Steinway & Sons Unveils Limited Edition Dakota Jackson “Arabesque” Piano

In honor of the company’s 160th anniversary, Steinway & Sons has revealed a history-making collaboration with renowned furniture designer Dakota Jackson to develop the stunning Arabesque Limited Edition piano. Since 1853 Steinway pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty and investment value. Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists, and it is the preferred piano of countless musicians, professional and amateur, throughout the world. With only 50 pianos in the line, the Arabesque is an exclusive masterpiece representing the combined artistic vision of one of the world’s most celebrated designers and the Steinway craftsmen who have brought his design to life.

In honor of the company’s 160th anniversary, Steinway & Sons has revealed a history-making collaboration with renowned furniture designer Dakota Jackson to develop the stunning Arabesque Limited Edition piano. With only 50 pianos in the line, the Arabesque is an exclusive masterpiece representing the combined artistic vision of one of the world’s most celebrated designers and the Steinway craftsmen who have brought his design to life. (PRNewsFoto/Steinway & Sons)

“In Dakota Jackson we found a designer and craftsman whose passion matches our own,” said Michael Sweeney, CEO of Steinway Musical Instruments and President of Steinway & Sons. “For this collaboration we chose the Steinway Model B, frequently selected by Steinway Artists and other accomplished players for their residential purposes. Together with Dakota we have created an instrument at the highest levels of both design and musicality. We are pleased to share this accomplishment with 50 families around the world.”

In ballet, an “arabesque” is a pose in which the dancer’s limbs are extended and held–the position conveys channeled energy, perfect balance, and flawless beauty. Likewise, the Arabesque piano demonstrates an impression of fluidity and movement through its spiraling pentagonal legs, gracefully curved lid, and ethereal silver plate. Macassar ebony from Indonesia is the perfect material to underscore the warm strength of the design.

Steinway & Sons logo. (PRNewsFoto/Steinway & Sons)

Born into a family of magicians and performers, Dakota Jackson studied and performed as a dancer in the early part of his career. “The demands of performance taught me how to discipline myself to achieve aesthetic ends,” he said. Over the past three decades, those aesthetic ends have earned Jackson recognition by major museums and commissions around the world. In fact, the Arabesque is not the first collaboration between Steinway & Sons and Jackson. In 1998 he was invited by Steinway to design the Tricentennial Piano, a beautifully understated piano commemorating the three-hundredth birthday of the instrument. “It was stripped down to its essential shape,” said Jackson. “I simplified it to one line drawn from the curve of the harp, a form that is integral to the instrument.”

By contrast, the Arabesque is an intricately-conceived design featuring rounded aesthetics to recall the gentle curves of a ballet dancer’s arms and the perfect harmony of shapes evident in every movement.

“Details are what separate out extraordinary design,” said Laura Seele, Manager of Steinway & Sons’ Custom Pianos Department.  “Every element of Arabesque’s graceful form helps tell its story, contributes to its overall sense of balance, refinement, and sophistication. The result is both timeless and contemporary.  It finds that rarified identity as both a great musical instrument and a beautiful piece of design.”

“To me, Steinway is synonymous with the word ‘piano’,” Jackson said. “I wouldn’t consider designing a piano for any other company.”

The Arabesque piano has been previewed over the past two months through a series of short video clips, photos, and descriptions of some of the instrument’s most unique features. These “sneak peaks” are posted on the Steinway & Sons website (www.steinway.com/arabesque), YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/SteinwayOfficial), and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/steinway). For more information, visit www.steinway.com.

 

The World’s Finest Spirits to be Poured and Tasted During The 2013 Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival

With more than 250 products to be featured, the seventh annual Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival will truly offer something for everyone, from the spirits novice to the connoisseur. The event will be held at The Rivers Casino on Friday, October 25, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  With Halloween just days away, attendees are invited to come in their spookiest costumes to enjoy the Halloween-themed festivities.

