2021 IPBS Virtual Conference

The first IPBS Fall Conference was held in 2018 in Evansville and has quickly become an important professional development experience for member stations and their staff.  In 2019, the conference was held in Fort Wayne. Then, in 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the conference went virtual. The 2021 conference will again be virtual and is scheduled for November 8-19 under the theme, Adapting to New Norms.

Since the conference’s inception, a steering committee comprised of member station staff has been responsible for planning sessions and securing presenters.  They have worked diligently to bring content, experts, trends, and ideas that are in step with our ever-evolving industry.  The steering committee has also focused on making the virtual conference a platform for colleagues across the state to form relationships with one another through educational sessions, panel discussions, idea exchanges, and meet-ups that encourage interaction. Special thanks to our 2021 steering committee: Carlin Beckman (WNIN), Cathy Edwards (PBS Fort Wayne), Gail Thomas Strong (WFYI), Greg Petrowich (WFYI), Laura Baich (WFIU/WTIU), Lori Georgi (Ball State PBS/IPR), Rob Anderson (WTIU/WFIU), Tim Black (WNIN), Tom Maloney (Lakeshore Public Radio), and Tony Krabill (WVPE).

New for this year’s conference are meet-ups organized by job responsibility.  Meet-ups offer an opportunity for employees to connect with colleagues from other stations who have the same or similar job responsibilities for an open discussion on topics of their choice.  Meet-up sessions will be facilitated by a member of the steering committee.

Register now for the sessions you wish to attend!  A confirmation email from GoToWebinar will be sent to your inbox with a link to each session you sign up for.  There is no limit on the number of attendees permitted to attend any session.  Each session will be approximately 60-75 minutes long. 

Please keep checking this webpage for details about new sessions that will be added to the program over the coming weeks.

2021 Conference Program

What’s Goin’ On? How Innovation, Technology, and Disruption Will Change Public Media in a Post-Pandemic World

Meet-up

Meet-up

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

9:30 a.m. (ET)

Community Engagement Interest

In each station, our work looks different, our portfolios vary, and job titles, too – but we know that community interaction makes a difference. Plan to attend this meet-up and discover community engagement and outreach colleagues around the state to deepen your resource pool. Bring your best insight along with you!

Facilitator:  Michelle Kinsey, Community Engagement Manager, Ball State PBS & IPR

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

11:00 a.m. (ET)

Community Engagement Interest

Fueling Your Journalism with Community Engagement

Community engagement is a buzzy term in journalism, but what does it actually mean when it comes to news? And how can newsrooms implement it with limited resources? Presenters from WFYI, Indiana Public Broadcasting, and Side Effects Public Media join forces with America Amplified to share how their teams use community engagement to build trust, create stories, and more.

Presenter: Brittani Howell, Community Engagement Specialist, Side Effects Public Media

Presenter: Tasha Gibson, Community Engagement Specialist, Side Effects Public Media

Presenter: Robin Tate Rockel, Community Engagement Specialist, Indiana Public Broadcasting

Facilitator: Alisa Barba, America Amplified Managing Director

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

3:30 p.m. (ET)

General Interest

Our Digital Future & What Comes Next

We all have our hunches about how audience uses the internet. Replace your “gut” feeling with the facts. Featuring Jeffrey Cole, founder and director of the Center for the Digital Future, this session will look at how the pandemic has shaped digital usage and what it means for public media. Jeffrey will present insights from the longest-running study of the views and behaviors of internet users and non-users in the U.S. His session will also answer questions about where you should focus your time and effort in the digital space.

For more than 20 years, the Center for the Digital Future at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism (digitalcenter.org) has explored the impact of digital technologies on the behavior and views of users and non-users. The center also studies disruption in the lives of Americans and the corporate world.

