The 2016 Wyoming Association of Broadcasters Convention takes place this week, June 17-18. To help describe what will go on at the two day event, Radio magazine’s Cameron Vigliano got in touch with Laura Grott, president of the WAB. �
Radio:Briefly, can you give an overview of what will go on during the two-day event?
Laura Grott:The WAB has done surveys over the past six years on the media habits of Wyomingites. The surveys have been conducted by Eastlan Survey, LLC. We are presenting the materials on Friday and then kicking off with an ice breaker. Saturday is filled with a panel discussion on “The Future of Radio,” along with a presentation by Nielsen on Return on Investment, which plays hand in hand with all of the research we have done over the past six years. We hold a legal panel talking about FCC issues, broadcast regulation and political rules.
This year, we [Wyoming] have an open seat in the US House, where nine Republicans are in the race. We are holding a forum for the Republican candidates.
We also have an ad agency, Warehouse Twenty One, doing a presentation on Media planning from an advertiser�s perspective. We are giving Rep. Cynthia Lummis the Kerm Kath Friend of Broadcasting Award for her support of broadcasters throughout her tenure in Congress. We also have our Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony.
Radio:In your opinion how important is the convention to broadcasters in Wyoming?�
Grott: For a small state like Wyoming and with smaller market broadcasters, this is a great opportunity to get together and get great information from an FCC attorney and talk about issues they are all facing. This year especially, with the declining oil, gas and coal revenue in Wyoming, all industries are going to take a hit financially. The marketing information we provide to our members is valuable in terms of turning that valuable data, which favors broadcast over other mediums, into sales!
We also have our awards program which recognizes all of the great work our broadcasters do throughout the year. It’s their moment to celebrate their hard work.
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We also induct a broadcaster into our Hall of Fame, which started in 2003. We are honoring a 23�year TV broadcaster this year, Bob Geha of Cheyenne. His aunt was the famous Helen Thomas who was the first woman in the press corp at the White House. She sat in the front row.
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The WAB Convention takes place Friday, June 17 through Saturday, June 18. For more information, visit�WAB�s website.
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