The seventh annual Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival creeps back to Rivers Casino. This year, over 1,500 guests are challenged to don their spookiest costumes at the Halloween themed event. During the festival, attendees will sip luxury liquors, gamble, and indulge in delicious eats from 6 pm to 9 pm. Get ready for more than 300 varieties of whiskey, scotch, vodka, gin, rum, tequila and cordials, all laid out by the finest purveyors of distilled spirits from around the world. Don’t be scared. Come prepared with your list of must-try spirits, but save room to investigate more challenging libations. Bookmark us, and check back regularly for updates and a master list of all vendors.

This year’s festival benefits Team Tassy, http://teamtassy.org/  a local charity dedicated to raising funds for and awareness of poverty in Haiti. Pittsburgh native Ian Rosenberger founded the charity in 2010 after helping Tassy, a Port-au-Prince teen suffering from a facial tumor, receive funding to undergo surgeries in Pittsburgh to remove his tumor. With that, “Team Tassy” was born and now aids dozens of Haitian families with education, healthcare, and employment.

Dale Markham, General Manager for the festival, is elated that this year’s scary soiree benefits such a great cause. “The festival only recently connected with ‘Team Tassy’ and we are already overwhelmed by the outpouring of aid they have offered families,” Markham commented. “I can’t think of a better charity for the Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival to be benefitting this year!”

“Consumers will have the opportunity to try a wide variety of products, from the truly unique, like Mama Walker’s Maple-Bacon Liqueur, to the hard-to-get Pappy Van Winkle Whiskey 20-Year-Old Family Reserve,” said Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Member Robert S. Marcus. “Some of the master distillers who make these products will also be on hand to discuss their products, techniques and even sign the bottles you purchase.”

In addition, festival-goers will be able to taste single-batch bourbons, select scotches and flavored and unflavored vodkas. Many of the products tasted will be available for purchase at the on-site Fine Wine & Good Spirits Store. Food will be served, so attendees may enjoy responsibly. You must be at least 21 years old to enter.

For every ticket sold, $1 will be donated to Team Tassy, a Pittsburgh-based charity dedicated to raising awareness about poverty in Haiti and providing Haitian families with education, healthcare and employment opportunities.

“While this is a unique opportunity for those who enjoy spirits, it’s important to remember it is also a fundraiser for a worthwhile cause,” said PLCB Chairman Joseph E. Brion. “We are happy to partner with the Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival organizers and look forward to another incredibly successful event.”

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol and also operates more than 600 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores statewide. Taxes and store profits are returned to Pennsylvania’s General Fund.  For more information about the Liquor Control Board, visit www.lcb.state.pa.us.

Tickets can be purchased for $101.00 online at www.pittsburghwhiskeyfestival.com.

CHIC. LIFE. STYLE.: A 2013 Hollywood Holiday with Kate Hudson and Ann Taylor

Kate Hudson with Muse tour manager, Dom Anderson, and visual effects supervisor, Tom Kirk, in Ann Taylor’s Holiday 2013 campaign

Kate Hudson and Ann Taylor’s new Holiday 2013 campaign and Collection is a toast to a wild, whirlwind holiday season. The brand’s campaign was shot while Hudson was filming the movie “Good People” and touring Europe with fiancé Matt Bellamy, his band Muse, and her two sons. Fashion photographer Mikael Jansson shot Hudson at the Corinthia Hotel wearing her favorites from the holiday collection as she plays with her son, has cocktails with Muse tour manager, Dom, and visual effects supervisor, Tom, wraps presents, and makes her own online Wish List. She effortlessly balances work and play while staying present and savoring every precious moment this time of year. The holiday campaign debuts this November exclusively online and on social media.

Kate Hudson in a Little Black Dress from Ann Taylor’s Holiday 2013 Collection

“This shoot was particularly fun. We were in London and wanted to get people together. I called some of our friends that work with my fiancé’s band. It was fun to be able to bring them into the fashion world. Luckily, I was able to have my family there too, so it made for a very enjoyable day!” Hudson said.

