If you are itching to create your own website or you already have one but are looking for a way to improve it, come join WIA for an evening with Richard Carey. This meeting is produced by Masako Kanayama.

Carey is a digital media visionary, veteran producer and developer of social media and games, e-learning and e-business solutions for the web. Over more than 20 years he has pioneered the use of emerging technologies in work for the entertainment, educational, corporate and professional markets. As Managing Director of RC/A Digital Media, Carey currently leads the strategic planning, design and development of digital media products for clients like Konami, Numedeon, Model Games and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Previously, he has held senior product development roles at Pearson, Scholastic and Houghton-Mifflin, and has been a founding principal of several successful media ventures.

Also a sought-after speaker, writer and blogger on games, social media and emerging web technologies, Carey has appeared on panels at ProMax, the Software and Information Industry Association, Game Developers Conference and the Seybold Conference, and has blogged or video-blogged recent Games, Learning & Society, Dust or Magic and SIIA events.

Website: www.richardcarey.net

Date: Thursday, Feb. 26
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
Place: SVA (School of Visual Arts), 209 East 23rd St., betwn 2nd and 3rd Aves, Room 502
RSVP: Masako Kanayama by Tuesday, Feb. 24 at masakokanayama@yahoo.com

If you are not a member, WIA asks for a $10 donation. If you want to join, visit the website at wia.animationblogspot.com.

Women In Animation International is buying the first round of wine, courtesy of Toon Boom, at KidScreen Summit in New York. The cork will pop on Friday, February 13 at the Hilton's Bridges Bar at 5 p.m. Meet WIA hosts, Rita Street, Jan Nagel, Heather Kenyon, Lisa Goldman and Joan Vogelesang, CEO of Toon Boom. No need to be a member, just bring a business card to get in. Visit and join Women In Animation at www.womeninanimation.org.

New York Comic Con (February 6-8 at the Jacob K. Javits Center) is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture event. An enormous show floor plays host to top entertainment industry leaders showcasing the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, television, and more. New York Comic Con gives attendees access to top entertainment industry talent, panels, and autograph sessions as well as sneak peeks at upcoming television shows and motion pictures. And with dedicated professional hours, New York Comic Con provides an ideal business setting for the major players in the worlds of comics, film, and television. Show hours for the general public are Friday, February 6, 1-7 p.m.; Saturday, February 7, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, February 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ticket sales are now open online and major area comic retailers will stock tickets in the near future. Fan prices are: Weekend, $50; Friday, $30; Saturday, $40; Sunday, $30; Kids Day (Sunday), free for children 12 and under.

The Animex International Festival of Animation & Computer Games takes place every year in Middlesbrough in the North East of England. Animex seeks to educate, entertain and inspire at every level from school children right through to the highest level of professional practitioner. Using a unique blend of talks, presentations, workshops, exhibitions, screenings and awards Animex brings the world of animation and computer games to audiences from any background. In an ethos of collaboration and sharing we aim to make our event one that can be enjoyed by anybody, from anywhere regardless of background and prior knowledge. This year's After Dark is with David Sproxton of Aardman Animations, who will be on stage to be quizzed about his life in the animation industry. Sproxton is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Aardman. Together with co-founder Peter Lord, he has overseen the development of the company from a two-man partnership to one of the most respected animation studios in the industry. Information: info@animex.net or www.animex.net.

A course that will help you make more money, taught by Shelly Palmer. Palmer is offering 15 percent off to Women in Animation members (use code "WIA" when registering). The course is January 29, 2009 at 630 Second Ave in New York City as the January 22 course has already sold out.

Who Should Take This Course:
People of all ages who are interested in learning how to make more money in the digital age. If you are thinking of starting your own business, working from home, becoming a consultant or just defending and keeping your job in this new, highly competitive digital world, you should take this course.

Learn...

Digital Life And Business Skills:
-- Use Social Networks to build your personal brand.
-- Partner and network your way to success.
-- Build a personal business plan.
Software Skills:
-- What applications do you really need to run your personal life and your small business?
-- Create your own websites, blogs, video blogs and podcasts.
-- Harness the power of your digital calendar, email and contact management software.
Hardware Skills:
-- Mac or PC?
-- Blackbery or iPhone?
-- Scanners, printers and more.

