This past April, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium overflowed with vendors and attendees for the 23rd annual Association of Film Commissioners International Locations Trade Show.

The AFCI show was packed to the brim, with 106 booths representing U.S. film commissions and 79 on behalf of international locations. More than 30 countries were on hand from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North, South, and Central America, as well as the Caribbean and South Pacific. Additionally, hotels, production services, publications and a variety of other exhibitors vied for the attention of the estimated 4,000 visitors who came from various areas of the entertainment industry, seeking information on filming locales, services, and incentives.

The auditorium buzzed with news about tax rebates, new production facilities, crew availability, accommodations, and film festivals. And there was the pleasant hum of networking among film commissions from across the U.S. and around the globe.

Proud of the state’s growing production community, Christopher Stelly, director of the Louisiana Office of Film & Television Development, enthusiastically exchanged ideas and contacts with interested trade show goers. Among those on hand were Lisa Yates from the Southwest Louisiana Office, Arlena Acree from the Shreveport Office, and Amy Mitchell-Smith of the Baton Rouge Film Office.

The Aloha spirit was also going strong. Hawaii Film Office’s Donne Dawson, and film commissioners from the Hawaiian Islands talked to thousands of visitors about their breathtaking locations. Commissioner Art Umezu of the Kauai Film Commission explained, “We all work together here. If Kauai can’t get the film project, we pitch the other islands. We just want our state to get the productions.”

UK Film Council U.S. executive director Claire Chapman hailed the event as a “huge success.” The UK film industry had good reason to enjoy the Locations Trade Show, as Tara Halloran, senior executive industry relations accepted the Grand Prize of “best in show” for the UK Film Council Pavilion. Not only were representatives from all 12 of the UK’s film agencies on hand to promote their locations, they even served high tea as they “chatted up” producers and production executives. The Rt. Hon. Margaret Hodge MP, the UK’s Minister for Culture, Creative Industries, and Tourism also visited the UK stand and congratulated the UK representatives.

South Africa’s exhibit also received AFCI recognition, and there were many other international representatives, whose presence stood out from the crowd, including Thailand, Kenya, Korea, Jordan, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Spain, and Brazil. There was a large section in the main hall that was under Canada’s banner, with a multitude of representatives from everywhere in the film-friendly country. Of course an officer from the Royal Canadian Mounties was brought in to “patrol the Canadian territories.”

Robin James of the Australian Film Commission and president of the AFCI, noted that this year there was “more stress on financial assistance, locations, sound stages, postproduction facilities, production services, crew, support services and accommodations.”

Bill Lindstrom, CEO of the AFCI, described the show as “a must-attend industry event for those who need to keep up with international location trends, information, and resources because of the unique global networking opportunities.”

Phase two of the AFCI’s global initiatives was launched at the show, including new master classes and seminars addressing concerns of industry professionals. This year’s seminars were designed to help producers find new incentive programs and cope with the “subtleties of foreign productions.

The “Soft Money” seminar put the spotlight on the Middle East, India, China and worldwide production. And the “Greasing Palms on Location” seminar dealt with the “foreign corruption act” and what producers needed to know to avoid conflicting with the law.

Meanwhile, the two new Master Classes offered through AFCI University are “Advanced Studies in Filmmaking” and “Leadership for Film Commissioners.” Information on these courses, along with “Film Commission Professional” is available at www.afci.org.