Martell® Cognac Announces the Launch of Martell Caractere(TM) in the United States

The House of Martell Continues to Lead Innovation through its 300 Years of Expertise

Martell, the prestigious House of Cognac founded in 1715, announces the launch of a new cognac, Martell Caractere. The new blend, available exclusively in California, offers style, elegance, complexity and balance pays tribute to the spirit of legendary entrepreneur and Martell founder, Jean Martell.

Jean Martell was an entrepreneur notorious for his strength of character, and Martell Caractere aims to reclaim this spirit. Martell Caractere is rooted in the approaching 300-year-old Martell Method, a unique distillation process passed down from Jean Martell himself. It is created using grapes sourced from Martell’s own vineyards in the Domaine Jean Martell, distilled twice without lees and aged in fine grain French oak barrels. The Martell Cellar Master, Benoit Fil, combines a distinctive blend of two types of eaux-de-vie, the essential components of cognac. The result is a refined blend of elegant taste, revealing a generous character and subtle fruity notes that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in the finest cocktails. Martell Caractere’s distinct tasting notes of citrus, tangerine peel, cinnamon and clove provide superb structure.

“Jean Martell was a man of adventure who constantly sought perfection and elegance, regardless of the challenges it posed,” says Pierre Berard, Senior Vice President, Spirits Marketing, Pernod Ricard USA. “It’s that same tenacity that lives through Martell Caractere today.  The House of Martell continues to lead innovation in cognac and we couldn’t be more pleased to share that innovation in the US with such a distinguished product, Caractere.”

The Martell Caractere launch coincides with the unveiling of a short film, created through a collaboration between Andy Garcia and Martell Caractere, showcasing the journey of Mambo music pioneer Israel “Cachao” Lopez. A complete version of the film will be released in February, in tandem with the launch of the program’s digital platform and social media campaign to reveal new icons, selected through a contest from four walks of life: art, entertainment, cuisine and entrepreneurship.

“The way Jean Martell’s bold and visionary nature was described to me reminded me of my relationship with Israel ‘Cachao’ Lopez, the inventor of the mambo,” said Garcia.  “Both men had a dedication to their passion, pursued their dreams and embody the values Icons of Caractere wants to convey.”

Martell is the oldest of the major Cognac Houses (as well as the international leader in the XO category) and was founded in 1715 in the French Charente region by Jean Martell. Its unique reputation, both within France and beyond, rests upon its rich heritage, together with the skill and creativity that Martell continuously strives to hone. The House’s founding principles are based on the pursuit of perfection, which Jean Martell made his motto. This standard has been the House of Martell’s inspiration ever since. To this day, it lies at the heart of every cognac it has created.

The International Association of Lighting Designers Announce New Cities For Global “Chase The Dark” Event on 14 November

“To create a better world through leadership and excellence in lighting design; to cultivate the universal acknowledgement and appreciation of the Power of Light in human life.”

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) will “Chase the Dark” across the globe on November 14, 2013, with a series of temporary lighting installations demonstrating the power of light in urban communities. Three new cities will participate in this coordinated, global event: Sydney, Australia; Toronto, ON Canada; and Atlanta, GA USA. UK-based lighting manufacturer acdc LED Ltd. is the global sponsor for this event, and will provide the lighting equipment for each city.

The International Association of Lighting Designers will “Chase the Dark” across the globe on 14 November 2013 with a series of temporary lighting installations in eight countries across eight time zones, in order to demonstrate the power of light in urban communities. IALD UK will take over St Katharine Docks in London, showcasing London-based architect/light-artist Jonathan Mizzi’s light net at dusk, composed of 1000 mini light cubes. (c)Mizzi Studios, 2013. (PRNewsFoto/International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD))

Lighting designers are a tremendous resource of innovative, practical and economically viable lighting solutions. They understand the role of lighting in architectural and interior design and utilize their extensive experience and knowledge of lighting equipment and systems to enhance and strengthen design.

Founded in 1969 and based in Chicago, IL, USA, the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) is an internationally recognized organization dedicated solely to the concerns of independent, professional lighting designers. The IALD strives to set the global standard for lighting design excellence by promoting the advancement and recognition of professional lighting designers. Governed by an 11-member Board of Directors, the IALD is a volunteer association that relies on the active participation of its members. The over 900 lighting designers around the world who are members of the IALD hold a position of distinction and authority in the lighting design profession.

Beginning in Sydney, Australia, at 7:00 P.M. AEDT on Thursday, 14 November 2013, IALD’s Chase the Dark event will follow the setting sun across the globe, illuminating city spaces in Sydney, Australia; Melbourne, Australia; Dubai, UAE; Berlin, Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; London, UK; New York, NY USA; Philadelphia, PA USA; Washington, DC USA; Toronto, ON Canada; Atlanta, GA USA; Chicago, IL USA; St. Louis, MO USA; Mexico City, Mexico; Denver, CO USA; Seattle, WA USA; and finally San Francisco, CA USA.

IALD architectural lighting designers from eight countries spanning eight time zones will take part in this global event. Each host city will invite participants to shape an urban environment with light, creating several miniature lit scenarios over several hours. These displays will be installed for just a matter of moments – the images of each light project will be captured permanently on camera and shared on Twitter using the hashtag #IALDchasedark all evening long.

“IALD’s Chase the Dark is an opportunity for lighting enthusiasts around the world to share their creativity with the public,” said Kevin Theobald, IALD President 2012 + 2013 and Associate Director at GIA Equation in London, UK. “But it’s also a chance for us to unite IALD’s many local communities around the globe in one activity that emphasizes and champions the power of light in human life.”

The event will be locally hosted and organized by chapters of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), an internationally recognized organization dedicated to the concerns of independent, professional lighting designers. Distributors Inter-Lux, JSB, Rebel Light and StageLED will assist with regional support and host local viewing parties for participating IALD lighting designers.

For more information on IALD’s Chase the Dark, or to find out where designers will chase the dark in your community, visit www.iald.me/chasethedark .

Filling Your Home With Music Has Never Been Easier Than With The New Sonos PLAY:1

THIS COMPACT AND POWERFUL WIRELESS SPEAKER ENABLES YOU TO START OR EXPAND YOUR SONOS SYSTEM AND WILL TRANSFORM YOUR HOME LISTENING EXPERIENCE – AVAILABLE TODAY FOR $199

Sonos® ( www.sonos.com), the leading manufacturer of wireless HiFi, today introduced the SONOS PLAY:1, a compact and powerful wireless speaker that transforms music listening at home.  PLAY:1 streams all your favorite music to any room in the home, in high fidelity sound. Available today in the US from select partners and on www.Sonos.com, PLAY:1 retails for $199. And, for a limited time this holiday season, purchases come with a free BRIDGE valued at $49.

SONOS PLAY:1. (PRNewsFoto/Sonos, Inc.)

“Sonos was created upon the belief you should never have to choose between quality sound and an easy way to access all your music at home,” said John MacFarlane, CEO, Sonos, Inc. “The PLAY:1 makes getting started with Sonos even more accessible to music lovers than ever before.”

PLAY:1 is a smart speaker that features hardware and software designed by Sonos to ensure the best possible performance for the size. A custom-designed mid-woofer and tweeter deliver deep, rich and surprisingly big sound. With a powerful low-end and crisp mids and highs, new smart processing technology pushes Sonos’ drivers further than ever before, minimizing distortion even at full volume. Plus, PLAY:1 projects a wide field of sound, delivering a great listening experience no matter where you are sitting in the room. And since the Sonos wireless network is devoted to streaming music in HiFi sound, you’ll enjoy smooth music wirelessly without dropouts anywhere in your home.