You should have a basic knowledge of personal computers, email, web-surfing and search. You should own a laptop computer and bring it with you. Rentals are available, please email upsizing@shellypalmer.com to reserve one.

The fee for the one-day course is $449.95 per person. This fee includes all of the materials you will need for the course. Free WiFi is provided. Groups discounts available. Email upsizing@shellypalmer.com or call 212-532-3880 x1 for discount registration.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Check-in begins at 8:45 a.m.. Lunch is on your own. Dress is informal. Location: 630 Second Avenue (between 34th and 35th Street East side), New York, NY 10016.

The Canada International Film Festival brings the best of world cinema to Canada and plays an important role in maintaining and further enriching its film culture. The Canada International Film Festival has quickly carved out a name for itself among the top film festivals in Canada. It accepts films of any type, in any genre, from over 90 countries around the world. The festival is dedicated to the creation of opportunities for the artistic interaction and exchange among independent filmmakers and the film-going community.

A course that will help you make more money, taught by Shelly Palmer. Palmer is offering 15 percent off to Women in Animation members (use code "WIA" when registering). The course is January 22, 2009 at 630 Second Ave in New York City.

Who Should Take This Course:
People of all ages who are interested in learning how to make more money in the digital age. If you are thinking of starting your own business, working from home, becoming a consultant or just defending and keeping your job in this new, highly competitive digital world, you should take this course.

Learn...

Digital Life And Business Skills:
-- Use Social Networks to build your personal brand.
-- Partner and network your way to success.
-- Build a personal business plan.
Software Skills:
-- What applications do you really need to run your personal life and your small business?
-- Create your own websites, blogs, video blogs and podcasts.
-- Harness the power of your digital calendar, email and contact management software.
Hardware Skills:
-- Mac or PC?
-- Blackbery or iPhone?
-- Scanners, printers and more.

You should have a basic knowledge of personal computers, email, web-surfing and search. You should own a laptop computer and bring it with you. Rentals are available, please email upsizing@shellypalmer.com to reserve one.

The fee for the one-day course is $449.95 per person. This fee includes all of the materials you will need for the course. Free WiFi is provided. Groups discounts available. Email upsizing@shellypalmer.com or call 212-532-3880 x1 for discount registration.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Check-in begins at 8:45 a.m.. Lunch is on your own. Dress is informal. Location: 630 Second Avenue (between 34th and 35th Street East side), New York, NY 10016.

The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention features one of the largest dealer's rooms on the West Coast full of comic books and collectibles. A wide range of stuff is for sale at all price ranges, old and new comic books, toys, action figures, hot wheels, STAR WARS, THE SIMPSONS and FAMILY GUY collectibles, non-sport and sport trading cards, Marvel legends, Japanese animation merchandise and classic action movies on DVD from Hong Kong. Special guests in January include Rhona Mitra, star of UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS and directors Steve Wang and Mike Wang and the stars of the new live action CW4Kids series KAMEN RIDER: DRAGON KNIGHT. The convention will be held at Shrine Hall (700 W. 32nd Street, across from the USC campus) Admission: $8. Information: www.comicbookscifi.com.

IMAX Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of IMAX Corporation Richard L. Gelfond will present at the Citi Global Entertainment, Media & Telecommunications Conference on Tuesday, January 6 at 3:10pm Mountain Time (5:10pm Eastern Standard Time). The conference is being held at The Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. The presentation is being webcast live and can be accessed by visiting the Investor Relations section of the company's website, www.imax.com. The presentation will be archived for thirty days.

Macworld Conference & Expo is a five day celebration that will educate, entertain, and immerse you in the Mac community. With two full halls of exhibitors, Macworld offers access to hundreds of Mac products and services, paired with expert advice, demonstrations and instruction. Macworld conference programs feature industry leading minds, presenting cutting edge product training on the topics you most want to see.