Barrett News Media took its first step into hosting news media conferences in 2023. Our Nashville show attracted professionals across the nation, and was well received, providing inspiration to take a second shot at uniting the industry. Once we decided to do it again in 2024, picking the right venue and city was critical. We found that in the Jack Morton Auditorium at the George Washington University in the nation’s capital.

But up to this point, all industry folks have known is that we’re hosting an event. For three months, we’ve promoted the dates and location, a ticket sale in January, and we’ve put out a call for speakers. With a sports summit on our schedule in March, we had to focus on that first before turning attention here. Now today, we’re ready to start moving forward and building the news media industry’s premiere event of 2024.

I am thrilled to reveal the first fourteen (14) speakers to the 2024 BNM Summit. It is a pleasure to welcome WTOP SVP/GM Joel Oxley, Former CBS Radio CEO Dan Mason, ABC Audio/ABC News VP Liz Alesse, Audacy’s VP of News/Talk Drew Anderssen, WTOP PD Julia Ziegler, 93.1 WIBC PD David Wood, WIBC morning host Tony Katz, WMAL PD Bill Hess, WSB PD Ken Charles, Audacy Buffalo SVP/MM Tim Wenger, Silver Oak Political President Steve Passwaiter, WRVA afternoon host Jeff Katz, McVay Media President Mike McVay, and voice talent extraordinaire Jim Cutler.

These fourteen accomplished professionals will join us at the 2024 BNM Summit on September 4-5, 2024. To celebrate our first announcement, BNM has lowered tickets from $299.99 to $249.99 for this week only. To take advantage of reduced rates, visit BNMSummit.com. Normal rates return on Monday April 8.

In addition to revealing our first group of speakers, I’m also excited to welcome our first five 2024 BNM Summit partners. We are excited to team up with Newsmax, Premiere Networks, Quu, MRN, and JJ Surma Voiceovers for this year’s show. A few others are nearing the finish line and will be announced during the next speaker’s update. To get your brand or company involved in the show, email Stephanie Eads at [email protected].

Demand for the 2024 BNM Summit from a sponsorship standpoint has been higher than any other we’ve created so far, including our sports conferences. Ticket sales have also been higher. I’m not sure if that’s due to the success of the first show, being in D.C., hosting the Summit just before an election or something else, but we greatly appreciate the support.

If you’ve reached out to express interest in speaking, please understand that I’m not done building the show. We’ll have 40-60 people on stage by the time we get to September. However, interest in participating is not a guarantee that I’ll be able to include you. I want to deliver the best and most informative show for industry professionals, doing that requires a focus on tech, sales, content, programming, digital, podcasting, AI and more. If it isn’t going to educate or excite the room, I’m likely to pass.

Feedback on our shows is consistently strong because we value every session. I cast a wide net building this show because I want successful business people from all areas of the industry in the room. The goal is to educate on stage, and increase professional relationships at the after parties or in the hallways. I know we’re not getting rich off of these events so for me, it has to be about the quality. Otherwise, why do it?

I’m attending the NAB Show in Las Vegas in a few weeks where I’ll meet with a few potential speakers. Discussions with a few prominent folks are also ongoing. If there’s someone you’d like to hear speak at the show, I always welcome feedback at [email protected]. I am hoping to pass along another update at the start of May, if not sooner. This is going to be a big event, and I hope you’ll join us in Washington D.C. on September 4-5.