SAG-AFTRA to Hold Second National Convention

Los Angeles (Sept. 29, 2015) – Union leaders, delegates and special guests will converge in Southern California for the second biennial SAG-AFTRA National Convention, taking place Oct. 1-4 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.   

With the theme of Educate, Engage, Empower, the convention brings together hundreds of member delegates, including national officers, national board members, local presidents and members from across the country to discuss and decide on items vital to the future of the union.

The convention will include the nomination and election of executive and national vice presidents and consideration of constitutional amendments and resolutions proposed by the national board, locals and member delegates. Social events include a Gala Under the Stars on the famed Brownstone Street at Warner Bros. which includes the presentation of the American Scene Awards, which honors the realistic portrayals of the American Scene through employment of the diverse union membership, as well as a presentation of the George Heller Memorial Award, a prestigious honor — a SAG-AFTRA gold card — bestowed on member leaders and/or staff who have made a significant contribution through years of service to SAG-AFTRA.

The schedule of SAG-AFTRA’s convention is as follows:

Thursday, Oct. 1:  Delegate check-in to begin in the afternoon. Late afternoon National Board Meeting (open to National Board members and designated alternates only) followed by a welcome reception open only to convention delegates. 

Friday, Oct. 2: Convention opening session, featuring executive, geographic and member category vice president elections. The afternoon will include a Local Presidents Forum (open to Local Presidents and authorized attendees only) followed by consideration of proposed constitutional amendments and resolutions. In the evening, the union hosts the Gala Under the Stars featuring the American Scene Awards and George Heller Memorial Award presentation on the Warner Bros. backlot.

Saturday, Oct. 3: National Executive Director's Report and Q&A; consideration of proposed constitutional amendments and resolutions; and five panels and workshops: Global Engagement: Working Together to Empower and Protect Performers Around the World; A Celebration of Diversity: The American Scene in Action; The Art and Science of Organizing; What You Should Know About SAG-AFTRA Contracts; and The Evolution of the Media Landscape, its Economics and Our Work.

Sunday, Oct. 4: Convention will conclude with officer reports from SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard, Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin, and the newly elected executive vice president (who is elected Friday at the convention).

The SAG-AFTRA National Board will meet following the conclusion of convention on Monday and Tuesday.