MAKING THE ASK: ENGAGING MAJOR DONORS
Demystify the process of cultivating donors and asking for dollars in this interactive session designed to give you hands-on experience and practice at engaging major donors.  Role playing and different scenarios will give you a chance to practice the process so you can do it for real.  (Presenters:  Lisa Titus, MontanaPBS; Betsy Gerdeman, KLRU/Austin, and Russ Peotter, WGBY/Springfield)

MOBILE DTV 2011/2012
Public television stations now have ability to use the airwaves to broadcast content via Mobile DTV, but some questions remain.  What needs to be in place to broadcast Mobile DTV? Just as important, does the Mobile DTV ecosystem support the business models that serve stations and their viewers?  Presenters: Peter Mataga and Mark Rushton, Roundbox

PBS 2012 PRIMETIME CONTENT STRATEGY
Better audience flow, new shows and new formats, NOVA on Wednesday?  Jump in to PBS’s primetime content strategy.   Learn more about the goals PBS has and the steps needed to achieve them.   PBS plans to bring your station a larger primetime audience that views your content more frequently and for a longer duration.
Producer: Caryn Ginsberg, PBS / Presenter:  John Wilson, PBS

TEACHINGCHANNEL:  AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE AN EDUCATION STANDARD-BEARER

Learn how your station can be a part of TeachingChannel (Tch), the new broadcast and online resource designed for educators, parents, and everyone concerned with improving education.  Modeled on Teachers TV, the highly successful British service, Tch tells stories about what it takes to improve teaching and learning.  For teachers and others involved in education, it’s a professional development resource; for general viewers, Tch increases understanding of what can happen in schools and the challenges teachers face.  Tch is being offered for exclusive distribution to public television stations by WNET in partnership with NETA starting this month.  Come see examples of Tch programming,  and get information about broadcasting, and ideas for how you can use this service to further demonstrate public television’s commitment to education.
Presenter:  Ron Thorpe, Thirteen/WNET.org  / Producer:  Jon Rubin, Thirteen/WNET.org

WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? IMPROVING YOUR INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Faced with information overload on a daily basis, sometimes you have no idea what’s going on in your own organization. There are better ways to communicate internally to keep staff in the know, and in turn create an involved and engaged work atmosphere.  Learn how successful internal communications can improve workflow. Producer:  Tiffany Verkler, AETN
Presenters:  Laurie Ellison, Children’s Mercy Hospitals; Justin Goldsborough, Fleishman-Hillard International Communications

APTS UPDATE
APTS staff has come to Kansas City to present the latest developments on the Hill and at the FCC.  Get the forecast from them on the appropriations and education legislative fronts. Find out all the facts on the administration’s broadcast spectrum plans. Presenters: Will Glasscock and Lonna Thompson, APTS

BUILDING AND SUSTAINING PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNIVERSITIES
There are station models for building and sustaining successful partnerships with universities, and this is your chance to speed-visit with three of them.  NET/Nebraska is producing on-air content and highlighting climate research at University of Nebraska/Lincoln.  The Utah Education Network has partnered with universities, received funding and also faced rejection for over $50 million in proposals.  WFSU/Tallahassee has joined forces with Florida State University’s High Magnetic Field Laboratory for SciGirls, now in its 7^th season.  Hear from representatives of all three, and make plans for your own. Producer: Kim Kelling-Engstrom, WFSU; Presenters: Terry Dugas, NET Nebraska; Laura Hunter, Utah Education Network

EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT, TECHNICAL REFRESH, OR “KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES”
No matter what you call it, replacing/upgrading equipment became much more difficult with the demise of PTFP and the severe restrictions placed on the CPB digital funds. Join in a frank round table discussion on this serious matter and learn what your colleagues are doing to keep up.  Producer: Russ Abernathy, WKNO

OFF-AIR: GIVING PROGRAMS A LONGER LIFE
This session is a primer on digital distribution via iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, and others. Find out what content is right for these distribution channels, and how to pursue the deals. Producer: Chris Holmes, Alabama Public Television.  Presenters:       Amy Letourneau, PBS; Sreedevi Sripathy, ITVS

