FINAL PREP FOR PUBLIC RADIO CONTENT CONFERENCE

Next week, Monday (8/26) through Thursday (8/29), several hundred public radio programmers and content creators will gather at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center for the annual Public Radio Content Conference (PRCC). Within the industry, this conference is typically called “The PRPD.”

We feel a close affinity with the PRPD. 

When we left commercial radio in the late 980s to manage KCSN in Los Angeles, we found an amazing new and welcoming home with the Public Radio Program Directors association (PRPD). 

We attended more than 20 PRPD’s but we have been at one since September 2014 in Portland.

At the Portland conference we decided to make a lifestyle and career change. 

Because of our increasing serious vision problems and other personal changes we decided to start the blog that became Spark News.  It was our way to continue being a part of radio that we care about, something that matters, something that feed both the heart and the mind.

Things have worked out okay for us but being a journalist/blogger requires taking an oath of poverty. We continue to publish Spark News because we believe in a sustainable future for public radio, its content and its adaptability in the changing media landscape.

We still do consulting work – in fact we wish we had more of it (hint, hint).

Most of all we like the people who work in public radio and we are looking to see old friends and build new associations at this year’s PRPD. To us, PRPD conferences are like rings on a tree – every year things change but the mission remains the same: Better radio, better society, better lives.

ABOUT THE HOTEL & CONFERENCE LOCATION

To learn more about the PRPD and this year’s Public Radio Content Conference, click here.

The Minneapolis Marriott City Center is part of a development called the City Center, a shopping and office building in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.  It was built during the early 1980s during the era of Urban Renewal.

In this case, Urban Renewal worked. Since the City Center and the adjacent hotel (now a Marriott) were built additions have included the Target Center (home of the NBA Timberwolves and Lynx, Target Field (home of the MLB Minnesota Twins), a thriving theater district and of groovy places to eat, drink and socialize.

The City Center is within close walking distance to the legendary First Avenue and The Fine Line Music Cafe (where The Current and Live From Here present a live Microshow on Tuesday night during the conference.) Plus, the City Center is just two blocks away from the famous Gay 90s.

Downtown Minneapolis is usually a safe place to walk but like any big city be aware of your surroundings.

When you arrive at the hotel, the elevators will take you from street level to the 5^th floor. That is where the Lobby is located.

The conference is one floor above the Lobby on the 6^th floor. You can get to the PRPD two ways: Either ride the escalator from the lobby or use the elevator. These elevators are where to access rooms and anything else in the hotel. You can NOT reach street level on these elevators.

The map on the left shows the layout of the sixth floor, where most of the conference activities are being held.

The star on the left denotes the exhibitor space. Registration of the conference is adjacent to the exhibitor’s area. The agenda here.

Down the hallway are the rooms where conference sessions will occur. General sessions and meals happen in Ballroom 1 and 2. Breakout sessions are in Ballroom 3 and 4, plus other rooms scattered across the 6^th floor.

SOME OF THE SESSIONS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST