Industry News

Powerful Agenda Set for TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national event is only one month away. Set for June 7 at Hofstra University, just outside of New York City on Long Island, TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond is fast on its way to being another advance sellout. Don’t be shut out. The power-packed, one-day agenda is spectacular! Check it out – along with registration, sponsorship and hotel information – by clicking here. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Because the entire agenda of this year’s event will take place on the state-of-the-art television soundstage ‘A’ at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and a special staging area for individual interviews will be set up on the adjacent TV soundstage ‘B,’ the opportunity to create an in-depth video time capsule of this remarkably transitional moment in talk media history will be unprecedented.” Harrison adds, “The number of heavyweight players from all ends of the business gathered in one place for one day on a television soundstage will be of tremendous historical significance. We will grab the opportunity to save everything we can for posterity. This conference will be more than just another industry ‘convention.’ It will be a ‘symposium’ for the ages reflecting and preserving a remarkably colorful and historic era in American media and culture. People all over the world and for years to come will bear witness to this ‘happening.’” This power-packed, one-day event will again be presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and the school’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. To register for TALKERS 2024 or to obtain sponsorship information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413. 

Industry News

TALKERS 2023 Agenda Update

The agenda for TALKERS 2023 is now posted subject to daily updates. Please check it regularly. The 26th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important conference takes place on Friday, June 2, 2023 on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio. TALKERS 2023 will boldly address key issues – some existential – facing the talk radio and talk media industries at this dramatically critical juncture of rapidly accelerating technological and societal change, as well as identifying the remarkable opportunities inherent in these developments. It will also provide participants with unique and powerful networking opportunities. See the latest complete agenda here. The all-inclusive registration fee covering convention events, exhibits, food, and services for the day is $379. Attendance is only open to the working media and associated industries as well as students attending accredited learning institutions. Due to space limitations and the commitment to maintaining an intimate environment, the conference is again expected to be an early sellout. Don’t be shut out!  See convention registration and hotel information here.

Features

TALKERS 2023 Agenda Update

TALKERS 2023

June 2, 2023 – Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Presented by TALKERS in association with WRHU Radio

 Sponsored by (in alphabetical order):

The Doctor Asa Show – Backbone Networks – Benztown – The Michael Berry Show – Broadcasters General Store – C. Crane – Collette – Comrex – The Epoch Times –- Goldman McCormick PR – Guestbooker.com – The Sean Hannity Show – Newsmax – Our American Stories – Premiere Networks – Radio America – The Ramsey Show – Dr. Murray Sabrin – Stephan Multimedia – The Todd Starnes Show – Talk Media Network – Visit Atlantic City

 

AGENDA

Registration Desk Open – 7:30 am to 6:00 pm – Lobby of John Cranford Adams Playhouse

Registration Director: Barbara Kurland, Business Manager, TALKERS

Assistant Registration Director: Olivia Mannarino, Associate, TALKERS

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Breakfast – 8:00 am to 8:55 am – Reception Tent next to John Cranford Adams Playhouse

Breakfast Emcee: David Bernstein, GM/Broadcast Operations, TALKERS

“Woman of the Year Award”

Recipient: Martha Zoller, Host WDUN-FM-AM, Gainesville, GA

“Lifetime Achievement Award”

Recipient: Kraig Kitchin, CEO, Sound Mind, LLC

Sponsored by Sean Hannity / Premiere Networks

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Exhibits Open – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – Lobby of John Cranford Adams Playhouse

Backbone Networks – Representative: Richard Cerny, President/CEO

Broadcasters General Store – Representative: Buck Waters, Marketing Executive

Collette – Representatives: Jim Edwards, VP, US Affinity Development; Paul Holly, Partnership Marketing Manager

Comrex – Representative:  Chris Crump, CBNE, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing

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Morning Greetings – 9:00 am to 9:45 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

TALKERS 2023 Emcee: Kevin Casey, VP, Executive Editor, TALKERS

“National Anthem”

Performed by: TBA

“Morning Wakeup”

Speaker: Jimmy Failla, Host, FOX News Radio

“Setting the Stage: Triple Perspective”

Official Greeter: Todd Starnes, Host/President, The Todd Starnes Show Syndication/Owner, KWAM, Memphis

“Welcome to TALKERS 2023”

Introduction: Victoria Jones, Executive Director, DC Radio Company

Speaker: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS

Special Guest (by remote): Bob Pittman, CEO, iHeart Media

Sponsored by The Doctor Asa Show

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Panel Discussion – 9:50 am to 10:25 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

“Programming News/Talk Radio in the Digital Era – Part 1”

Introduction: TBA

Moderator: Mike McVay, President, McVay Media Consulting

Panelists:

Michael Czarnecki, VP, Programming, Binnie Media

Tom Cuddy, Program Director, WOR, New York

Kevin DeLany, VP, News & Talk Programming, Westwood One

Eric Stanger, SVP, Operations, Sean Hannity Show, Premiere Networks

Joe Thomas, Host/Program Director, WCHV – Charlottesville, VA/PD, WRAD, River Valley, VA

Brett Winterble, Host, WBT, Charlotte

Sponsored by Premiere Networks
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Fireside Chat Part 1 – 10:30 am to 10:50 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

Guest:  Christopher Ruddy, Founder/CEO, Newsmax Media

Host: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS

Sponsored by Collette

Fireside Chat Part 2 – 10:55 am to 11:15 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

