Session 1 - 9:30am

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How To Talk To The Music Industry and Get What You Want!  Featuring Spinitron
New York East

Panel: Eva Papp, Spinitron

Moderator: Diana Basso, Esq., IBS Board
How does your music director connect with the right people to send the right music? Can your DJs share what they play publicly? Is it possible for your program director to shape the voice for a station? And why is it so tough sometimes to do all of that? Learning the ways to better connect with your audience, musicians, and the wider music industry is a responsibility and need of any station, and you should know about the ways you can easily and quickly do just that. Join this panel to find out just how important that work is and chat through ways you can simplify and publicize it with services like Spinitron and others.

All Vinyl, All Heart: Vinylthon 2026 Weekend is Coming - Are You Ready?

Riverside Suite
Panel: Dr. Tim Craig, Professor of Communication, Warner University

Moderater: Bobbi Washechek, IBS Board
Vinylthon is an annual global radio event where stations celebrate the art of vinyl by spinning records live on air for 24 hours. It brings together commercial and non-commercial stations to raise funds for Next Step Radio scholarships that support students pursuing careers in radio. Come and hear how your station can get involved!

Faculty Roundtable - How We Can Help Our Students

Riverside Ballroom
Panel: Jodi Vale, Faculty Advisor, Five Towns College Radio WFTC & 1010 WINS;  Dr. Carol Toussie Weingarten, Associate Professor & Inaugural Director, WXVU 89.1 The Roar; Al Levine "On The Scene" - Nassau Community College, formerly with WBLI

Moderator: Dr. Chet LaPrice, IBS Board
Regardless of prior experience, students find themselves and community through college radio.  How can faculty best help individuals, teams, and stations? Using examples of success and challenges, this interactive session will discuss strategies that station members and advisors can apply in their own settings.

DIY Operations: Practical tips for an effective & sustainable student-run station

Liberty 1&2
Panel: Mindy Hoffman, Advisor at 90.3 The Core, Piscataway, NJ, and Engineer at Audacy with General s Elliot Dong, Program Director Sarah Keppler, Head Music Director Ozzie Zakusilo, Production Director Cassandra Iavarone, Training Coordinator Joe Butta. Events Coordinator Danielle Lohrman

Moderator: Chris Thomas, IBS President
The Core is a student-run, music-focused station with over 150 active members that's been operating since 1971, and we've learned some things that might be useful to you, too.  Come hear how we handle DJ training, staff management, community engagement and events, and find out about the processes and documents that keep the station running day to day and year to year.

On-Air, On-Site, On-Point: College Media's Pathway to Professionalism

Liberty 3
Panel: Professor Dawn Benfer, Professor Linda Burkley, and WQSU Executive Board Officer - Susquehanna University
Moderator: Dave Fabilli, IBS Board
This presentation showcases how college radio transforms classroom and studio learning into a foundation for student success. From mastering on-air skills and live sports coverage to creating social media content, producing live remotes and campus events, students gain confidence and professional skills through experiential learning opportunities that will set them apart in the media landscape. This panel highlights strategies to enhance student learning, boost station visibility, foster community partnerships, and generate revenue.

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News Reporting with Peter Haskell

Liberty 4

Panel: Peter Haskell, formerly of WCBS 880; Kristie Keleshian, reporter for 1010WINS Radio and CBS2 TV

Moderator: George Capalbo, IBS Board
Being a radio reporter in a big city or small town, you'll need to follow the same standards.  What does it take to be a solid audio journalist?

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Station PR On Campus - Building An Image

Liberty 5
Panel: Dr. Richard Robinson, WUTM FM 90.3 “The Hawk” University of Tennessee at Martin
Moderator: Erica Moura, IBS Board
In this session, crafting an image for your radio station will be covered.  This will include dealing with school administrators, fostering buzz on campus among students, and creating an image of positivity for your staff and station.

