I intentionally capitalized the word “learning” in the title of today’s post. After returning from Conclave 37 in Minneapolis last week, it reinforced the unique value of this event, as well as the need for greater participation from more people from different sectors of the broadcasting business.
Unlike just about every other conference (and we love and attend many of them), the Conclave is different. It’s not just the Midwest vibe – it’s the commitment to teaching, learning, and growing that sets it apart from other events.
That was reinforced at our Summer School sessions that kicked off Conclave at 9 am on Wednesday. Paul and I arrived an hour early to the ballroom to set up, and the first person we saw was a young lady waiting for the conference to begin. Jennifer Varan, a recent graduate of Albright College near Reading, PA, drove 20 hours with her parents to get there in time for the opening of Conclave.
Talking to Jennifer sent me the message that there are young people with a deep desire to get into the radio business, and they come to conferences like this to learn, hang out with radio people, and network. (You can check out her goals, her resume, her passion for radio, and other stuff at a cool website she’s built – www.famousjensterr.com)
Coleman Insights’ Warren Kurtzman and the Conclave board and committees put together a great agenda with strong speakers, great sessions, as well as Kurt Hanson’s RAIN on Friday afternoon. With Tom Kay, the always buttoned-up Jay Philpott, the Conclave staff, and volunteers, this conference was as smooth as we’ve seen since I’ve been participating – and that goes back a few years.
Tomorrow, I’ll pull together the story of this year’s Summer School sessions – via Twitter – that will speak volumes about the vibe and energy at this event. Below is a picture of the packed ballroom for our Summer School “curriculum,” featuring Arbitron’s Jenny Tsao, Coleman Insights’ Chris Ackerman, all-star music marketer Mike Brandvold, and the Minnesota Twins’ Chris Iles. In addition, Paul Jacobs and Lori Lewis presented as well. (Thanks to Brown College’s Mike Kronforst for the photo.)
Thanks to all for a great time and a fabulous event where veterans meet rookies – and it was good.
The Conclave is the most unique of radio get-togethers, serving a very important need – the education and nurturing of talent. While 93% of Americans may listen to the radio every week, a shrinking number of young people want to make it their career. The industry – from the biggest companies to the RAB to the NAB to state broadcaster associations to ma & pa stations – should do everything it can to encourage high school and college kids to pursue radio, and in the process, help us grow the business.
These days, making conventions work is more challenging than ever. Even companies that still allow their employees to attend conferences often stipulate they can only choose one. In the case of the Conclave – 37 years-old and going strong – broadcasters should see the special value it provides.
Oh, and Jennifer Varan, that student who I mentioned earlier? She won the dmr/IBS/Doug Lee Memorial scholarship at the awards lunch and is well on her way. I should have known.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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The Conclave continues to re-invent itself each year and after attending this last one, a couple of things trouble me. Why aren’t there more small and medium market programmers there? And those that are there, why are they paying for attending out of their own pocket? What ever happened to the idea of professional development. I know of two small Minnesota clusters that paid for 5 people each to attend the Conclave. Where were the rest? For the Conclave to continue, attendance must grow. Budget now to send people next year. I can just about guarantee they’ll come back with ideas that will either save money or make money. This year’s agenda was trimmed back just a bit, but I still had trouble deciding which concurrent session to attend.
Mike, points all well taken. I was similarly torn between two sessions, sometimes hopping back and forth from meeting room to meeting room. There is tremendous value in most of these sessions, and I saw a great deal of note-taking across the three days of panels and sessions. If radio and media were static, perhaps you could make the case that we in fact know it all. But there’s never been a great time to be curious about where it’s all heading, and Conclave was well-designed to help attendees sort it all out. While many ‘clavers pay their own way, companies within driving range of Minneapolis need to make it a point to send their key players. It’s a great investment in the future. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Fred / Lori / Paul –
Summer School was another huge hit for the Conclave attendees. Congrats again, nothing but glowing reviews.
Mike – I took notes in many of the sessions – if there’s one you missed I’d be happy to share! Also, thanks for taking so many pictures!
Enjoy today,
J. Pat
J. Pat, thanks for being there from beginning to end. We truly enjoyed putting on SS3 last week – great attendance, the Conclave had the details taken care of, and we were able to do get things started on a good note. Also appreciative MIke took the pictures. Tim Davis put togethe a nice montage on our site: https://jacobsmedia.com/articles/summerschool3.asp
Thanks for commenting.
One of the telling signs of an industry in trouble is the lack of interest by young career seekers. Radio is clearly an industry in distress with a recent reputation for not being compassionate and nurturing towards its work force. Tough to find compelling reasons to seek a radio career.
Yet another compelling reason why we should do everything we can as an industry to encourage, nurture, and grow talent. I have no idea what kind of contribution Jen Vara might ultiimately make to radio but I do know that I have seldom seen that much passion about radio from someone under 25. Thanks for the comment, Ric.
Bravo, Fred, for your highlight of Jen and importance of the passionate young people looking to learn and contribute to our industry. We’re thrilled to fund these Conclave Scholarships because we share your sentiments about the importance of engaging the next generation. We chose the Conclave for the very reasons you highlight – the growing, learning, and teaching that occurs each summer in Minneapolis with folks like you (congratulations on the Rockwell Award), Tom Kay and his staff and the hundreds of our radio brothers and sisters.
Thanks, Tripp, for the comment and your company’s continued support of the Conclave and the education of fledgling braodcasters like Jen. Much appreciated.
Great recap, and I agree completely. This was my third consecutive Conclave, and the agenda was top-notch. I took more notes in SS3 than I did in all other sessios combined, however. The fast-moving approach to sharing new information was truly exciting, and a great way to kick off three days of learning and networking.
Great job!
Rico, thanks so much. Summer School is the first thing in the morning, first thing at Conclave, so it’s designed for us ADD-types in mind. Glad you enjoyed it. See you next year.