New Highlights Include Streamlined Agenda and Return of Artist/Attendee Reception
(Nashville, TN – November 16, 2009) Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. has released additional details of their newly redesigned agenda for next year’s Country Radio Seminar 41, to be held Feb. 24-26, 2010, at the Convention Center in downtown Nashville, Tenn.
One of the biggest changes is the revised scheduling of panels, which now allows registrants to attend more events without missing conflicting agenda activities. The new lineup ensures that no more than three panels are held simultaneously during the three-day seminar.
Additionally, the designation of market-specific panels has been eliminated. The focus of all CRS 41 activities has been reassessed and updated to appeal to all music industry attendees, regardless of market size or location. The single day Sales panels have been redistributed throughout the three days of the seminar as well.
“We have worked hard to implement some fundamental changes to CRS that we hope will lay the groundwork for continued improvements in the future,” says CRB Agenda Chair John Paul. “We have listened to the feedback and suggestions we’ve received on how to improve CRS, and it is our goal to make sure Country Radio Seminar offers the most relevant and useful information possible to our attendees so that it can be used immediately to their benefit.”
The Artist/Attendee Welcome Reception and the Consumer Focus Group are two events returning to CRS 41 that have not been presented at the seminar in recent years.
“The Artist/Attendee reception is an event that we are excited to bring back to Country Radio Seminar for the first time in quite a few years. We feel like this is a great opportunity for artists to mix with the radio professionals at CRS in a relaxed, informal environment where everyone gets a chance to just hang out and get away from the ‘business’ part of the seminar for a while,” says CRB President Becky Brenner.
The focus group will include panelists of all ages from a variety of regional Country radio markets, marking the first time a live focus group has been held at Country Radio Seminar since CRS 35.
A day-by-day breakdown of the 22 panels and other CRS 41 agenda items follows.
Wednesday, Feb. 24:
CRS 41 officially begins on Wednesday with the Keynote Address, delivered this year by financial authority Dave Ramsey. The Humanitarian Awards Presentation, UMG’s Lunch and Showcase Performance, the opening of the exhibition hall, songwriter showcase KCRS Live!, and the return of the Artist/Attendee Welcome Reception are all featured non-panel agenda items on Wednesday. The ACM sponsored Music City Jam™ closes the evening with a performance from superstar Taylor Swift.
Wednesday Panels: Normal People: From the Mouths of the Consumer; Label Partnership: How to Achieve the Results You Want for Your Station; Workplace 911 (featuring Bob Rosner).
Thursday, Feb. 25:
Thursday’s agenda features a number of panels previously identified as “Track” panels. One of the day’s highlights is the CMA research presentation, which provides results from the CMA’s recently completed Prime Prospects Study and Annual Tracking Study. A follow-up workshop is held after lunch, offering in-depth analysis of the study’s findings. Sony Music Entertainment sponsors Thursday’s luncheon and performance, and WCRS Live! is sponsored by BMI. Thursday Panels: So You Think You Know How to do an Artist Interview? You’re Wrong!; How to Increase Station Revenue and Your Commission; The Great Playlist Debate: Can Passive be Passionate?; 360 Experience: Grab and Hold Those Listeners and Eyeballs From AM to PM; Automotive Advertising: A Car Dealer Tells All; CMA Research Presentation; CMA Music Research – How You Can Use It.
Friday, Feb. 26:
Friday kicks off with the Power Breakfast (formerly the Manager’s Breakfast), followed by a full day of panels. An additional Hot Topic panel will be announced in January. Capitol sponsors Friday’s luncheon and performance, and the afternoon Town Hall session wraps up the seminar’s schedule of panels. The popular New Faces of Country Music® show and dinner officially closes CRS 41. Performers for this event will be announced in early December. Friday Panels: Zero Promotional Budget = Doing More with Nothing, PPM Affects Every Facet of our Industry and This Means You; Small Market Programming Solutions for When the Chips are Down; The Gloves are Off: Arbitron vs. Nielsen; Let’s Hear if for the Brands and Industry Trends; Size Doesn’t Matter: Don’t Let Your Market or Label Size Determine Your Success Online; Radio Stars: Talent Coaching and Development for all Day-Parts; 50 Great Ideas in 50 Minutes.
A detailed schedule and descriptions of CRS 41’s panels and confirmed panelists can be viewed at the Country Radio Broadcasters website: www.CRB.org. CRB, Inc. reserves the right to modify or change the agenda as speakers and panelists are added or removed. Advance Rate registration for $549 is currently available online at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at
615-327-4487. Follow CRS 41 on Facebook, or on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/OfficialCRS.
About CRB:
The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1969 to bring radio broadcasters from around the world together with the Country Music Industry to ensure vitality and promote growth in the Country Radio format. More information may be obtained at:
www.CRB.org or at the CRB office at 615-327-4487.
About CRS:
The Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas in the country music industry. Country Radio Seminar is a registered trademark of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.