PLAYING WELL IN THE SANDBOX: WORKING WITH YOUR PUBLIC RADIO STATION
Sometimes even being a joint licensee doesn’t make working across platforms any easier. Yet your relationship with your public radio station can be productive for both of you. This session looks at opportunities for cross promotion, quid pro quo, managing turf wars and how you can maximize your impact by working with your nearest NPR station. Adding video to enhance radio web features, cooperating on events and strategies for the upcoming Election 2012 coverage will also be discussed. Presenters:  Julie Philipp, WXXI; Tim Zeko, WKAR  Producer/Presenter: Jeannie Croope, WKAR

PROTRACK
Are you getting the most out of ProTrack? Myers staff representatives have come to Kansas City to demonstrate solutions to your ProTrack problems, based on questions solicited prior to the conference, and to offer suggestions on ways you can improve your experience. This is your chance to gain full advantage of the power of ProTrack.  Producer: Justin Harvey, Nashville Public Television   Presenter:       Nancy Carter, Myers Information Systems

AMERICAN GRADUATE:  A MODEL FOR PUBLIC MEDIA BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
Public media organizations across the country are working with trusted community partners and education agencies to improve high school graduation rates. This CPB-funded initiative will be a major proof-point in the case for public media’s impact locally and nationally, and for how stations become more fundable in the process.  This panel will explore the approach to this groundbreaking initiative where stations leverage their competencies on-air, online and on the ground to bring communities together. Producer: Amy Shaw, Nine Network of Public Media    Presenters: Charles Meyer, NCME and Debra Sanchez, CPB

ENGINEERING SURPRISE
This session is just what it says it is: a surprise. Your colleagues are going offsite to look for what Kansas City has for the ever-inquiring technologist. This excursion, while not always broadcast-related, always is steeped in substantive technology. Don’t ask because they won’t tell.   Producer:  Russ Abernathy, WKNO
    

GROUP HEALTH SOLUTIONS
Healthcare insurance costs are a mighty burden on individual public broadcasters.  This session will present the benefits of joining a newly-formed captive insurance company. Representatives from the NETA Business Center and WellSpring Consulting Group will delineate the steps necessary to get involved and the project’s timeline. Producers/Presenters:         Luan Doan, WellSpring Consulting Group; Steve Mandel and Anita Sims, NETA Business Center

LEADING THROUGH CHANGE – HOW TO USE DIALOGUE TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR EMPLOYEES
Public television stations are going through great changes to enhance their services and remain viable and vital community institutions.  But change is hard on those asked to do it.  This session will focus on how station leaders can use dialogue to help their employees connect to their work and the station’s goals, and embrace change.  Designed for anyone who manages people, this session will help you build a useful leadership skill, one you can draw on throughout your career.
Producer:  Carol Sorber, PBS

PUBLIC MEDIA STARTUP: 10 LESSONS PUBLIC MEDIA CAN LEARN FROM SILICON VALLEY
Are you operating your station like a technology startup? Public broadcasting faces a fast-changing business environment and disruptive technology innovations with limited time and resources. Learn how to apply the same ideas that made Silicon Valley the driver of new technology.  You can create a culture of innovation and change at your station, using examples from Apple, Google, Facebook, Twitter, and others.  Producer:  Shane Guiter, KLRU-TV, Austin PBS

THE WHY & HOW OF DEVELOPING COMMUNITY PRODUCERS
As public media moves from a ‘one-to-many’ communication style to a ‘many-to-many’ mindset and workflow, how do you ensure people in your community have the skills to participate, engage, and share their voice and their story?  Here’s an idea:  through opening your doors and training community members to be community producers, you can reinforce our significance and relevance, while also increasing your capacity and leveraging your assets and strengths.  This is the place to discuss the benefits, hurdles, and best practices of engaging the community in content production.
Producers:       Ed Reggi, Nine Network of Public Media; Christopher Holmes, Alabama Public Television
Presenters:       Jack Brighton, Illinois Public Media;  Craig Santoro, WHYY

