Nominations for the Daytime Emmys children categories will help kick off this year’s KidScreen Summit, when the eighth annual kids entertainment conference meets this month at the Sheridan New York Hotel & Towers in NYC Feb. 7-9.

The new Broadband Emmy for Children’s Programming will be presented with other noms on the first evening of the three-day summit, which is produced by KidScreen Magazine, a sister publication of Playback. Donna MacNeil, KidScreen VP and group publisher, says the summit is a natural partner for the nomination ceremony, as each share a commitment to improving children’s television programming.

‘This year we’re showing clips of nominated programming, allowing partners and colleagues from around the world to join in the congratulations, and having some cocktails!,’ says MacNeil. The announcement will be made by Johnny and the Sprites, stars of the Disney Channel’s new and much talked-about live-action puppet series for preschoolers.

In addition, the Shaw Rocket Fund will announce its 2007 Rocket Prize finalists at an invite-only reception on Feb. 8.

This year’s summit has been expanded from two to three days and attendance is expected to reach 1,400, a 30% increase from 2006.

‘The extra day affords delegates the opportunity to do meetings and still be able to take in their preferred top-level conference sessions without feeling rushed,’ MacNeil says.

Whereas the focus last year was on the digital revolution, this year’s 120 speakers will address varying themes of children’s entertainment, such as licensing and consumer products, programming and marketing.

Canada makes its presence felt at the summit this year. Phil Piazza, Corus Entertainment’s VP of programming for children’s television and business development; Kim Wilson, CBC’s children’s and youth programming creative head; and Teletoon’s VP of programming Carole Bonneau will each host a ’30 Minutes With’ session, during which execs speak directly with up to 35 pre-registered delegates about trends at their respective channels.

Other sessions include a Q&A with top execs in the Leaders Forum, moderated by Nelvana Enterprises president Doug Murphy, and a panel on do-it-yourself youth culture, led by Max Valiquette and Mike Farrell of Toronto’s Youthography.

www.kidscreensummit.com/2007