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Ten Truth Bombs From #Conclave42
August 1, 2017
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Inspirational, informative, and interesting are among the sentiments that apply to Conclave 42; radio's storied Midwest Learning Conference that played out in Minneapolis last week.
It's not easy to capture the spirit of what it's like to truly be at Conclave - so I'll do my best to pull you into an event filled with great names, voices and thoughts in a way that only "Merge" could do it - using the socially savvy attendees who (unknowingly) became my "citizen journalists" to tell you a bit of the story.
It all started with the highly entertaining keynote event, "Ask Me 'Almost' Anything."
This is where key leaders in our industry from various positions talk about the fundamental changes within radio and the positive momentum.
(L to R; Hubbard Media SVP/Programming, Greg Strassell; Cox Media President/Radio, Bill Hendrich; Cumulus Chicago VP/MM, Peter Bowen; iHeart Media President Southwest Region, Kevin LeGrett and President/Publisher AllAccess.com, Joel Denver)All Access' N/T/S & Podcasting Editor Perry Simon did a great job of covering the "Ask Me 'Almost' Anything Keynote" plus the Thursday sessions and Friday's Conclave 42 coverage of the Rockwell Award presentation to John Gehron, and more.
And, thanks to Media consultant, Holland Cooke, who did an fine job capturing the moving (and as many called it "mind-blowing") keynote panel in his blog.
So did those tweeting from #Conclave42 - like KTI/Milwaukee on-air talent, Jill Ene, sharing this line from iHeart Media President/Southwest Region, Kevin LeGrett:
And our industry thought leaders continued dropping knowledge all day long:
The legendary Tom Barnard of KQRS/Minneapolis had the room cheering when he said, "Big egos bother me. You're not a celebrity of any kind." Tom also reminded us of something we may not always remember:
Hubbard Media SVP/Programming, Greg Strassell, introduced AccuRadio COO/Chairman, John Gehron, as this year's recipient of the Rockwell Lifetime Achievement award.
And as Fred Jacobs, a former Rockwell winner, recapped in the Jacobs Media blog, "John communicatedan important lesson about guidance and mentorship for young people trying to break into radio or get ahead. For those of us in positions of responsibility, the importance of taking the time to provide some direction, and a few kind words."
Each year, The Conclave and BMI will award a scholarship to a broadcast student.
This year, Ball State University student, Michael Dorsey, was the recipient of a 5K scholarship. The Conclave flew in last year's scholarship recipient, Mikaela Mummert, to talk about her past year. She has gone from student to working for Cumulus Media.
(L to R; VP/Industry Relations, Dan Spears; VP/Social Media Cumulus Media/Westwood and Conclave Chairperson, Lori Lewis; Ball State University student, Michael Dorsey and 2016 BMI scholarship recipient, Mikaela Mummert)The 3rd annual "Speed Mentoring Breakfast" was once again a huge hit.
This is where some of radio's decision makers offer rare access - giving invaluable career building advice.
Among the mentors that gave their time: WTMX/Chicago, Mary Ellen Kachinske:
CBS Radio VP/Urban Programming, Reggie Rouse:
And VP/Operations Cumulus Media Chicago, Troy Hanson:
Captured socially - this is a small fraction of the takeaways and camaraderie experienced.
It's important for our industry to hold this event. It's equally important for the industry to support it.
We get to talk with each other, learn and grow as a business. Many times you find it's the smallest things that resonate with you to take away and apply to your brand(s) and reputation (and maybe even yourself) to refine and reset.
There's nothing better than reconnecting with the friends who have cared along the way.
Or finally meeting those you've admired from afar:
I posted a few more photos here on Facebook if you'd like to look there.
As Hubbard Media SVP/Programming, Greg Strassell, said:
"You get out of radio what you put into it."
Hope to see you next year at #Conclave43!
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