PRIMA Conference
2011 Agenda
(Sessions and participants may change)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5
3:50 pm - Opening remarks, conference information, etc.
4:00 to 5:30 pm - How is radio REALLY faring?
Tom Thomas, SRG Co-Chief Officer
Think of it as a radio report card. What are we doing well? Where do we need help? SRG Co-Chief Officer Tom Thomas provides a report card based on the latest data from the new series of GROW THE AUDIENCE reports. How can stations benefit from this data?
6:00 pm - Reception at the Cincinnati Zoo! Courtesy of our hosts, Cincinnati Public Radio!
Gather in the lobby at 5:30
This is the ultimate PRIMAte experience! The event will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., beginning with drinks at the zoo’s newest exhibit, Night Stalkers, and then moving to their Safari Lodge for more drinks and food. At the lodge we'll be visited by zoo staff and animals. Night Stalkers and Safari Lodge are in close proximity. Two-legged PRIMAtes will be transported to the Zoo from the Hilton by motorcoach (basically a 15-20 minute ride.)
9:00 pm: The PRIMA Suite opens for wine, beer, and conversation
This is a traditional part of the PRIMA conference. It’s therapy for the beleaguered public radio manager, and a great place to catch up on gossip and related information. Most PRIMA managers swear that this is where they learned to manage radio.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
7:30 to 8:50 am - Breakfast with your Legislator!
Mike Riksen, NPR Vice President, Government Relations
What & How: Constructing Public Media Advocacy: While lobbyists are a dime a dozen in Washington, public radio has deployed an advocacy framework that draws on the unique nature of its local roots and local mission. NPR’s Policy & Representation VP, Mike Riksen, has been working with stations to build local advocacy capacity to address our challenging funding threats and promote our local service. He’ll provide an update on actions to ensure that our stations are well positioned in the coming years.
9:00 to 9:40 am - NPR: Local/Regional News Collaborations
Joyce MacDonald, NPR Vice President, Member and Program Services
Joel Sucherman, NPR Project Director, ARGO
Local journalism is the constant buzzword! NPR created some buzz of its own this year with the launch of StateImpact (aka Impact of Government). Project ARGO continues to gain momentum. What’s the status of these projects? What are we learning from these collaborations? Managers who are ARGO or StateImpact participants can share their experiences with the group.
9:40-10:20 am - NPR: Communications Update
Dana Rehm, NPR Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications, and External Relations
NPR is elevating its marketing and communications game, to better align with its position as a national leader in news. What specific plans are in place, and how can Member stations benefit and/or get involved?
10:30 to 11:45 am - CPB: Funding on a shoe-string and beyond.
Bruce Theriault, CPB Senior Vice President for Radio
Tim Isgitt, Senior Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs
CPB’s Senior Vice President of Radio, Bruce Theriault will talk about CPB’s FY’12 strategies, priorities, and investments. He’ll also provide an update on the federal appropriation and the challenging environment for public media going forward. Tim Isgitt, Senior Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs, will join Bruce for the federal funding discussion.
12:00 to 1:40 pm - Lunch and Business
The PRIMA Business meeting will take place during lunch. We will be joined by Kit Jensen and Greg Petrowich, two NPR Board members and PRIMAtes. And…we will honor Jon Schwartz and other surprise retires TBA.
1:40 to 2:20 pm - Dessert with Industry Gurus!
Doug Eichten, President, DEI
Craig Beeby, Executive Director, University Station Alliance
Doug and Craig each lead organizations that provide intensive support services to public radio. Doug is the master of fundraising; Craig can tell you how to make nice with your university president. Each updates on new information from his respective area.
2:30 to 3:45 pm - Ask the Attorneys!
Meg Miller, Attorney, Dow Lohnes
Ernie Sanchez, Attorney, Sanchez Law Firm
You can ask anything of Meg Miller of Dow Lohnes and Ernie Sanchez of the Sanchez Law Firm. Bring all your legal triumphs and headaches. The advice is free!
4:00 to 6:00 pm - Change!! I've Got To Change??
Lisa Haneberg, Management Performance International
It's a painful reality. We're living through an era of change happening faster than ever before, yet few of us know how to deal with it effectively. PRIMA recruited one of the best experts on managing change (and living to tell about it). We went outside our own system to bring in fresh perspective. Organization guru Lisa Haneberg of Management Performance International provides insight and strategy from the expert’s perspective.
6:15 pm - Dinner on your own.
A list of exciting places to visit for dinner will be provided.
9:00 pm - The PRIMA Suite opens for wine, beer, and conversation.
On the second night of a PRIMA conference, things get just a little – well – different…
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8
7:30 to 8:40 am - Breakfast with Coho Creative!
Does your station have access to a professional marketing team? Enjoy breakfast while representatives from Coho Creative, a design innovation company, as they show how to illustrate the public radio listener. You’ll see how listener date provides a foundation for describing listeners in local terms with which underwriters can identify.
8:45 to 10:25 am - Future Technology: Two sides of the same coin.
Mike Starling, Executive Director, Technology Research Center and NPR Labs
Kinsey Wilson, NPR Vice President and GM of Digital Media
Mike updates on ground-breaking innovations at the Public Radio Satellite System and NPR Labs; Kinsey updates on the NPR Digital initiative, and where we’re heading in new media.
10:30 to 11:40 am - NPR: From the CEO’s Perspective
Joyce Slocum, Interim NPR CEO
What’s the view from the top? Joyce Slocum brings a unique perspective to NPR’s structure and governance, and talks about NPR plans and strategies.
11:45 am - Lunch and wrap up.
12:00 pm - It’s over! Have a safe trip home. See you next time!