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Session 2 - 11am

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Programming Music Radio Masterclass
New York East

Panel: Rob Miller, Program Director, and Jim Ryan, Former Program Director, of WNEW 102.7 New York (Audacy)

Moderator: Shawn Novatt, WHPC

Programming Sports Radio Masterclass

Riverside Suite
Panel: Ryan Hurley, WFAN Program Director

Moderater:  Dave Fabilli, IBS Board

An Audience with Z100 ZJ's Crystal Rosas and Josh Martinez

Riverside Ballroom
Panel: Crystal Rosas and Josh Martinez, Z100 New York (iHeartMedia)

Moderator: Bryce Davis, KJHK Music Directo

I Want To Be A Producer!  Producing Morning & Talk Radio

Liberty 1&2
Panel: Natalie Vacca, Executive Producer, WOR Morning Show NYC iHeartMedia; Symantha Wilson, Producer, The Breakfast Club & Music Director at Power 105.1 NYC iHeartMedia; Heather Bermudez, CBS-FM Audacy NYC; Andre Yancey, Former Morning Show Producer, now Programming with 94.7 The Block NYC Audacy
Moderator: Eric Matte, IBS Board

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Concert Coverage and Photography

Liberty 3
Panel: Lauren Braun and Cameron Castaldi, KJHK

Moderator: Bobbi Washechek, IBS Board & KJHK

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FCC Q&A

Liberty 4

Panel: Ed Perry, owner of WATD; Scott Fybush, Northeast Radio Watch/Tower Site of The Week (fybush.com) 

Moderator: Allen Myers, IBS Board
Scott Fybush of Fybush Media has been a consultant to broadcasters on FCC matters for two decades, working on regulatory compliance, allocations issues, facility upgrades, and applications for new translators and full-power signals.

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Underwriting and Creative Ways To Raise Money For Your Station Budget

Liberty 5
Panel: Dr. Richard C. Robinson, Faculty Adviser, WUTM FM 90.3 “The Hawk”, The University of Tennessee at Martin

Moderator: Diana Basso, Esq., IBS Board

​This session is designed to foster ideas for creating additional income for the operation of your radio station.  Underwriting, promotions, sponsorships, student media fees and other ideas will be discussed.

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Session 3 - 1pm

Spotlight on Hip-Hop and R&B Programming with 94.7 The Block

New York East
Panel: Skip Dillard, Shelley Wade, and Andre Yancey from 94.7 The Block

Moderator: Chris Thomas, IBS President

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IBS Engineering Track

Riverside Suite

IBS Engineering Track – Presented by SBE Chapter 15 - NYC

Presenters: Bud Williamson – Chairman, SBE15 – NYC; Pres. Digital Radio Engineering; Managing Member, Neversink Media;  Andy Gladding, - Vice Chairman, SBE15 – NYC; Owner, WKZE Radio; Chief Engineer Salem Media NYC, WRHU, WHPC; Mindy Hoffman, Engineer, Audacy – NY; Advisor, 90.3 FM The Core; Mike Downs, Executive Director, Society of Broadcast Engineers; Scott Fybush, Engineer, Fybush Media  

Moderator: George Capalbo
 

1:00pm –  Introduction – Bud & Andy

1:10pm -  Radio Engineering Basics - basic troubleshooting, how audio gets from you to your listener, how to recognize different kinds of AM, FM & TV antennas in the wild, Q & A – Mindy

1:40pm – Technology Update - Where is technology now and what equipment do you need to carry out your mission?  Studio – Transmitter – Radio Display, Q & A – Andy & Bud

2:10pm – How to procure funding and manage an upgrade project, Q & A – Andy, Bud, Mindy

Turn It Up!  NACC Charting & Tracking Tips To Maximize Your Reach

Riverside Ballroom
Panel: David Dekeyser - Spinitron; Skylar Rochelle - co-sign / Head of College Radio Promo; Doug Blake - Pirate! Promotion; TBD - A Representative from NACC

Moderator: Jessica Weber, co-sign
Music programming folks—this one’s for you. Hear from NACC, Spinitron, and leading promo teams on why collaboration is essential to building your station’s profile with listeners and artists alike. Music Directors and industry folks - UNITE! Let’s connect on how we can work better - and smarter! - together for artists and our local communities in 2026.

An Audience with Sound Exchange: What They Do & Why We Pay Them!

Liberty 1 & 2
Panel: Katie Beiter, Sr., Manager of Licensing and Enforcement, SoundExchange

Moderator: Diana Basso, Esq., IBS Board
Does your school’s radio station play music? If yes, you may require a license. That’s where SoundExchange comes in! We’ll go over some copyright basics, talk about royalties and reporting, and go over important updates for 2026.  

Best College Station in the Nation Branding Practices with WIDR-FM

Liberty 3
Panel: Glen Dillon, Western Michigan University
Moderator: Dr. Chet LaPrice, IBS Board

 

Obscenity & Indecency Updates

Liberty 4
Panel: Ed Perry, owner of WATD; Allen Myers, IBS Board Member
Moderator: Allen Myers, IBS Board Member

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The College Radio Content Bible

Liberty 5

Panel: Taylor Mayne - Video Content Editor, KJHK; Cameron Castaldi, Content Director, KJHK; Jaron Holber, Audio Content Editor, KJHK
Moderator: ​​Bobbi Washechek, IBS Board & KJHK

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Session 4 - 2:30pm

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Programming Your High School or College Station Like The Pros

New York East
Panel: John Foxx, CBS-FM Program Director, Audacy NYC; Dave Stewart, CBS-FM Night Host
Moderator: Dr. Chet LaPrice, IBS Board

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IBS Engineering Track

Riverside Suite

IBS Engineering Track – Presented by SBE Chapter 15 - NYC

Presenters: Bud Williamson – Chairman, SBE15 – NYC; Pres. Digital Radio Engineering; Managing Member, Neversink Media;  Andy Gladding, - Vice Chairman, SBE15 – NYC; Owner, WKZE Radio; Chief Engineer Salem Media NYC, WRHU, WHPC; Engineer, Audacy – NY; Advisor, 90.3 FM The Core; Mike Downs, Executive Director, Society of Broadcast Engineers; Scott Fybush, Engineer, Fybush Media  

Moderator: George Capalbo

 

2:40pm – The Value of SBE membership – Knowledge, Networking, Jobs! – Andy, Bud

2:50pm  - Media Engineering Jobs – Where are they and how do you get one?  Andy, Bud, Mindy, Scott

3:00pm – Engineering Q & A – From FCC Compliance, EAS, Transmitters & Towers to the Studio – Ask the experts – Andy,  Bud, Mindy, Scott

Broadcast Brainstorm: Music Director & Station Strategy Session

Riverside Ballroom
Panel: Jessica Besack - SiriusXM / Sr Director Music Programming + Special Projects; Tia Ho - Music curator / Content Creator; Alex Damashek - Move Forward Music - Live Event Specialist; Joe McGuinness - The Syndicate - VP, Radio Promotion
Moderator: Jessica Weber, co-sign
In this session, we’ll unpack insights from the previous NACC / Tracking panel and break into specialist-led groups—covering social media, live events, special programming, and more—to explore how to turn on-air work into content and events that truly resonate with audiences both online and IRL.

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UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO A SCHEDULE CONFLICT, THE MSNOW SESSION IN LIBERTY 1&2 HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  Please enjoy one of the other sessions at this time.  We Jerry Schaefer apologizes for missing IBS.

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Breaking Into Broadcasting: Writing News So You Can Write Your Own Ticket: Presented by 24/7 News

Liberty 3
Panel: Roger Piña, Regional Vice  President, Affiliate Sales, Total Traffic & Weather Network | 24/7 News / NBC News Radio; Chris Berry, EVP News/Talk/Sports Programming, iHeartMedia; Tim Scheld; Retired News Director WCBS 880, Past Chair, Radio, Television, Digital News Association (RTDNA), Current Adjunct Professor of Media and Journalism Montclair State University

Moderator: Bobbi Washechek, KJHK
A key to breaking into the radio business is news writing skills. Experts in the industry explain how to improve your writing skills and use 24/7 News Source as a daily lab in news writing for broadcast.