GENERAL MANAGERS & EDUCATION DIRECTORS FORUM
General managers and education directors are invited to participate in a free-wheeling exchange of meaningful ideas on how best to signal your station’s value to stakeholders. How do you communicate ROI?  What proof of performance tools do you use to demonstrate worth?  Best practice examples will be collected in advance, so this session/forum is your chance to share successes with your public television colleagues. Producers: Denise Blumenthal, WGBH;  Laura Hunter, Utah Education Network

PLEDGE STRATEGIES – FROM PROGRAMMING TO MEMBERSHIP        
Idaho Public Television’s veteran programmer Ron Pisaneschi will present how he works collaboratively with his membership department and the strategies he employs in selecting and scheduling pledge programming for maximum success.  PBS staff will also be on-hand to share content and strategies for December pledge.  Come prepared to share your ideas and to take home new insights.  Producer:  Patty Foster, Iowa Public Television Foundation   Presenter: Ron Pisaneschi, Idaho Public Television

REGARDING WAR: INCREASING YOUR STATION’S REACH WITH POV DOCUMENTARIES
POV, PBS’s longest running showcase for independent nonfiction, entered its 24^th season this year. In this session, POV staff awill present selections from the upcoming documentaries, Where Soldiers Come From, Armadillo and the StoryCorps Shorts, as well as companion multimedia content, downloadable educational materials and information on social media engagement and how to organize screenings at your station.
Presenters/Producers: Eliza Licht and Theresa Riley, POV

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT CODECS CAN HURT YOU!
Venture into the mysterious world of codecs, compression and various file formats. Find out how they affect decisions about equipment, workflow and your ability to receive and transmit your content. Producer: Kathryn Scott, Vermont Public Television; Presenter: Joseph Tymecki, Vermont Public Television

YOU WANT THIS ATTENTION: PROMOTIONS BEST PRACTICES
It’s a topic that’s been addressed before, but something that’s a continual struggle in today’s segmented market: How do you get the attention your station needs? What are three promotions tactics to rely on? Is there something else to try for earned media? Come discuss your promotions efforts and learn some tips to more tightly target your approach. Producer: Tiffany Verkler, AETN; Presenter: Teri Sullivan, WKNO

BOP-G….WHAT IS IT? CAN IT HELP YOU?
BOP-G is public television’s Best Operating Practices Group. Learn what the group does and what it is working on next. Find out how the group develops and adopts a best practice, and then documents and distributes it. Learn how you can become a member of BOP-G and bring the benefits of best practices to your station.  Producer: Russ Abernathy, WKNO

DEBATES TO TWEET OR TALK: WHO IS BEING SERVED?

Election 2012:  What is the new role of public media in the election process? What are the new trends and strategies we need to consider? Does the audience want the live debate or TWEETs and who are were serving?  Here is a chance to look at the strategies and trends from last election, discuss editorial integrity, viable formats, public discourse and then dive into how to prepare for 2012’s elections. Bring your station’s plans to share.  
Producers:       Kerry Feduk and Tom Posey, SC ETV; Presenters: TBD

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION IN THE NEW FINANCIAL REALITY
Stations across the country are responding to shrinking revenues in creative ways, including coordinating their back office and development operations, sharing technical infrastructure and collaborating on content creation.  Join CPB senior vice president Mark Erstling, Bob Daino, president and CEO of WCNY/Syracuse, and Michal Heiplik, Project Director of the Contributor Development Partnership, as they explore practical ways to reduce your cost of operations while you increase your presence in the community.  Producer: Alison White, CPB; Presenters: Bob Daino, WCNY; Mark Erstling, CPB; Michael Heiplik, WGBH

LOCAL UNDERWRITING FOR PBS LEARNINGMEDIA
PBS LearningMedia is a robust and flexible next generation digital media platform with purpose built content from local stations and public media partners. In this session you will learn how your station can become a content contributor and add to the wealth of resources available only through PBS LearningMedia. You’ll also get a first look at the new features available in the custom version of this service. Finally, get ideas on how to position PBS LearningMedia Custom to local and state education agencies and underwriters.
Producer: Rachel Morrison, PBS  Presenters:  Howard Lurie and Ted Sicker WGBH; Tami Mount and Kim Smith, PBS