Presenter:  Jeffrey Cole, Founder & Director, Center for the Digital Future

Facilitator: Greg Petrowich, President/CEO, WFYI

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

11:00 a.m. (ET)

Finance Interest

Relief $: Maximizing A Unique Opportunity

Over the past year-and-a-half, we have all seen the impact of COVID on local revenue declines at our stations. At the same time, state and federal financial relief programs abound. Learn which programs your station is eligible for, the criteria that must be met to qualify, and key deadlines. The available options present a unique opportunity for stations to be awarded significant resources that provide security and are not likely to be available again. Learn where to find these dollars and how to make them work for you to move your station forward toward long-term growth and sustainability.

Speakers: TBA

Facilitator:  Carlin Beckman, V. P. of Finance & Administration, WNIN

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

1:30 p.m. (ET)

Corporate Development Interest

Keeping The Funnel Full

Whether you offer radio, television, digital, or all these types of sponsorship opportunities, building revenue for your station is what you’re charged with doing every day. Where do you prospect? How do you prospect? When do you prospect? What is your process? How to develop new business is key to all of us in revenue generation. Pick up insights, and new tips and tricks for prospecting (keeping the funnel full) with this discussion about the one thing that challenges us all but makes your manager happy when you do it — prospecting.

Presenter:  Dan Whitford, Corporate Development Account Executive, WTTW / WFMT Chicago, IL

Presenter:  Brian Flath, Associate Director of Corporate Support, WSIU Public Broadcasting Carbondale, IL

Facilitator:  Cathy Edwards, Corporate Development Director, PBS Fort Wayne

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

3:30 pm (ET)

Membership/Development Interest

On-Air Fundraising in a Brave New World

On-air fundraising is a different animal these days. It’s no longer about simply encouraging a viewer to support your station’s mission during a sturdy pledge program…on a specific night…at a specific time. And, saying “thank you” has grown beyond providing a simple CD or DVD multi-set. In this session, PBS VP of Fundraising Programming, Jerry Liwanag, will take you behind the scenes with data on current fundraising trends and how PBS…and YOUR stations…can survive a brave, new world.  

Speaker:  Jerry Liwanag, VP Fundraising Programming, PBS

Facilitator:  Tim Black, President & CEO, WNIN

Meet-up

Thursday, November 11, 2021

9:30 a.m. (ET)

IPBS and Public Media Newcomers Interest

Wondering what IPBS is and what it does? Barbara Duke Sams, who worked at WFYI for 15 years in Corporate Development and is currently IPBS Marketing Manager will share a quick overview of IPBS and what the organization means to you as a public media station employee. This session is geared to newcomers and will be an opportunity to ask questions and get to know other newcomers to public media in Indiana.

Facilitator:  Barbara Duke Sams, Marketing Manager, IPBS

Thursday, November 11, 2021

11:00 a.m. (ET)

Membership/Development Interest

How Membership Affinity Clubs Can Help Grow Your Membership

Has your station ever considered creating a club to engage your members and viewers? Are you leveraging memberships based on particular programming or genre – Masterpiece Mystery, anyone? Taylor Leonard from WFYI will share her station’s experience with their British Telly, Nerds, and Family Clubs to kick off a group discussion.  Do you have a success story to share?  A failed attempt that we can all learn from?  Do you want to bounce your ideas off your colleagues? Then join us for this session.

Speaker: Taylor Leonard, Events & Engagement Manager, WFYI

Facilitator:  Lori Georgi, Director of Content, Ball State PBS/IPR

Thursday, November 11, 2021

1:30 p.m. (ET)

HR/Professional Development Interest

Public Media Education & Professional Development Opportunities Within the System

Whether you are new to public media or have been here a while, opportunities abound for you to learn new skills, receive continuing education, and increase professional development. With COVID and technology, many more virtual opportunities are now available at low or no cost to stations. Learn about the opportunities available through various organizations – NETA, PMBA, CPB, PMWL, and more. From one-hour webinars to multi-session classes and courses, self-paced or instructor-led, and in-person training or conferences, you will learn how you can chart your course in public media, expanding your knowledge to move forward.