 

***SESSION BELOW IS A CHANGE DUE TO SCHEDULE CONFLICT**
Writing Copy For Radio - and When AI Can Help

Liberty 4
Panel/Moderator: Eric Matte, IBS Board, Chair, Department of Professional Studies; Professor of Communication; Faculty Advisor for WLMC Landmark College Radio

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Promoting and Marketing Your Podcast

Liberty 5
Panel: Robert Peterson, Director, Marketing - ESPN Radio Network and Podcasts, Good Karma Brands; Joan Michelson, Host of Electric Ladies Podcast; Cathy Czukas, Founder & CEO, AdLarge & The Fwd Network

Moderator: Jason Feldman, IBS Board

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Session 5 - 4pm

Women In Media

New York East
Panel: Symantha Wilson, MD, Power 105.1 NYC iHeartMedia; Shelley Rome, ZJ, Z100 NYC iHeartMedia; Jodi Vale, 1010 WINS & Five Towns College

Moderator: Erica Moura, IBS Board

 

Future-Ready Broadcasting: Growing Your Station and Your Career, in a Digital Audio World (with Zeno Media)

Riverside Suite
Panel: Mike McVay, Zeno Media Strategic Advisor & President of McVay Media; Will Ehrhardt, Zeno Media Account Manager

Moderator: Allen Myers, IBS Board
In this session, leaders from Zeno Media will explore how college stations can expand their reach using modern digital audio tools, including streaming, podcasting, mobile apps, analytics, and emerging AI-powered workflows. Attendees will learn how solutions like automated podcast creation, on-demand content repurposing, and simplified distribution can help stations do more with limited time and resources, while making their content more accessible to audiences everywhere.

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From Interview to Airwaves with Sheroes & Lake Street Dive

Riverside Ballroom
Panel: Carmel Holt - Sheroes Podcast / Radio Show - Creator, Host, Producer; Kelly Drake - Sheroes Podcast / Radio Show - Mixing / Mastering Engineer; Bridget Kearney - Artist - Lake Street Dive

Moderator: Jessica Weber, co-sign

In this session, the creators of the syndicated non-commercial radio show Sheroes will break down how to prepare for and deliver a great interview—and transform it into standout radio and content. We’ll also hear from Bridget Kearney of Lake Street Dive, who will share insights from the artist’s side of the conversation.

Audio Visual: The Value of Design in the Music Industry

Liberty 1&2
Panel: Payton Butler, Creative Director, KJHK
Moderator: Bryce Davis, KJHK Music Director​

 

Texting and Radio: Why SMS Matters - Presented by TextGroove.com

Liberty 3
Panel: Curtis Machek, Co-Founder & CEO, Text Groove Communications Inc.

Moderator: Shawn Novatt, WHPC 
As audience behavior shifts to mobile-first communication, SMS is redefining how radio connects with listeners. Join us for a practical look at why texting matters and how over 3000 stations are using SMS to boost engagement and build audiences.

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Want To Own A Radio Station Someday?  Meet Local Owners!

Liberty 4
Panel: Ed Perry, owner of WATD, Andy Gladding, Owner of WKZE; Scott Fybush, Northeast Radio Watch/Tower Site of The Week (fybush.com) 
Moderator: ​Dave Fabilli, IBS Board
Scott Fybush of Fybush Media is a consultant and radio station broker. For more than two decades, he has worked with sellers and buyers of radio stations and helped new owners find their way into the radio industry. He's also an engineering consultant who works with stations around the country on technical and FCC regulatory issues.

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The Effects of Copyright Law/IP Law and Litigation on Music

Liberty 5

Panel: E. Michael Harrington, Berklee Online

Moderator: Diana Basso, Esq., IBS Board
Harrington is a composer, musician, consultant, professor, and course author and professor at Berklee Online. Harrington served as expert at the U.S. Copyright Office and World Intellectual Property Organization’s symposium “Copyright in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” at the Library of Congress on February 5, 2020. He created the Coursera / Berklee College of Music Copyright Law In The Music Business class which has been taken by students from 185 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, the Berklee Online Music Business Capstone course, and the Berklee Online Graduate Music Business Law class.  

