PROGRAM
CON-LO-CON is media and entertainment’s only localization conference focused exclusively on the commercial and technology impacts of the industry. With speakers from major studios, streaming companies, and innovative technology companies, the event offers the best forum for global storytellers to gain the insights needed to meet the needs of global audiences.
8.30 am - 9.00 am
Registration
9.00 am - 9.30 am
Creator-Led Entertainment:
Scaling Content for Worldwide Audiences
9.30 am - 10.15 am
The Rise of Local Originals & Regional Powerhouses
10.15 am - 10.45 am
Networking Break
10.45 am - 11.30 am
Micro-Dramas: How vertical, episodic storytelling is redefining global content formats
11.30 am - 12.15 pm
Building Vertical Content at Scale
12.15 pm - 2.50 pm
Hermes Awards Luncheon
2.50 pm - 3.30 pm
Vertical Gold Rush 2.0:
What’s Next for the Format?
3.30 pm - 4.00 pm
Strata: A New Foundation for Media Localization
4.00 pm - 5.00 pm
Social Hour
Tickets
Join us for a full day of programming. Your ticket includes conference sessions, networking opportunities, a social hour, and the Hermes Awards Luncheon.
EGA members are eligible for savings through member-only discount codes. Please check your email for your member code, or contact the EGA team for assistance.
Pricing:
Members: $695
Non-Members: $995
Registration ends April 2, 2026
One (1) all-access ticket for EGA’s Content Localization Conference (CON-LO-CON) and Hermes Awards Luncheon in Los Angeles County, CA, April 16, 2026.
No refunds. No transfers. The program is subject to change.
Speakers • Sessions • Presenters
Creator-Led Entertainment:
Scaling Content for Worldwide Audiences
Digital creators are evolving into full-scale entertainment brands—building loyal audiences, producing premium content, and distributing globally. This session explores how they scale production, expand across platforms, and reach global audiences fast, and what the industry can learn from their audience-first approach.
Palestrina McCaffrey
Little Remy Food
Mazin Al‑Jumaili
SVP, Worldwide Localization Visual Data (Moderator)
The Rise of Local Originals & Regional Powerhouses
As global audiences embrace stories beyond traditional production centers, regional content ecosystems are becoming powerful forces in international entertainment. This panel explores how local originals are breaking through globally, how regional hubs are reshaping development, financing, and distribution, and the key role localization plays in helping these stories travel across cultures and platforms.
Amy Takahara
Founder
Sigma Girl Media
Alberto De La Puente Nieto
Senior Director, WW Localization, TVD, NBCUniversal, Moderator
Christian Ditlev Bruun Partner, Co-Founder
Northern Lights Entertainment
Micro-Dramas: How vertical, episodic storytelling is redefining global content formats
Rebekah Kochan
Co-CEO
Golden Artists Entertainment
Dana Protsyshak
Founder
Dana Productions, Vert-I-Go Media, & LA Vertical Drama Market
Justin Saucedo
Founder and Head Writer
Lunar Ticks
Chris Wicke
Founder
Embr Entertainment
Building Vertical Content at Scale
What does it take to produce vertical episodic content for today’s mobile-first audiences? This session explores the full production ecosystem. From creative development and production workflows to audience engagement, global adaptation, and monetization. Featuring insights from one of the leading studios in the space, we’ll break down how vertical content is produced at speed and scale, and what it takes to win attention in a scroll-driven world.
Erin McFarlane
Head of Vertical Content
Dhar Mann Studios
Nicky McBride Chief Revenue Officer, Iyuno Moderator
Vertical Gold Rush 2.0:
What’s Next for the Format?
Austin Herring Founder & CEO Snow Story Productions
Scott Carroll
Director of English Audio Description & Dubbing
IDC NY
This fireside chat explores the untapped male audience, how global formats are evolving beyond Chinese remakes, and whether AI will reshape vertical production or reinforce its human-driven appeal. As the market matures, we’ll examine where the next wave of growth will come from and what it means for platforms, creators, and global audiences.
Strata: A New Foundation for Media Localization
Per Naucler
Founder, Plint
Where conventional approaches capture context and pass it between teams, Strata builds a complete, structured understanding of source content before any output is generated. Every deliverable produced from that single foundation — consistently, traceably, and at scale.
2026 Hermes Awards Presenters
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Alessandra Piovera
Warner Bros. Discovery
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Andrea Riehle
NBCUniversal
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Catherine Sutton
Amazon MGM Studios
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Chris Renner
NBCUniversal
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Gray Ainsworth
Lionsgate
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John Estrada
NBCUniversal
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Justin Cook
Crunchyroll
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Karen Tsai
Lionsgate
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Kelly Bouchey
Sony Pictures
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Maggie Vlahovic
DreamWorks Animation
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Margo Tone
Amazon MGM Studios
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Mark Sgriccia
Lionsgate
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Sam James
Sony Pictures
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Scott McCarthy
DreamWorks Animation
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Zachary Sheets
Paramount
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Zeb Buchanan
Sony Pictures
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Michael Kohn
Lucasfilm
Venue, Parking, and Directions
Badge Pick-Up
Your conference badge will be available for pickup between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm at the registration table in the Grand Foyer.
Contact Information
Please email membership@egassociation.org for questions before or during the event.
Venue Address
Hyatt Regency Valencia
24500 Town Center Dr
Valencia, CA 91355
Directions to Venue
From Los Angeles Int’l Airport (35 miles): Take San Diego Freeway (I-405 North) to Golden State Freeway (I-5 North). Exit McBean Parkway. Hotel on left between Valencia Boulevard and Magic Mountain Parkway. Enter Town Center Drive.
From Burbank Airport (20 miles): Take Hollywood Way North to Golden State Freeway (I-5 North). Exit McBean Parkway. Hotel on left between Valencia Boulevard and Magic Mountain Parkway. Enter Town Center Drive.
Parking instructions
Covered parking is located off Town Center Dr, across from the hotel. It will be on the right side of the hotel driveway when you arrive. Additional uncovered parking is available at the hotel’s back lot accessible from McBean Parkway, or continue past the covered parking lot and through the roundabout to arrive at the uncovered parking lot. The uncovered lot is the preferred event parking area with direct access to the Grand Foyer.
Directions to Grand Foyer & Grand Ballroom
From Main Parking Structure
From the main entrance; walk through the hotel lobby, keep left and follow the hallway through the Garden Foyer to the Grand Foyer. The Grand Ballroom is located off the Grand Foyer.
Directions to Grand Foyer & Grand Ballroom
From Conference Parking Lot
The uncovered parking lot allows for direct access from the parking lot to the Grand Foyer and Grand Ballroom, providing easy and convenient access to the event.
Hotel Room Block
We’ve secured a room block for conference attendees at the host property: Hyatt Regency ValenciaA dedicated booking link has been arranged for CON-LO-CON guests. Preferential rates will be available through the group block until Thursday, March 26, 2026 (or until sold out).
We encourage attendees to reserve early to ensure availability within the block.