Sonos Inc. (PRNewsFoto/Sonos, Inc.)

PLAY:1 is built to last with premium materials and rock-solid construction. A sealed architecture creates resistance to the most humid conditions in the home, even steam from a running shower.

PLAY:1 lets you stream all the music on earth and access it all using a single, easy to use app. Play millions of songs and playlists from the most popular music services like Pandora, Spotify, Hype Machine and Rdio; listen to your personal music library, whether it’s stored on your computer, in the cloud, on your smartphone or on your tablet; or tune in to more than 100,000 free Internet radio stations, podcasts, and shows from around the world.

PLAY:1 comes with all the unique benefits that can only be found in a Sonos Wireless HiFi System including SONOS PLAY:3, SONOS PLAY:5, SONOS PLAYBAR and more:

— Control your favorite music sources and listening experience with the free, intuitive Sonos Controller apps for iPad(®) iPhone(®), Android(TM), Mac and PC.

— Add more PLAY:1s or combine with other Sonos wireless speakers or components around the home for the ultimate, multi-room HiFi system.

— Pair two PLAY:1 units for amazing stereo sound, or use two PLAY:1s as rear speakers with PLAYBAR and a SONOS SUBTM to create 5.1 home theater sound for your TV.

The minimalist design of PLAY:1 features a new button on top of the cabinet that allows you to play and pause your music with a single push of a button. You can also press the same button twice quickly to easily skip to the next track, a feature that has been requested frequently from the Sonos community. And because all Sonos products are designed to get better over time, customers with existing Sonos players can take advantage of the new play/pause functionality with the latest software update, available today.

For more information on SONOS PLAY:1 including where to buy, technical specifications and more, please visit www.sonos.com/PLAY1.

DSW celebrates first “National Shoe Lover Day” with ‘Free Shoes for a Year’ Sweepstakes

DSW Inc. (www.DSWinc.com), a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer, introduces one entire day devoted to shoe love. National Shoe Lover Day, DSW’s unofficial official holiday, falls on Saturday, October 26, 2013.

One lucky shopper at nearly 400 DSW stores will win a chance to get FREE SHOES FOR A YEAR on Oct 26. (PRNewsFoto/DSW Inc.)

To celebrate the new holiday, DSW is giving Shoe Lovers everywhere the chance to win free shoes for a year. Each of the 390 stores nationwide, as well as www.dsw.com, will participate in this sweepstakes. Customers who make a purchase on that day, from a store or from www.dsw.com, will receive a peel-off card—if the card is a “free shoes for a year” winner, that customer will receive bonus cards throughout the year. There will be one winner per store and one winner from www.dsw.com (more info here: http://tiny.cc/FSFY). Additionally, DSW stores will have other prizes and giveaways for their Shoe Lovers on the big day.

“We are excited to finally launch this fabulous holiday,” said Kelly Cook, Senior Vice President of Marketing, DSW Inc. “One whole day to celebrate gorgeous shoes and party with our superstar Shoe Lovers? There’s absolutely nothing better than that!”

DSW has also released its first-ever book, Do You Speak Shoe Lover? in celebration of National Shoe Lover Day and Shoe Lovers everywhere. It is available for purchase at DSW stores, www.dsw.com, and select book retailers nationwide.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin, Officially Opens in Historical Heart of the City, ‘The Port of the Emperor’

Guests To Enjoy Art Deco Destination Experience in North East China

Images provided by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel company L.L.C.

After much anticipation, The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin ( No. 167 Dagubei Road, Heping District, Tianjin, China 300040, www.ritzcarlton.com/tianjin), the newest luxury hotel in North East China opened its doors officially bringing unparalleled luxury service and accommodation to Tianjin, ‘The Port of the Emperor’. The art deco style property is a landmark 10th property in China for the luxury hotel operator.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin sits at the historical heart of the former British concession and modern downtown business district by the Haihe River. The property takes its architectural inspiration from the neo-classical style of the early 20th century with stately hotel rooms arranged around an expansive courtyard in the European tradition. The distinctive architectural medley of the “Five Avenues” and the shining towers of the city’s Central Business District offer a perfect base from which to seek out professional success and personal inspiration in Northeast China.

