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: Eric Matte, 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. Rob Quicke, Professor and Director of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism & Mass Communications, Marshall University

Moderater: Bobbi Washechek, IBS Board

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 Station Operations

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

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

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News Reporting with Peter Haskell

Liberty 4

Panel: Peter Haskell, formerly of WCBS 880

Moderator: George Capalbo, IBS Board

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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

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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

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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; Brian Sapp - SVP, Client Success and Service Delivery, Inrush; Mindy Hoffman, Engineer, Audacy – NY; Advisor, 90.3 FM The Core; Mike Downs, Executive Director, Society of Broadcast Engineers

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 – Brian

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

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

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

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; Bianca Mistretta, Program Director Sirius XM The 10s Spot & Faction Punk
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; Brian Sapp - SVP, Client Success and Service Delivery, Inrush; Engineer, Audacy – NY; Advisor, 90.3 FM The Core; Mike Downs, Executive Director, Society of Broadcast Engineers

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, Brian, Bud, Mindy

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

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 Damashak - 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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Getting TV Technical with MSNOW (formerly MSNBC)

Liberty 1 & 2
Panel: Jerry Schaefer, Operations and Technical Manager, MSNOW

Moderator: Eric Matte, IBS Board

 

Promoting and Marketing Your Podcast

Liberty 3
Panel: Robert Peterson, Director, Marketing - ESPN Radio Network and Podcasts, Good Karma Brands; Joan Michelson, Host of Electric Ladies Podcast

Moderator: Jason Feldman, IBS Board

Be A Part of Shelley Wade (from 94.7 The Block's) Podcast Recording!

Liberty 4
Panel: Shelley Wade, 94.7 The Block, Audacy NYC
Moderator: Shawn Novatt, WHPC

Award winning media personality Shelley Wade—Afternoon Host on Audacy's 94.7 The Block New York—brings her "The Goodness Factor with Shelley Wade" podcast live to IBS 2026. The podcast shines the spotlight on good news and good people doing good things. Join Shelley as she records her podcast at the session and be part of the podcast by sharing your good news and the kindness stories! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on "The Goodness Factor with Shelley Wade" YouTube channel. Also subscribe to the audio version wherever you get your podcasts.

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

Liberty 5
Panel: TBD

Moderator: Bobbi Washechek, KJHK
 

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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; Michelle Jerson, PassportMommy, Jodi Vale, 1010 WINS & Five Towns College; Cat, WBLI Long Island

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: 

Moderator: Shawn Novatt, WHPC 

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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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AI, and Creating and Composing New Work

Liberty 5
Panel: E. Michael Harrington, Berklee Online

Moderator: Diana Basso, Esq., IBS Board

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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: Michelle Jerson, PassportMommy; Walter Sterling (aka Walter Sabo) of WPHT, Philadelphia
Moderator: George Capalbo, IBS Board

  

Understanding Intellectual Property and Fair Use Legal Issues

Riverside Ballroom

Panel: E. Michael Harrington, Berklee Online

Moderator: Diana Basso, Esq., IBS Board

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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

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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

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Click here to see Saturday's schedule.

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