Welcome to
CinemaCon 2026

CinemaCon is many things to many people. It is a chance to reconnect with old friends and colleagues; it is an opportunity to see what distribution has on tap for the months ahead; it’s a chance to gain valuable and practical tips on how to make your businesses more successful. I am extremely excited about the schedule we have put together for this year’s convention, and although it is a very high bar, I hope you all find this year’s show to be the best ever. That is our goal. 

This year, you will see some major changes that will make CinemaCon an even stronger show. For the first time ever, we are offering three educational programming tracks focused on audiences & innovation, food & beverage, and technology. The moderators and panelists that we have assembled represent the best and brightest in our industry, and I know that their insights will be incredibly valuable.

We have a more diverse slate of distributor presentations than ever before, highlighting the fact that our industry succeeds when there is something for everyone to see on the big screen. We are proud to bring Angel, GKIDS, NEON, Sony Pictures Classics, and STUDIOCANAL to the Colosseum to show off the amazing slate of films they have on the horizon.

As always, participation from the major studios is robust. They understand the value of putting on a great show, and the excitement that the entire industry feels after a great presentation at CinemaCon cannot be overstated.

This year on the trade show floors, hundreds of innovators and technology providers from around the world will showcase the latest and greatest in cinema advancements, and we encourage everyone to visit the trade show on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can find out more during the Barco-sponsored cocktail reception and networking kickoff event for attendees and vendors on Monday afternoon.

Also on Monday, I am thrilled that we are going to honor Cineplex’s President & CEO Ellis Jacob with the Legend of Cinema Award. No one has played a more central role in guiding our industry through challenging times and his leadership has helped position exhibition for future success. Ellis has been a strong supporter of Cinema United and a valued mentor to me in my capacity as CEO. On behalf of the entire exhibition industry, we want to thank Ellis for everything he has done.

CinemaCon is a chance for us to come together and unite as an industry. As you know, I believe that this industry is strongest when we speak with a single, unified voice. Never has this been more evident. As our industry faces the threat of further studio consolidation, we have been clear from the outset that consolidation historically has resulted in fewer movies, which results in fewer jobs and fewer consumer choice, likely at a higher cost.

Ours is a widespread and diverse community, with differing views and differing perspectives, which is one of our greatest strengths. At the same time, we are united in the belief that there is no better entertainment experience than seeing a movie on the big screen at a local theatre. This remains our north star, and if we stay united and work toward solutions that not only support but promote our industry, the future will be bright.

CinemaCon is an annual opportunity to make clear to the entire industry our commitment to the primacy of the theatrical experience—not just today, but for generations to come.