“The opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin in one of China’s most strategically important cities reflects our desire to meet the growing Chinese appetite for international luxury hospitality experiences,” said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operations Officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. “The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin represents a major new destination opportunity that will accelerate the recognition by the luxury Chinese guests of our service commitment to create memorable experiences that stay with guests for life.”

The stunning interiors with high ceilings and expanses of marble mirror many of the palaces of Europe and the walls feature hand painted murals of traditional European scenes and Chinese imperial paintings with elegant soft furnishings that create a sense of history and place. With a 1,050 square meter versatile Grand Ballroom and a unique courtyard in the tradition of Europe’s palaces, corporate meetings, events and weddings can be crafted into unique experiences that guests will long remember after each event is past. The landmark Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin is 30 minutes from Tianjin Binhai International Airport and just 30 minutes from China’s capital, Beijing, by high speed train.

Featuring 277 luxurious art deco guestrooms and 53 suites, ranging from 50 to 410 square meters, created by luxury hospitality designer, Pierre-Yves Rochon, leisure and business travelers alike will enjoy the refined elegance of the comfortable chandeliered rooms, many complete with buttressed stone outdoor balconies and charming views of downtown Tianjin.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin Lobby

Stylish, comfortable and spacious, The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin’s rooms reflect the city’s rich multicultural history. Ranging from 50 to 410 square meters in size, each guest room and suite offers charming downtown views; attentive personalized service and exclusive amenities. Each room features high-quality LCD televisions and Blu-ray Disc players in addition to touch-panel environmental controls; Ritz-Carlton signature linens and featherbeds and Purple Water luxury bath amenities by storied British luxury house Asprey. Guest Room Features & Amenities includes:

2013 PhotoPlus Expo Preview: Panel Discussion — The Future of Photography Kicks Off PhotoPlus Expo

PDN Senior Tech Editor Dan Havlik Moderates Panelists Scott Kelby, Chuck Westfall, Steve Heiner, Chris Chute, and Mark Weir

This year, PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo is celebrating its 30th anniversary, so it seems fitting the trade show would kick off its anniversary show featuring a panel discussion with leading tech experts about what photography will bring through the year 2020.  On Wednesday evening, October 23, PhotoPlus Expo will present, “2020 Vision: What Will Photography Look Like in the Next Decade,” from 5:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. at the Javits Convention Center in New York City.  Admission is free for all registered exhibitors and attendees of PhotoPlus Expo 2013.

Designed for professionals in the photographic and imaging industries, the PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo showcases the latest advances in photography, digital imaging and video. Held annually at the Javits Convention Center, attendees have the opportunity to explore an inspiring array of photography and imaging products and services – everything from image capture and color management to retouching and storage – all from the industry’s leading manufacturers.  The show also offers photography, video and digital imaging seminars taught by world-renowned experts with a focus on cutting-edge innovations in digital imaging products and techniques.

Immediately following the panel discussion, PhotoPlus will host Test Drive: New Product Preview + Networking Event from 6:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m., which will give registered attendees a sneak peek at some of latest technologies from exhibitors at this year’s show. Attendance is free to all registered attendees of PhotoPlus Expo 2013.

The panel, consisting of five industry leaders including Scott Kelby (Kelby Media Group), Chuck Westfall (Canon USA), Steve Heiner (Nikon USA), Mark Weir (Sony America), and Chris Chute (International Data Corp), will offer personal and professional insights about how technology will transform photography over the next seven years through 2020.  Panelists will also offer their thoughts about how future technology will change the overall dynamics of photography and the photo industry.  Dan Havlik, PDN’s Senior Technology Editor, will moderate the panel and encourage audience participation.