Presenter:  Carlin Beckman, V. P. of Finance & Administration, WNIN

Presenter: TBD

Facilitator:  Carlin Beckman, V. P. of Finance & Administration, WNIN

Meet-up

Monday, November 15, 2021

1:30 p.m. (ET)

Radio Programming/Operations Interest

Meet radio programming, on-air, and operations staff from other IPBS stations. This will be an open discussion on topics you and your radio colleagues decide deserve attention. Get to know names and faces at other stations you can reach out to post-conference. You will come away with contacts at other stations you can talk to about ideas regarding the challenges, solutions, and opportunities related to radio operations.

Facilitator:  Tony Krabill, Operations Manager, WVPE

Facilitator:  Tom Maloney, VP of Radio Operations, Lakeshore Public Media

Meet-up

Monday, November 15, 2021

3:30 p.m. (ET)

Engineering Interest

Collaboration between stations can provide a potentially efficient use of time and resources. This is especially true when it comes to station equipment, technology updates, staffing requirements, and network upgrades. Join this open discussion about topics relevant to engineering challenges and opportunities. 

Facilitator:  Steve Jensen, V.P. of Broadcast Operations, WFYI

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

11:00 a.m. (ET)

Membership/Engagement Interest

Skill Based Volunteers: Utilizing Volunteers to Meet your Needs

What do you know about your volunteers? Have they helped with the same tasks over and over again? Do you have projects that you always want to get to and just never seem to have the time? Maybe you need a particular skill to accomplish something on your to-do list. While all volunteers bring a skill set, many volunteers bring specialized skills through their experience or credentials. Attend this session to learn how to think strategically and implement skill-based volunteering within your organization.

Speaker: Lauren Makin, Volunteer Manager, WFYI

Facilitator: Gail Thomas Strong, VP Community Engagement, WFYI

Meet-up

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

1:30 p.m. (ET)

TV Programming and Traffic Interest

This is a meet-up opportunity for TV programming and traffic department staff to informally get to know colleagues from fellow IPBS stations, talk about ProTrack and job responsibilities.  It’s an open forum so bring your ideas, solutions and concerns to the table.

Facilitator:  Brent Molnar, Operations & Content Manager, WTIU

Facilitator:  Laura Grannan, Traffic Coordinator, WTIU

Meet-up

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

3:30 p.m. (ET)

TV and Video Production Interest

Meet and get to know TV and video production colleagues from fellow IPBS stations. Join in a Q&A to learn what resources other IPBS TV stations have available to them and the kinds of equipment they own and operate. Better understand station strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and goals across the state. Come away with names, contacts, a stronger understanding of who’s who, and how colleagues from other IPBS TV stations may help you and your local TV projects. 

Facilitator:  Rob Anderson, Assistant GM, Production & Content, WTIU

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

11:00 a.m. (ET)

General Interest (TV)

Pandemic Affects on PBS & Future PBS Sizzle

Learn how PBS got to “now”; through the pandemic, the ups, and downs, what was learned and where we are going as a system.  This conversation will share information about meeting the viewers where they are through various distribution options and opportunities. The session will wrap up with a little sizzle for 2022. All television staff members will benefit from this presentation. Learn more about the future of PBS as a system, its offerings to stations, and how that translates to viewers.

Speaker:  Jim Dunford, VP Station Services for PBS

Facilitator: Cathy Edwards, Corporate Development Director, PBS Fort Wayne

Wednesday, November 17, 2021 

1:30 p.m. (ET)

Corporate Development Interest

Cultivating Clients to the Next Level

If you’ve ever had a business sponsor that you know could be “more” to your station.  Or, if you believe you have only scratched the surface of what a sponsorship could mean for your station or for the sponsor, then this is the session to sit in on.  If you want the second sponsorship agreement to be more than the first one, then this is the session to prioritize on your calendar.  We’ve all had these kinds of prospects and clients.  Learn tips to become the trusted advisor to your clients and grow revenue for your station.

