APACOMMITTEES
How can I participate in an APA committee?
Members of APA may volunteer for any of the committees. For more information on how you can participate and help increase the awareness of audiobooks, please contact any committee chair listed below.
Audio Publishers Association Conference (APAC) - Each year, APA holds this industry event in conjunction with BookExpo America (BEA). The APAC committee plans the educational tracks of this premier event for audio professionals. This year’s goals of the APAC Committee are to increase networking opportunities during the day, improve exhibitor interaction and long-term exposure opportunities and find a venue for the event that accommodates our needs better.
The Audies® - The Audies® awards competition is the only awards program in the United States devoted entirely to recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment. This committee administers and ensures the integrity of the competition. Chair: Ellen Myrick
The Audies® Gala - The finalists and winners of The Audies® competition are honored at a formal dinner and ceremony. Members of the Audie Awards Gala committee assist with the planning of this celebration. This year’s goals of the Audies Gala Committee are to improve entrance to the event flow, find a great and easy to get to venue in LA and improve table/ticketing process. Chair: Janet Benson
Communications - Professionals from various areas of the audio publishing industry work together to enhance APA's programs as well as develop new ones -- all to increase the visibility and listening of audiobooks. Members of this committee meet once a month in New York. Non-residents may participate via conference call. This year’s goals of the Communications Committee are to increase audiobox store participation, continue to increase PR opportunities, including through tradeshows and to share PR opportunities with members in new ways – member call, increased committee membership, inclusion in newsletter. Chair: Theresa Pantazopoulus
E-Newsletter - This committee works to provide APA members with current APA programs and services as well as other industry news. APA's E-Newsletter is distributed monthly to its membership as an exclusive membership benefit. Chair: Janet Benson
Library - For the latest audiobook releases, many listeners visit their local library. This committee's mission is to make certain all libraries have the most current titles and reviews available for their patrons. This year’s goals of the Library Committee are to host the PLA Audiobook Supper, work on Odyssey honorees library tour and participate with Booklist on Odyssey honorees event and submit panel suggestions for ALA Annual conference and host if accepted. Chair: Norma Lilly
Membership - The Membership Committee works to spread the word about APA and its mission. This includes working with other committees to enhance APA's membership benefits and create new ways to better serve APA members. This year’s goals of the Membership Committee are to improve member communications and utilize available technology for further member education including through quarterly topic workshop calls, confirm correct contact information and key company contact and increase networking opportunities. Chair: Robin Whitten
Technology - As audio technolgy changes, it becomes very important for audiobook publishers and manufacturers of that technology to work together for the benefit of both industries. Committee members work with other organizations, such as the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) to standardize the industry technology and regulations. This year’s goals of the Technology Committee are to have a panelist on the content and DRM panel at CES, make sure the R6 WG 11 standard becomes International now that it is a national ANSI standard, and conduct a fall member phone seminar. Chair: Angie Cornette
Research - The Research Committee is responsible for identifying and distributing data to APA members to help them understand and manage their audio business. The committee’s two largest projects are the Consumer Survey and the annual Sales Survey. For both projects the committee determines what information the APA wants, identifies a firm to conduct the research, works with that firm to develop questionnaire, identifies funding sources for the survey, and works with the Communications Committee and APA management to share results with members and to generate media interest in the results. On the Sales Survey, the committee also plays a role in encouraging members to submit their results. In addition, the committee also looks for relevant data from other organizations to share with APA members. This year’s goals of the Research Committee are to finalize and distribute the 2006 sales survey results, work with Communications Committee to use the results from the Urban Mobility Study, conduct a new consumer survey for spring 2008 and conduct the 2007 Sales Survey. Chair: Beth Anderson
Website - One of the best resources available to the audio publishing industry is APA's Web site. This committee ensures that the site provides the latest information to APA members, industry professionals and audiobook consumers. This year’s goals of the Website Committee are to improve online Audies and APAC registration and information, develop a viable members area and redesign site map, look and basic functionality. Chair: Josh Stanton |