“To celebrate our 30th anniversary, this year’s theme is ‘honoring the past, envisioning the future,’ and we wanted to kick off the show with a discussion hearing from industry experts about how they envision  the future of photography based on their years of experience,” explains Lauren Wendle, vice president and publisher, The Photo Group.  “As an industry, it is helpful for us to look back at our accomplishments, but more important, explore the possibilities and opportunities ahead of us.  That is what PhotoPlus Expo has always represented and it is more important than ever before.”

People may register to attend PhotoPlus Expo free through October 22, 2013, including free admission to the panel discussion, Test Drive event and the PhotoPlus 30th Anniversary BASH.  The fee to register onsite for the expo is $70.

Dan Havlik is a freelance writer, editor and photographer based in New York City. He currently serves as Senior Technology Editor Photo District News and Rangefinder magazines. He also writes for a variety of consumer electronics and photography magazines and web sites including Wired, Maxim, Imaging Resource, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Reports and LAPTOP.

About the Panelists

Scott Kelby

Scott is Editor, Publisher, and co-founder of Photoshop User magazine, Executive Editor and Publisher of Light It (the how-to magazine for studio lighting and off-camera flash), is host of The Grid, the weekly live talk show for photographers, and publishes a daily blog. He is President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), the trade association for Adobe® Photoshop® users, and he’s the President and CEO of the training, education, and publishing firm, Kelby Media Group, Inc.

Chuck Westfall

After earning a degree in Professional Photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology and accumulating some valuable on-the-job experience during a 10-year stint in commercial photography and photo retail, Chuck Westfall began his corporate career with Canon U.S.A. in 1982 as a Technical Representative. He has steadily advanced through the ranks to achieve his present position as Technical Advisor for the company’s Imaging Technology & Communications Group (ITCG), working out of Canon U.S.A.’s headquarters office in Melville, NY. Among his many assignments, Chuck Westfall is currently Canon USA’s main media spokesman for professional imaging products. He also provides a unique insider’s perspective to financial analysts who follow the company’s ITCG sales and marketing activities. On the personal side, Chuck enjoys sightseeing, photography, reading, music, and family life with his wife and daughter.

Christopher Chute

Christopher Chute is a Director with IDC’s Worldwide Digital Imaging Practice. His research portfolio focuses on transformative technology trends impacting the imaging market.  Mr. Chute’s specific coverage includes digital imaging and video technology adoption across professional, broadcast/creative, consumer and physical security/surveillance. He conducts forecasting, product and service analysis and user segmentation for these vertical markets through a variety of supply and demand-side studies and consulting engagements. Mr. Chute’s research has often centered around charting the disruption caused by IT transformation on status-quo industries, such as the migration from film to digital in the photography market, commoditization/democratization of broadcast/cinema video capture and photofinishing, and the impact of cloud services and tablet usage on the imaging industry. Mr. Chute holds both undergraduate and MBA degrees from Boston College.

Steve Heiner

After working as a photojournalist for several hometown newspapers in his native state of Utah, Steve joined Nikon in 1985 as a Technical Representative in Dallas Texas, then later in Sunnyvale California, and Salt Lake City, Utah. During his time in the field, he provided technical assistance and training to many pro photographers at major sporting and news events. He has trained government and military specialists all around the country and even at sea in the use of Nikon products. Steve also taught the Nikon School of Photography for 2 years. He joined the Nikon management team in their New York headquarters in 1999 where he holds the position of Senior Technical Manager and Media Spokesperson.

Mark Weir

Mark Weir is the Senior Technology Manager for Sony’s Digital Imaging business in the US. A 13 year veteran of Sony’s Digital Imaging division, he is well versed in the technology and design of digital cameras.  With of a love of photography that spans nearly 50 years, he has been a working pro, a camera planner, and a photo educator.

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