The 30th anniversary of the HPA Tech Retreat may have just concluded, but the conversation continues to buzz across social media and in discussions throughout the community. After four days filled with stimulating talks, thoughtful debates, and valuable networking in the desert, the Retreat lived up to its reputation of driving its members and supporters toward the knowledge and perspective needed to navigate an ever-changing future.
The HPA Tech Retreat has always been a unique event. It's not just about attending conference sessions; it's about time and access-time to debate, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversations with industry peers. Attendees have the opportunity to network, converse, and interact with the brightest minds in the business.
The event kicked off on Sunday with a relaxing, bonding social day that featured a golf tournament, pickleball, yoga, and a bourbon tasting. The day culminated with a splashy welcome cocktail party, setting the tone for a week of lively discussion and connection.
From Monday through the end of the conference, a distinguished lineup of industry experts, artists, and visionaries took the stage to share their experiences and insights. Check out the full list of presenters here.
Innovation Zone: A New Stage for Technology Exploration
Monday morning's HPA Tech Retreat brunch welcomed attendees and opened the door to the Innovation Zone, an immersive environment for exploring new technologies and meeting experts. This year, the Innovation Zone debuted a stage, offering short tech presentations throughout the week, allowing attendees to experience emerging innovations firsthand.
Affordable Production Focus
Monday afternoon sessions, led by Mark Chiolis and Craig German, dove deep into the increasingly crucial topic of affordable production. Michael Cioni of Strada delivered an opening keynote, followed by presentations from industry leaders like Karyn Temple (MPA), Joshua Kulic (Mr. Beast), Rachel Joy Victor (fabric.ai), Renard Jenkins (IA2), Lori Schwartz (StoryTech), Angela Victor, Kathryn Brillhart, and many others.
AI in Film and TV Production: The Supersession
The 2025 Supersession topic, The Evolving Human Role in AI-Driven Film and TV Production and Post-Production Workflows. This session delved into the ever-evolving roles humans play in key business functions, as AI transforms the landscape. Panels examined how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human creativity.
One again the Supersession featured its Live without a Net segment, where live demos and tests go on during the conference. This year, professionals in animation, video editing, and visual effects attempted to complete tasks-traditionally requiring days-within a single day using AI-driven tools. From AI-driven analytics for marketing strategies to advanced scriptwriting tools, the session explored how AI is fostering a symbiotic relationship between technology and human creativity. How did it turn out? As expected, there were successes and learning curves, but the results were eye-opening.
Over 30 Panels with Industry Thought Leaders
Wednesday and Thursday's program, curated by longtime programmer Mark Schubin and the programming committee, featured more than 30 panels covering diverse topics. These sessions, led by an impressive group of panelists and moderators, provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of media and entertainment. Schubin's Year in Review session was as insightful and popular as ever.
As always, the days were wrapped up with the popular What Just Happened segment hosted by Leon Silverman and Annie Chang, providing a lighthearted yet thoughtful look back at the week's highlights.
Breakfast Roundtables: Deep Dives with Experts
From Tuesday to Thursday, over 90 breakfast roundtables provided attendees the opportunity to engage in focused discussions with expert moderators on a variety of hot topics. The tables were packed, with lively debates and idea exchanges shaping the conversations.
A Memorable Week with New Insights and Connections
The VP Land Podcast, summed up the Retreat the HPA Tech Retreat stands apart from other industry events due to its carefully crafted environment. The event's structure naturally facilitates connections, and HPA has truly mastered the art of empowering meaningful interactions.
For other editorial coverage of the week, be sure to check out the reports from Carolyn Giardina at Variety, and imdb and James O'Neal at TV Technology. Additionally, search #HPATechRetreat on LinkedIn for a variety of comments, insights, and reflections. Feel free to share and post your own thoughts too!
Save the Date: HPA Tech Retreat 2026
It's never too early to mark your calendar for next year's HPA Tech Retreat! Join us from February 15-19, 2026, as we continue to shape the future of the industry. Planning for next year's event is already underway, and we're excited to make it even more impactful.
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