Guest: Jeff Warshaw, Founder/CEO Connoisseur Media

Host: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS

Sponsored by Benztown

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“Freedom of Speech Award” – 11:20 am to 11:40 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

Recipient: Tavis Smiley, Host/Owner, KBLA, Los Angeles

Presenter: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS

Sponsored by The Todd Starnes Show

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Four-Way Discussion – 11:45 am to 12:10 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

“The State of Sports Talk Radio”

Introduction: TBA

Facilitator: John T. Mullen, General Manager, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University

Panelists:

Grace Blazer, VP, National NTS Brand Coordinator, Director of News and AM Programming Florida Region, iHeart Radio

Mark Chernoff, Sports Reporter, 107.1 The Boss, Long Branch, NJ/Sports Radio Talent Coach

Spike Eskin, VP, Programming, WFAN, New York and CBS Sports Radio

Sponsored by Backbone Networks

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Lunch – 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm – Reception Tent next to John Cranford Adams Playhouse

Lunch Emcee: David Bernstein, GM, Broadcast Operations, TALKERS

“Welcome to Hofstra University”  

Speaker: Mark Lukasiewicz, Dean, Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Hofstra University

“Special Lunch Greetings”

Speaker: Carl Higbie, Host, Newsmax TV

“Humanitarian of the Year Award”

Presenter: Harry Hurley, Host, WPG, Atlantic City

Recipient: Jim Thompson, Former President, Broadcasters Foundation of America (posthumously)

Accepter: Renee Cassis, Broadcasters Foundation of America

Sponsored by Newsmax

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Panel Discussion – 1:20 pm to 1:55 pm

“Talk Radio and Podcasting”

Introduction: Guy Benson, Host, FOX News Radio

Moderator: Lisa Wexler, Host, WICC, Bridgeport, CT

Panelists:

Heather Cohen, SVP, The Weiss Agency

Steve Goldstein, CEO, Amplifi Media

Ron Hartenbaum, Managing Member, WYD Media

Chris Oliviero, Market President, Audacy New York

David Pakman, Host, The David Pakman Show

Larry Young, Host, The Larry Young Podcast

Sponsored by Visit Atlantic City

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Panel Discussion – 2:00 pm to 2:35 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

“Generating Talk Radio Revenue in a Digital World” 

Introduction: Doug Stephan, Host, Good Day Show/Founder Stephan Multimedia

Moderator: Steve Lapa, President, Lapcom Communications Corp

Panelists:

Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group

Paul Gleiser, Host/Owner, KTBB-FM-AM, Tyler, TX

Todd Starnes, Host/President, The Todd Starnes Show Syndication/Owner, KWAM, Memphis

Paul Vandenburgh, Host/Owner, WGDJ, Albany, NY

Michael Zwerling, Host/Owner, KSCO-FM-AM/KOME, Santa Cruz

Sponsored by The Ramsey Show

____________________________________________

Panel Discussion – 2:40 pm to 3:15 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

“The Big Picture”

Introduction: Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., Associate Publisher, TALKERS/President, the Harrison Legal Group

Moderator:  Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS

Panelists:

Arthur Aidala, Esq. Founding Partner, `Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, PC/Host, AM 970 The Answer, New York

Dr. Asa Andrew, CEO/Host, The Doctor Asa Network

Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media

Lee Habeeb, Host/Producer, Our American Stories

Lee Harris, Morning Co-Anchor, WINS, New York

Kraig Kitchin, CEO, Sound Mind, LLC

Sponsored by Newsmax

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Panel Discussion – 3:20 pm to 3:55 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

“Programming Talk Radio – Part 2”

Introduction: Alex Fife, VP Operations, Southeast, iHeartMedia – Total Traffic & Weather Network

Moderator: Walter Sabo, CEO, Sabo Media/Host/Producer, Sterling on Sunday

Speakers:

Phil Boyce, SVP, spoken word format, Salem Media Group; Ops VP, New York region/WMCA/AM 970 The Answer

Ross Kaminsky, Host, KOA, Denver

Josh Leng, CEO, Talk Media Network

Dan Mandis, Host/Program Director, WTN, Nashville

Matt Meany, Program Director, WABC, New York/Red Apple Audio

Greg Stocker, Brand Manager, WPHT, Philadelphia

Sponsored by Our American Stories

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Panel Discussion – 4:00 pm to 4:35 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

“Navigating a Radio Talk Show Hosting Career”

Introduction: Ryan McCormick, Managing Partner, Goldman McCormick, PR

Moderator: Dom Giordano, Host, WPHT, Philadelphia

Speakers:

Mandy Connell, talk show host, KOA, Denver

Jeff Katz, talk show host, WRVA, Richmond

Frank Morano, talk show host, WABC, New York

Martha Zoller, talk show host, WDUN, Gainesville, GA

More TBA

Sponsored by C. Crane

____________________________________________

Three-Way Chat – 4:40 pm to 5:00 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse

“Making the Connections Between Local and National, Radio and Television”

Facilitator: Harry Hurley, Host, WPG, Atlantic City, NJ

Speakers:

John Caracciolo, President/CEO, JVC Broadcasting

Brian Kilmeade, Host, FOX News Radio/FOX News Channel

Sponsored by The Michael Berry Show

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Closing Reception – 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Reception Tent next to John Cranford Adams Playhouse

Sponsor TBA

Program subject to changes