The economic impact of the film and entertainment industries operating in the Santa Clarita Valley will be the topic of discussion during the College of the Canyons Chancellor’s Circle 2012 Annual Business Symposium.

Featuring an exciting lineup of guest speakers, this year’s Business Symposium event will provide attendees with valuable tips and information about how local business owners and organizations can begin doing business with the numerous film productions that visit the Santa Clarita Valley each month.

In addition, a forecast pertaining to the state of the entertainment industry in Santa Clarita, along with insights about some of the major projects scheduled to take place at Santa Clarita Studios in the coming months will be included.

Attendees will also have the option of touring the college’s state-of-the-art Media, Entertainment and Arts facility, Mentry Hall, to see first hand how COC is preparing students for careers in these vital local industries.

“Recent projections indicate that the film and entertainment industries will continue to play an important role in our local economy,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “The 2012 Annual Business Symposium will focus on the impact of these industries right here in Santa Clarita, which is a topic of great interest to our local business and community leaders.”

The 4th Annual Chancellor’s Circle Business Symposium will take place Friday, March 23 from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., in Mentry Hall, Room 305, located on the college’s Valencia campus.

Breakfast will be served in the third-floor reception area on the south side of Mentry Hall at the start of the event. The lineup of scheduled speakers and presentation topics for the morning includes:

* Laurie Ender, Mayor, City of Santa Clarita

Recent Santa Clarita Valley Film Projects

* Richard Ballering, Vice President, Production Operations, ABC Studios

Film and Entertainment in the SCV: What Does the Future Hold?

* Mike DeLorenzo, President, Santa Clarita Studios

Entertainment in the SCV and Current Projects at Santa Clarita Studios

* Jim McClafferty, Supervising Location Manager, NCIS

How to Connect with the Film Industry

Registration for the Chancellor’s Circle Business Symposium is free for Chancellor’s Circle members and $25 for non-members. Tickets are available through the COC Foundation.

All reservations must be received by 3 p.m. Thursday, March 22. Space for this event is limited.

About the Chancellor’s Circle

The Chancellor’s Circle is a partnership between College of the Canyons and a diverse group of businesses, community members, non-profit groups, government leaders and others who are committed to strengthening the community by actively supporting strong partnerships.

Through their membership fees, Chancellor’s Circle members help raise funds to assist deserving students in affording college, as well as for special programs that enhance educational access for students.

For more information about the College of the Canyons Chancellor’s Circle or to register to attend the 2012 Annual Business Symposium please contact the COC Foundation at (661) 362-3737.