THE GRANT CENTER:  HELPING YOU FIND MORE MONEY
Need to find more money?  No time to pore over lists of grants, looking for the ones that actually fit?  Interested in non-traditional funding opportunities?  The Grant Center, a CPB-funded collaboration between DEI and the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) is here to help.  They find and research federal and foundation grant opportunities that are relevant to public media.  They also offer custom prospect research, webinars that connect you with grantmakers and inform you about emerging funding trends, advice on best practices, and more.  And the best part is it’s FREE!  Join the project leaders for a tour of the Grant Center and learn how it can help you and your station find more money.  Producers:  Meegan White, APTS;  Amie Miller, DEI  Presenters: Amie Miller, DEI; Lonna Thompson, APTS; Meegan White, APTS

GENERAL SESSION – THE VIEW FROM JASON’S DESK

  

BEYOND THE WASP: MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUR MINORITY AUDIENCE
See how your station can increase its audience, improve its positioning in the community, and build membership by adding independent minority productions to the schedule. This session includes a segment on how the National Minority Consortium helps fund stations and how to work directly with the creative talents of independent producers that represent African American, Native American, Latino, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders communities to support your ventures.
Producer: Shirley Sneve, National Minority Consortium  Presenters: Robby Fahey, ITVS’ LINCS Program; Leslie Fields-Cruz, NBPC; Cristina Hanson, NCME; Franz Joachim, KNME; Georgiana Lee, NAPT

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 
Faced with a common regional problem, how can multiple broadcasters and partners come together to successfully address the issue?  Glad you asked:  this session is created to answer that question and fill in all the many details involved in effective engagement. Producer/Presenter: Elissa Orlando, WXXI Public Broadcasting Council

CONNECTING CHILDREN TO OUT-OF-SCHOOL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Millions of children in America have limited or no access to high-quality out-of-school learning programs, reducing their chance to succeed and develop to their fullest potential.  To respond to this challenge, the CPB-PBS Ready To Learn initiative has partnered with a dynamic group of national organizations that are taking the lead in designing innovative resources and service models for summer learning, after-school services, and family engagement.  Anyone that would like to learn more about what it takes to reach low-income children through expanded learning opportunities is invited to attend this session and gain valuable insights from lead players at the Chicago Public Schools Virtual Pre-K Program, the National Summer Learning Association, and the Collaborative for Building After-School Systems. CPB and PBS will also provide an update on new interactive content and resources available for all stations.
Producers/Presenters: Pamela Johnson, CPB; David Lowenstein, PBS   Presenters: Emily Morgan, Collaborative for Building After-School Systems; Alicia Narvaez, Chicago Public Schools Virtual Pre-K; Sarah Pitcock, National Summer Learning Association

DIVERSITY IN YOUR STATION FUNDING:  HOW TO GET THERE AND HOW TO MEASURE RESULTS
Even in times like this, there are ways to maximize and diversify all areas of revenue:  corporate, foundations, major giving, planned giving, etc.  The secret is setting goals for all revenue areas and establishing those all-important metrics. Producers:       Kliff Kuehl and Mike Zeller, KCPT  Presenters:  Russell Peotter, WGBY, Anita Sims and Karen Button,  NETA Business Center

WHAT'S THIS THING CALLED 'STATION BENTO'?
To meet the needs of stations from the across the public broadcasting system, PBS is developing a tool for creating station web sites, managing online content, and leveraging data called Station Bento. The CPB funded project is designed to be a flexible solution to help stations spend less time trying to keep up with technology, and more time creating strong online content.  This session will give stations a first look at the tools and products being developed. Bring your laptop for hands on demonstrations and the opportunity to take advantage of new Bento tools after the conference. Producers: Amy Baroch and Marla Krueger, PBS

CPB POLICY UPDATE:  COLLABORATIONS AND COMPLIANCE
CPB vice president for station grants Kevin Martin will review the new CSG incentive policies and the application process for Mergers/Collaborations and Collaborative Bandwidth Optimization.  CPB deputy general counsel Bob Winteringham will discuss the Communications Act compliance requirements for CSG grantees and CPB’s certification guidelines.
Producers/Presenters:       Kevin Martin and Bob Winteringham, CPB

