TALKERS Magazine Enthusiastically Supports the 2026 IBS Conference in New York as its Presenting Sponsor
By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Legal Group, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer
TALKERS magazine, the leading trade publication serving America’s professional broadcast talk radio and associated digital communities since 1990, is pleased to participate as the presenting sponsor of the forthcoming Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference for the second consecutive year.
IBS NYC 2026 – America’s preeminent annual college radio and media gathering – will take place February 19-21 at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel in midtown Manhattan. The non-profit, volunteer-driven, IBS has been diligently serving student broadcasters since 1940, and its services are needed today more than ever.
Campus broadcasting continues to take on growing importance as the radio industry (and its related fields) seeks to connect with and develop a next generation of professional practitioners as well as engaged audiences. TALKERS is honored to again provide financial support, encouragement, experience, and advice to the dedicated organizers of this very special event.
We highly recommend that radio and media professionals attend this dynamic gathering because the grass roots future of the field oozes out of its content-rich meeting rooms, exhibition areas, and hallways. It provides fertile ground at which to network with almost a thousand wide-eyed up and coming stars in both talent and management – the next generation of professional industry movers and shakers. From the high school, college, and university perspective, the fact that it continues to be a must-attend conference for dedicated students of communication and professional media hopefuls remains a self-evident truth. Here, in the early stages of the second quarter of the 21st century, everybody’s in show biz and everybody’s a star. To quote Ray Davies, “There are stars in every city, in every house and on every street.”
The skills of modern communication are a vocational necessity well beyond entering a career in radio, TV or podcasting. The abilities to produce a podcast, YouTube video, social media campaign, cogent press release, or “talk show” constitute a minimal level of modern age literacy needed in almost all fields of endeavor going forward.
Since its launch nearly four decades ago, TALKERS magazine has been a potent presence at the intersection of media creation, education, and accountability. That’s why our support of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference isn’t just symbolic – it’s practical.
The next generation of broadcasters, podcasters, digital hosts, producers, and media entrepreneurs is already building the future of this industry. IBS has been helping them do that – consistently, seriously, and without shortcuts – for decades.
Campus stations are often where experimentation happens first:
- New formats
- New voices
- New distribution models
- New cultural conversations
- New technology
- New legal frontiers
IBS recognizes that reality and treats student media creators with the same seriousness the industry demands at the professional level. This aligns directly with our TALKERS mission: supporting informed, responsible, creative media across emerging platforms.
We’re not simply sponsoring a conference. We’re investing in the people who will define the next era of media.
For more information on the 2026 IBS conference, please click HERE.
Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonLegalGroup.com or read more at TALKERS.com.
across documentary, entertainment, news, sports, and corporate audio.” NYFestivals EVP Rose Anderson adds, “The robust world of audio storytelling today is fully represented in the 2026 edition of the Grand Jury. From audiobooks to podcasts and video podcasts, from investigative journalism to live events, and from mystery to social justice, this year’s men and women of the jury volunteer their time and lend their expertise.” 
voice acting services for cash or barter, directed by Benztown producers in collaboration with station program directors and producers, and totally customized to their needs… The actors call in to radio stations, asking questions, playing along with comedy bits, sharing local information, talking up contests and promotions, and more – all according to the specific needs of each station.” Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes says, “We live in a digitally overloaded world, and human interaction and connectivity have become increasingly crucial. Role Callers serves as an invaluable tool, effectively sparking live listener engagement on some of the nation’s most prominent morning shows.”