 

As music copyright expert he has served as consultant in hundreds of music copyright & IP matters involving Apple, Amazon, Buena Vista, Walt Disney, HBO, Samsung, Blurred Lines, Busta Rhymes, Dua Lipa, Marvel, EA, 50 Cent, Tupac, the Chicks, Ed Sheeran, Led Zeppelin, Taylor Swift, Steve Perry, Adele, Lady Gaga, Deadmau5, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Snoop, Vince Gill, T-Pain, Steven Spielberg, USPS and more.

 

In this session, Dr. Harrington will discuss why it is important to know copyright law if you plan to program a radio station to avoid any legal issues, and what you can – and can’t do – with copyrighted materials on the air.

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Session 6 - 5:30pm

 

IBS Media Awards: High School Awards

New York East
Host: Eric Matte, IBS Board

Talk Radio Tips and Tricks

Riverside Suite
Panel: Walter Sterling (aka Walter Sabo) of WPHT, Philadelphia; Cooper Lawrence, Anchor and Entertainment Reporter, CBS News Radio; Lee Harris, President, NewsBalancer / RadioRedact
Moderator: George Capalbo, IBS Board
Talk radio continues to be the number one format. It’s free-form, no rules radio. There are entry level jobs and this session shares how to land a job and keep it.

  

New Developments in Generative AI, Tech and Music

Riverside Ballroom
Panel: E. Michael Harrington, Berklee Online

Moderator: Diana Basso, Esq., IBS Board
Harrington is a composer, musician, consultant, professor, and course author and professor at Berklee Online. Harrington served as expert at the U.S. Copyright Office and World Intellectual Property Organization’s symposium “Copyright in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” at the Library of Congress on February 5, 2020.  In addition to the US Copyright Office, he has served as an AI & legal issues expert for the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Copyright Society of the South, Leadership Music, Rotary and other organizations. 

 

He created the Coursera / Berklee College of Music Copyright Law In The Music Business class which has been taken by students from 185 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, the Berklee Online Music Business Capstone course, and the Berklee Online Graduate Music Business Law class.  As music copyright expert he has worked in cases involving Led Zeppelin, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Steve Perry, HBO and others. 

 

In this session, Dr. Harrington will explore new uses of generative AI and many copyright/IP concerns, and offer practical guidance for using AI as a creator and collaborator.

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Order in the Chaos: Cataloging, and Controlling Your Music Library

Liberty 1&2
Panel: Addie DiPietro, Program Manager/Library Director; Allison Silver, Station Manager; Ray Hollopeter, Automation Director, all with WTSR

Moderator: Dr. Chet LaPrice, IBS Board
Your music library is the most important part of the sonic vocabulary of your station, yet why is it so often relegated to a confusing mess? Join us for some tips on how to start managing your music library in a way that is both beneficial to your DJs, your Station, and the generations of music to come!

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Driving Funding To Your Station

Liberty 3

Panel: Bobbi Washechek, KJHK, IBS Board

Moderator: Bobbi Washechek, KJHK, IBS Board

Generating revenue can seem like a taxing addition of work to your radio station, but it can also be fun and exciting. This session will showcase several ways your station can bring in revenue through membership drives, events, and sponsorships.

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How (and Why) To Hit The Ground Running To Find A Job After Graduation
Liberty 4
Panel: Jamie Levine and Demetrik Hylton, former students at WHPC who obtained jobs at Audacy and iHeartMedia
Moderator: Shawn Novatt, WHPC

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Building Your Staff - Creating A Culture of Excellence

Liberty 5
Panel: Dr. Richard Robinson, WUTM FM 90.3 “The Hawk” University of Tennessee at Martin; Dr. Carol Toussie Weingarten, Associate Professor & Inaugural Director, WXVU 89.1 The Roar
Moderator: Jason Feldman
What’s a culture of excellence? This session will address excellence and its application to individuals, teams, and radio stations. Hiring procedures for staff, job descriptions, personnel policies and fostering a team concept at your station will be covered.  Personnel problems, issues, and success in achieving excellence will also be discussed, with a question-and-answer session during the presentation.

 

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Click here to see Saturday's schedule.

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