Nashville Hits the Right Note for Major Photographic Industry Event

Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center hosts Imaging USA, an international convention and tradeshow for professional photographers, January 10-12, 2010.

Atlanta, GA ( Vocus/PRWEB ) September 26, 2009 -- Imaging USA, one of the world's largest events for professional photographers, has picked Music City, USA, for its 2010 convention and tradeshow. Imaging USA expects to rock the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center with more than 8,000 photographic industry specialists when its annual convention opens on January 10.

The country's longest running photographic convention will feature a unique combination of artistic and business education designed specifically for professional photographers, whether they've been in business for years, or are just starting out. "For a photographer, true success is a combination of artistic and business skills," states Ron Nichols, president of Professional Photographers of America (PPA). "And we believe the best education for both sides of the photographic success equation can be found at Imaging USA."

Presented by an alliance of PPA, the Society of Sport and Event Photographers (SEP), Commercial Photographers International (CPI), and Evidence Photographers International Council (EPIC), Imaging USA is expected to draw attendees from around the world. It features presentations by some of the industry's biggest names, including Yervant, Tony Corbell, Denis Reggie, Katrin Eismann and Jeff and Julia Woods, among others.

Renowned among photographers for its intensive educational offerings, Imaging USA classes focus on different photographic specialties and "tricks of the trade" geared towards improving a photographer's business skills, photographic repertoire and use of technologies. Classes run all day with breaks in between so attendees can visit the Imaging Expo where hundreds of the industry's leading vendors showcase their products. "Regardless of what product I'm looking for, the Imaging Expo always seems to have it. Plus, vendors typically offer deals at the show that aren't always available elsewhere," says Nichols.

"You see the best of the best at Imaging USA," adds Ernie Johnson, PPA member and executive director of the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TPPA). "The vendors are industry leaders, the products are cutting-edge and the education is unmatched. TPPA members are very excited that Imaging USA chose Nashville as its venue this year--it's a wonderful networking opportunity for photographers in Tennessee and surrounding areas."

Nichols says Nashville's central location was a key consideration for this visual artists' conference. "Many of our members are within a day's driving distance of Nashville, making this year's venue a very attractive option when travel budgets are tight."

Other notable features of Imaging USA 2010:

* World's Largest Annual Print Exhibit--Open to the Public. The world's largest annual photographic exhibit will features over 2,300 images this year. The display is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

* Special Events and Presentations. A full slate of exclusive events and parties will be brought to attendees by platinum plus sponsors, including White House Custom Colour, Kodak and Canon.

* Pre-Convention Courses. Imaging USA will offer three days of in-depth pre-convention programming for an additional fee (from classes on the business of photography to hands-on workshops that allow photographers to work with several different pros, one at a time).

* Specialty classes for sport and event photography. Imaging USA attendees can also take classes (for no additional fee) at SEPCON, the co-located Sport and Event Photographers Conference.

* Evidence Photographers International Council School and Certification Classes. For an additional fee, attendees can participate in EPIC School to learn about forensic and crime scene photography.

Registration for the conference is open to all professional photographers and several options are available, including full conference and one-day passes. A special promotion includes a free full conference registration for new members who join PPA prior to the show. For more information about Imaging USA or to register for the conference, visit www.imagingusa.org or call 800-786-6277.

About Imaging USA
Imaging USA began in 1880 as the annual convention and tradeshow for Professional Photographers of America and is the longest running national photographic convention, expo and image exhibition in the United States. Always growing and evolving, Imaging USA became home to two new conferences in 2006: SEPCON (the Sport and Event Photographers Conference), the annual conference of the Society of Sport and Event Photographers, and the Commercial Photography Conference, the annual conference of Commercial Photographers International. In 2006, Imaging USA also welcomed Adobe as an official sponsor of the Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom for Photographers track, now the Adobe Photography Solutions track. In 2008, Imaging USA welcomed EPIC School (Evidence Photographers International Council). For registration information and complete program details, visit www.imagingusa.org.

About Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Professional Photographers of America (PPA), an international nonprofit association for professional photographers, exists to assist its 22,000 members in achieving their professional, artistic, and fraternal goals; promote public awareness of the profession; and to advance the making of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science and a visual recorder of history. For more information, visit www.ppa.com or call 800.786.6277.

About Society of Sport and Event Photographers (SEP)
The Society of Sport & Event Photographers (SEP) is a private, nonprofit association dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of sport and event photographers. SEP marshals the resources of the event photography industry and delivers them to its members via their exclusive online content, Action News publication and live events. For more information, visit www.SEPsociety.com or call 877-427-3778.

About Commercial Photographers International (CPI)
Commercial Photographers International (CPI) is a nonprofit organization focused on the changing needs of commercial photographers. For more information, visit www.MyCPI.com.

About Evidence Photographers International Council (EPIC)
Evidence Photographers International Council (EPIC) was founded in 1968 as a nonprofit educational and scientific organization with the primary purpose of advancing evidence photography. In 2009, the Evidence Photographer Certification was launched, dedicated to raising the standard in the industry. For more information, please visit www.EvidencePhotographers.com or call 866-868-EPIC (3742).

Contact:
Angela Wijesinghe
(404) 522-8600, ext. 226
www.ppa.com; www.imagingusa.org