ONLINE PLATFORMS IN LOCAL PRODUCTIONS
This is a session for newbies and old school alike:  how to use the Internet and non-traditional technologies in broadcast and broadband production.  Producer/Presenter:  Mike Brower, KET; Presenters: Kathryn Scott, Vermont Public Television; Tim Zeko, WKAR

THE CHANGING FACE OF ADULT EDUCATION
Nearly 40 million adults across the country do not have a high school diploma or a GED® and countless others lack the skills to get a job or promotion or succeed in post-secondary education. Public television plays a critical role in decreasing that number by offering GED® instructional materials, professional development for adult education teachers and workforce development training opportunities. Come to this session to learn more about the upcoming changes on the GED® tests, partnerships between public television stations and state education agencies, and new online instructional opportunities for adult learners. Producer: Tonya Crum, KET  Presenters: Terry Dugas, NET Nebraska; Melvin Robinson, Mississippi Public Broadcasting

THE NON-PROFIT PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS: MARKET SMART WHILE MAINTAINING YOUR EDITORIAL VISION
In the spring of 2010, the Oscar®-nominated documentary Food, Inc. premiered on PBS’ POV (Point of View) series and jump-started a national conversation about food, where it comes from, and a more healthful, sustainable diet. POV partnered with viewers, bloggers, journalists, public television stations, community groups and eco-friendly companies to promote screenings, discussions and potluck parties. Using Food, Inc. as a case-study, POV staff will present tips for approaching corporates sponsors as a non-profit and for targeting partners that are influential in social media circles.  Producer: Eliza Licht, POV; Presenter: Theresa Riley, POV

POWERED BY PBS LEARNINGMEDIA: CREATING A LOCAL SERVICE AND LEVERAGING A NATIONAL BRAND

In this session you will hear from stations that are working in collaboration to offer a local service powered by PBS LearningMedia,  see the latest marketing and promotional campaigns and discuss how your station can leverage these efforts to make a big impact in your community. Producer: Rachel Morrison, PBS   Presenters: Howard Lurie, WGBH; Kim Smith, PBS

PRODUCTION SHOW & TELL (LIGHTNING ROUND)
Better than speed-dating and more fun than Angry Birds: come show your work to fellow production council members and see what they’re doing. Five-minute limit, so you know you won’t be bored.  Producer:  Chris Holmes, Alabama Public Television
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PUSHING THE CRISIS BUTTON: MAKING THE BEST OF A BAD SITUATION
What happens when …someone affiliated with your station makes an inappropriate remark? A fire or flood affects your community or even directly affects your station’s ability to operate?  Your computer system is hacked?  Whether you’re the target of a sting or trying to keep the people you serve safe from a disaster, crisis communication is critical. In this session you’ll hear examples of how other stations have dealt with critical issues, kept the story in line and been prepared for the next hit.  Producer: Jeanie Croope, WKAR   Presenters: Tom Fischer, Wyoming PBS; Alex Greenwood, Alexander G Communictions; Willetta Willis-Mcghee, Fleishman-Hilliard

TAPE, WHAT FORMAT, WHAT FILE, WHAT TYPE
Learn the correct way to submit content to NETA for national distribution. Get the truth about NRT, non-real-time, and what changes it will cause in the program submission process. Producer: Russ Abernathy, WKNO; Presenter: Greg Tillou, NETA
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WOMEN AND GIRLS LEAD: A NEW MODEL FOR PUBLIC MEDIA ENGAGEMENT
Women and Girls Lead offers a new model for public media to serve its mission in the 21st century. Women and Girls Lead amplifies the voices of women and girls acting as leaders and expands and engages a network of citizens and organizations to act locally and reach out globally. Using ITVS’s Community Cinema and Community Classroom programs as models, this interactive session will provide you with a framework to develop a sustainable localized campaign that takes advantage of existing resources, builds an engaged network of community partners, expands audience and creates ongoing opportunities for impact.  Producer: Duong-Chi Do, ITVS    Presenter: Jennifer MacArthur, NCME