)