2015 Mega-Conference Set for Atlanta Feb. 23-25

By: Nu Yang

Now in its sixth year, the Key Executives Mega-Conference will take place in Atlanta Feb. 23-25. Sponsored by the Inland Press Association, Local Media Association, and Southern Newspapers Publishers Association, this year’s program centers on “Content + Commerce + Inspiration + Ideas.”

Program coordinator Carol Hudler explained, “Local publishers must constantly reinvent themselves, finding new and better ways to fulfill their mission and new sources of revenue to fund it. If we boil down ‘what we do’ and ‘how we get paid,’ there are two critical components: producing and delivering content to our target audiences, and earning revenue from our content, distribution and our ability to connect people with ideas and each other. As significant producers of content, we must package and deliver it to people in the ways they want to consume it…We aim to provide publishers a way to learn how to improve what they currently do plus bring forward new ways of approaching content and commerce.”

According to Edward VanHorn, SNPA executive director, more than 700 newspaper industry executives attended the 2014 Mega-Conference in Las Vegas, and he expects that growth to continue this year.

The program is once again packed with informational topics sure to inspire and give ideas to newspaper executives, from managing digital audiences and organizing your sales team to event marketing and video strategies. Speakers include media analyst Ken Doctor, who will open the conference; Jay Lauf, publisher of Quartz; Eric Harris, executive vice president of business operations for BuzzFeed; and Dallas Morning News publisher and CEO Jim Moroney. Closing out the conference will be Ryan Jenkins of Next Generation Catalyst, addressing how to effectively recruit and retain millennials.

“One exciting new component is a special focus on ‘intra-preneurism,’ hearing how companies can infuse innovation into their busy workplace,” said Hudler. “Another new approach is asking our vendors to provide parts of the program. The Quick Bites sessions are 20-minute, vendor-led sessions showcasing how publishers have and can improve their businesses with new approaches and solutions.”

LMA vice president of operations Al Cupo anticipates up to 80 exhibitors in attendance in Atlanta. Among the confirmed so far are Wave2 Media Solutions, Southern Lithoplate and Brainworks Software.

“The large number of R&D partners gives newspapers a chance to see what technologies and other solutions can help them improve their business or enable them to create new revenue sources,” Hulder said. “As internal resources have tightened, we all depend far more now on R&D partners to help us find new ways to save and to grow.”

For more information, including the full conference program and trade show floor plan, visit mega-conference.com.