CinemaCon 2026: Meeting New Clients at the Buffet

By Donald Swartz, President

Last month, my blog covered the 2026 Rail Equipment Conference I attended in Palm Springs and the importance/significance of attending and meeting with prospects and clients.

Fast forward one month as I attended CinemaCon 2026, the largest annual conference for theatre owners, vendors and consultants to the theatre industry. This conference typically draws over 3,000 attendees and I always wonder how I can make the “this year’s conference” meaningful and productive.

Sure enough, I was taking advantage of the buffet lunch during the tradeshow and ended up sitting (actually standing at a high top as there were no seats available!) with a group of people. The usual banter took place, “Where are you from? Is this your first conference? What do you do and what is your relationship with the theatres?”

Property Tax Reviews

After explaining our services, one of the individuals asked if we only represented theatre owners or if we handled property tax reviews for other types of commercial property. Hmmm, good question. 😊 He took my business card (big hint for those who think business cards are so yesterday), turned it over and scanned the QR code on the back and forwarded my information on to his boss.

About two weeks later I received an email from said boss, inquiring about our services. This company has three operating locations and a fourth soon to be open. The three current locations are in Des Moines, Minneapolis greater area and Omaha. Three areas we have significant experience as well as appeal success. With looming appeal deadlines approaching at the end of April, we moved very quickly and now have the MN and IA properties under appeal with a review of NE pending by June 30^th.

What is the moral of this story?

1. Business cards are still worth carrying?
2. Don’t miss the lunches at a conference?
3. Don’t talk with your mouth full?
4. Make the most of attending conferences as you never know where they will lead?

I will let you decide. Thanks for reading!

Swartz + Associates, Inc. (SAI) is a full service property tax firm specializing in the review, analysis and appeals of real and business personal property tax valuations. If you need help with your property taxes, give us a call!