Presenter:  Adam Gronski, VP Corporate Marketing WETA, National Sales Director PBS 

Presenter:  Robert Ashe, Manager Corporate Sponsorship, CET & ThinkTV

Facilitator:  Cathy Edwards, Corporate Development Director, PBS Fort Wayne

Meet-up

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

3:30 p.m.

Development, Membership, and Grants Interest

When you’re in public media, fundraising is essential, and the bulk of the responsibility is placed on development departments.  Sure, it can be stressful, but also quite rewarding.  Let’s explore the FUN in FUNdraising as we exchange ideas and get to know one another.  Here’s your chance to learn how your counterparts throughout the state are raising money. We’re calling on people who write grants, engage donors, and produce pledge drives.  If you’re in development, this session is for you. Bring your concerns, solutions, and your colleagues to this informal discussion.  

Facilitator:  Pam Elliot, On-Air Development Manager, WFYI

Facilitator: Margaret Reeder, Membership and Individual Giving Manager, Ball State PBS and IPR

Meet-up

Thursday, November 18, 2021

9:30 a.m. (ET)

Finance/HR/Administration Interest

Join us for an interactive session and meet your Finance and HR colleagues from other Indiana stations. Whether you’re new to public media or have been with your station for many years this is a great opportunity to meet each other, learn about some of the challenges we all face, and come away with new ideas for your station that work for others.  This session will be a group discussion format and will include several possible discussion topics to get us started.  All attendees can expect to participate and have a voice at the table. 

Facilitator: Carlin Beckman, V. P. of Finance & Administration, WNIN

Thursday, November 18, 2021

11:00 a.m. (ET)

TV/Video Production Interest

Is Production Helping Your TV Station Be Locally Relevant?

Join local television production heads to better understand how IPBS TV stations are achieving relevance through local TV and video production. Panelists will address questions like, what locally produced content and practices they are using, what production challenges they are facing when it comes to being locally relevant, where opportunities exist for growth in local relevance/expansion/improvement, how their stations approach digital-only, and how they approach broadcast vs web vs social vs live stream vs in-person.

Panelist:  Paul Wasowski, Executive Producer/Production Manager, PBS Michiana/WNIT

Panelist: Todd Grimes, Operations Manager, PBS Fort Wayne

Panelist: Ron Prickel, Senior Producer/Director & Managing Producer, WTIU

Dottie Kreps, Producer/Director, Ball State PBS

Facilitator/Moderator:  Rob Anderson, Asst. GM, Content & Production — IU Radio/Television Services, WFIU/WTIU

Thursday, November 18, 2021

1:30 p.m. (ET)

Radio Programming Interest

Lessons from 45 Years in Radio Programming

Peter Dominowski, WBOI General Manager, shares the most important programming concepts, principles, and secrets he’s learned during his 45-year career as an award-winning Program Director, co-founder of PRPD, and in conducting more than 500 research studies with public radio listeners.

Presenter:  Peter Dominowski, GM, Northeast Public Radio

Facilitator:  Tom Maloney, VP of Radio Operations, Lakeshore Public Radio

Thursday, November 18, 2021

3:30 p.m. (ET)

Development Interest

Getting the Grant…and Keeping It!

Grants are a critical source of fundraising.  But, how do you win those dollars and how do you keep them?  In this session, our panelists will focus on three key areas of information and discussion:  Finding the grant opportunity; successfully applying for it; and, keeping the dollars.  You will also get to ask questions of our panelists and of each other.   

Presenter:  Meegan White, Project Director, APTS

Presenter:  Ann Ennis, Contract Grant Writer

Facilitator:  Tim Black, President & CEO, WNIN

Last Updated: Nov. 30, 2021 07:32 p.m.

Video Links to 2020 Conference Sessions