PLANNING GUIDE: NONCOMMERCIAL MEDIA CONFERENCES

Recently I’ve received messages from commercial radio folks who are interested in working in public radio.  They often ask how to get started. I recommend investigating noncommercial trade associations and their conferences. Today we have a list of 2016 conferences of interest to noncom folks.

Public Radio Engineering Conference (PREC)

APRIL 14-15 • LAS VEGAS

VENUE: Tuscany Suites

More info at [link]

Quick Overview:

Hosted by the Association of Public Radio Engineers, the PREC is held concurrently with the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) and the NAB Convention.

Who Typically Attends:

Public radio station engineers, contract engineers, NPR distribution folks, equipment and software vendors. (I have not attended this conference.)

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16th Annual Triple A NON-COMMvention 
MAY 18-20 • PHILADELPHIA

VENUE: WXPN/World Café Live

More info at [link]

Quick Overview:

Noncom media’s most enjoyable often most informative conference. At the NON-COMM you will hear great live music from breakfast until lights out plus attend panels and workshops that don’t waste your time. This is where the NON-COMM radio and music communities meet each year.

Who Typically Attends: 

Noncommercial station managers, programmers, music directors and hosts, consultants, artists, promoters and music company executives. (I have attended this conference at least six times.)

***HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*** 

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Public Media Business Association (PMBA) Annual Conference

MAY 31 – JUNE 3 • NEW ORLEANS

VENUE: JW Marriott Hotel

More info at [link] 

Quick Overview & Who Typically Attends:

CEOs, general managers, CFOs, executive directors, financial and business executives, HR professionals and supporting organizations such as CPB. The conference focuses on business strategy, sustainability, compliance, accounting, finance, and human resources issues. (I have not attended this conference.)

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NFCB Community Media Conference
JUNE 8-11 • DENVER

VENUE: Embassy Suites at the Denver Downtown Convention Center

More info at [link] 

Quick Overview:

Sally Kane is doing a nice job bringing the National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB) back to life after the organization had a few rough years. She is making NFCB a more practical and less political organization that concentrates on sustainability and mission.

Who Typically Attends:

Managers of NFCB stations, often Pacifica-type community stations, advocates for various causes and, more recently operators of new LPFM stations. Vendors often have a tough time getting business a the NFCB since most stations have seeds & stems budgets and carry very few syndicated programs. (I have attended this conference at least four times.)

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 Public Radio News Directors (PRNDI) Annual Conference

JUNE 21-23 • ST. LOUIS

VENUE: Chase Park Plaza

More info at [link]  

Quick Overview & Who Typically Attends: 

News Directors at NPR News stations, representatives of NPR, APM, PRI, BBC, news software vendors. The conference culminates with the presentation PRNDI's annual awards at a banquet on Saturday, June 25th.  (I have attended this conference at least eight times.)

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 THE CONCLAVE

JULY 13-15 • MINNEAPOLIS

VENUE: Crown Plaza Hotel at MSP International Airport

More info at [link]

Quick Overview & Who Typically Attends:  

The Conclave is a nonprofit organization with a stated educational mission. It was started in the early 1970s by record industry legends Doug Lee, Bill Gavin and Tom Kay. Commercial radio hyper-consolidation in the 1990s hurt station attendance and record labels quit spending promo money on conferences. More recently The Conclave has reemerged as a blow-and-go affair where commercial radio bigwigs give each other rewards and spend time mentoring vocational students looking for their first job. (I have attended this conference at least ten times.)

NOT RECOMMENDED

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Public Media & Development & Marketing Conference (PMDMC)
AUGUST 10-12 • BOSTON

VENUE: Sheraton Boston

More info at [link]

Quick Overview & Who Typically Attends:

Hosted by Greater Public, the PRDMC brings together underwriting, fundraising and marketing folks from public radio, public TV and digital media noncom organizations. It is probably the nation’s largest noncommercial media conference – over 1,250 people attended in 2015. (I have not attended this conference.)

RECOMMENDED

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Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) Momentum Conference

SEPTEMBER 7-10 • LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA

VENUE: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center & Resort

More info at [link]

Quick Overview & Who Typically Attends:

Momentum is where Christian Contemporary Music’s (CCM) best and brightest programmers and consultants meet to improve their already highly successful strategies. Folks from attending stations often serve hundreds of thousands of estimated weekly cumulative listeners – some of the biggest audiences in noncom radio. Guest speakers are often secular pros and the emphasis is on making great radio (and doing the Lord’s work). CCM music industry execs, artists and promoters also attend. (I have not attended this conference.)

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PUBLIC RADIO PROGRAMMING CONFERENCE (PRPD)

SEPTEMBER 20-22 • PHOENIX

VENUE: Hyatt Regency

More info at [link]

Quick Overview:

THIS IS THE ESSENTIAL PUBLIC RADIO CONFERENCE. The PRPD is where public radio programming is designed, evaluated, marketed and promoted. It was founded and built for radio and digital media creators. Conference sessions are packed with the latest research, trends, news and networking.

Who Typically Attends:

Program directors, content managers, consultants, representatives of NPR, APM, PRI and PRX, though there have been comments in recent years that some “deciders” are staying home. There are plenty of vendors and occasionally commercial radio folks with something to sell. The mood is collegial, professional and urgent. (I have attended this conference at least twenty times.)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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36th Annual CMJ Music Marathon 
OCTOBER 13-17 • NEW YORK CITY

VENUES: Multiple Hotels and Clubs

More info at [link]

Quick Overview & Who Typically Attends:
 
The 36th Annual CMJ Music Marathon in New York City presents college radio-oriented sessions and workshops along with extensive new music showcases in New York City October 13-17. Over 1,400 shows are planned throughout NYC. A friend of mine in the music business said this is conference to attend if you want to get laid. (I have not attended this conference.)

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National Student Electronic Media Convention

OCTOBER 20-22 • PHILADELPHIA

VENUE: Sonesta Hotel

More info at [link}

Quick Overview & Who Typically Attends:

 

This is by far the best college media conference in the nation.  It is planned and hosted by College Broadcasters, Incorporated (CBI). The sessions are consequential and even sometimes gutsy. The emphasis is on doing radio and audio media. Look for college students – lots of students – who are eager to learn and network. (I have not attended this conference but I want to.)

RECOMMENDED