Meeting was called to order at 7:45 PM at the New Yorker Hotel, by Al Ritondo, President. New Members and Guests were introduced.
Kathy Ritondo, Acting Executive Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting. Members were notified of the hotels inability to host the July meeting due to availability constraints. Members then discussed the possibility of a pot luck picnic or a field trip. We’ll continue to research possibilities and bring it back for a vote in June.
Other Announcements: NYPV is using the software donated last month by After Affects to produce a new members promotional CD-ROM. Members were asked to speak on camera about what NYPV membership has done for them. 
Many thanks go out to NYPV member Matt Guerra who donated his talents videotaping the testimonials on his brand new Panasonic DVX100. Al Ritondo is also donating his talents as editor on his DPS Velocity. The CD-ROMs will be duplicated and distributed at the Armato’s Expo Association Table.
As part of our new membership drive beginning in June each member that signs up a new NYPV member will receive a free extra month added to their membership. To qualify you must be sure that the new member lists you as the person who signed them up. Only one person will be given credit for the new member.
The Videomaker East Expo will be held in Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel in New Jersey beginning on Wednesday June 18th with the full conference beginning Thursday June 19th. Al and Kathy Ritondo will be teaching the Wedding Video class Wednesday, June 18th from 5pm - 6pm and on the Wedding Video panel from 6pm - 7 pm. The Wedding Video class will be given again on Thursday June 19th at 10:30am. Free Passes to the trade show floor were distributed to NYPV members.
DV Expo East will be held at The Jacob Javits Center from July 8th to July 10th.
The first speaker was Dennis Hopkins of Armato’s Photo and Video a video dealer in Glendale, Queens. He began our annual NAB Wrap Up. In addition he spoke about the Armato’s Expo to be held on Wednesday, May 21st. Armato’s donates a table for local associations to promote membership and will do so again this year. The show is open from 10 AM to 7PM. We are asking for volunteers to sit at the table to help distribute the brochures and CD-ROMs to potential members.
Next up was Tim Ryan who was also at NAB and reported that this was the first time you could actually get around to all the exhibits. He also reminded us that it is not all about the technology and equipment but what you do with it! He reminded us about WEVA Expo in Bally’s Las Vegas which begins August 25 - August 28th. The Creative Excellence Awards and the Special Awards are held on Thursday afternoon.
NYPV member Tommie McAuley reported back from NAB that the most important thing to know is to bring the right shoes!
Our featured speaker John Weppler, President of LIVA and owner of Premier Video in Long Island, NY showed us his raw footage and described how he edits it. 
Using non synchronous audio, audio under beds, lots of cutaways and clear communication with the client prior to the edit are some of the tools and techniques that John uses to take a 45 minute ceremony and cut it to 6 minutes. He showed examples of a Catholic Mass, Greek Orthodox and Jewish services. John took the time to answer questions. Thanks for all your time John!
John also invited NYPV members to join LIVA for the Annual Family Picnic in July! Details will follow for those interested in attending the all day of fun and eats. Al & I have attended almost every year!
