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Proclaim 16: Show Staples, With Religion

Annual NRB convention is billed as must-attend for Christian communicators

The National Religious Broadcasters Association will convene its annual conference in Nashville this month. The marquee event targeting Christian communicators has a schedule that reflects the shifting media landscape, with increasing emphases on digital and social media, as well as the politics of the 2016 presidential election.

Photo courtesy of the National Religious Broadcasters According to the NRB, the event’s new name — “Proclaim 16” — emerged from a “strengthened mission focused on advancing biblical truth, promoting media excellence and defending free speech.” Additionally, the change helps to differentiate the association from its convention, as only one of many NRB activities.

The event will include show staples such as an exposition floor; programming, policy and technology sessions; and networking opportunities. It coincides with NRB board and business meetings and a Radio Advisory Council and Standing Committee Meeting.

Eight attendee tracks are offered for those who wish to focus on a particular industry at the Christian media convention. Attendees can choose among the Radio, TV, Church Media, International, Film & Entertainment Summit and Donor Development Summits. There is also a special Pastors Track.

RADIO SUMMIT
The Radio Summit will run Feb. 24–26 and will cover relevant topics targeting managers, programmers and talent.

Candidates Ted Cruz (left) and Ben Carson have confirmed participation. Sample sessions focus on “The Science and Art of Compelling Content,” “Getting Started With a Radio Program and/or Podcast,” “Building Loyalty to Radio Brands through Social Media” and “The Future of Radio: Innovation and Staying Relevant.”

Some 90 presenters have been announced for the four-day conference. Those of particular interest to radio broadcasters include Bott Radio Network Director of Operations Ben Fowler, Cumulus Media Vice President of Social Media Lori Lewis, Emmis Communications Chairman/CEO/founder Jeff Smulyan, WRMB(FM) Station Manager Dolores King-St. George, Moody Radio Director of Research and Learning Jennifer Epperson and Hibbard Group President/CEO Jack Hibbard.

Representatives from NextRadio will be on hand to explain their platform and how broadcasters can more utilize it.

IF YOU GO

Courtesy National Religious Broadcasters

What: Proclaim 16

Who: The organization National Religious Broadcasters sponsors this international Christian media convention.

When: Feb. 23–26

Where: Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville

How: www.nrbconvention.org

How much: Members $550, others $650, first-timers $350, day pass $275; rates increase $100 after Feb. 21

HIGHLIGHTS
The convention’s opening session will be held Feb. 23, 7 – 9 p.m. in the Delta A Ballroom and will feature speakers including NRB President and CEO Dr. Jerry A. Johnson; Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church Pastor H.B. Charles; LightWorkers Media President and actress Roma Downey; and Blount Communications Group President and NRB Chairman of the Board Bill Blount.

The evening of Feb. 24 will feature a public worship service with Pastor Rick Warren and singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith in the Delta A Ballroom. Museum of the Bible founder and Chairman Steve Green will give an address.

Also of note are the public policy and FCC sessions, both of which will be held Feb. 25, in the Delta A Ballroom and Canal AB, respectively.

EXHIBITOR SAMPLING

This is a sampling of the exhibit floor; for the full list see www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/nrbx16/exdir/.

American TeleCenters Inc. 201Australia Presents / Christian Media Australia K1Barbizon Lighting Company 247BGS 817Blubrry Podcasting 231Broadcast Electronics 813Broadcast SoftwareInternational 835BSW 546bCanadian ReligiousBroadcasters Association 241Christian FM Radio Networks 912Comrex Corp. 546Cruz Creative Media 340De Wolfe Music USA Inc.655Dielectric LLC 930ENCO Systems Inc. 916Faith Radio 508Family Research Council 306Fellowship of European Broadcasters 244FirstCom Music 659FreeConferenceCall.com750HisAir.net 240International BroadcastingNetwork 840Ka You Communications 847Kingdom 802LeSEA Broadcasting Corp. 628Liberty Counsel 251LibsynPro 214MegaVoice 710Myers 851NPR Satellite Services 704OMB America 328Oracle.com 841Orbital Media Networks Inc. 451QNAP Inc. 334RCS 843RF Specialties Group 810SCMS 716Shively Labs 908Spreaker Inc. 706Stream Station Inc. 712Syes America LLC 822Technical Innovation 917The ADS Group K4TWR 310USA Radio Networks 230Voice Broadcasting Corp. 913Wowza Media Systems 934ZenoRadio 910

Attendees who plan ahead can have lunch with Warren Feb. 24, and the show closes out Feb. 26 with a black tie optional gala dinner and the Special Service Awards. Both events require tickets.

Prior to the convention, on Feb. 22, the organization will host an NRB Digital Media Summit, which will focus on best practices for social media and online communication platforms. Scheduled highlights in this track include speakers Facebook Global Politics and Government Outreach Director Katie Harbath and “Do Over” author Jon Acuff.

DEBATE
The selection of convention sessions also reflects NRB policy positions. Titles include “Why the Jihadists Want to Take Away Our Freedom of Speech — And How Our Government and the Left are Helping Them Do It,” “Losing the Freedom to Believe: Redefining Marriage,” “Christian Genocide” and “Israel: Hope in a Region of Crisis.”

A session with communications attorneys helps broadcasters track activities at the FCC and federal government including AM revitalization, FM translators, political broadcasting rules and public files.

The convention is a week prior to the Tennessee primary elections and will feature two live candidate forums. Final details will be announced closer to the show. 

Presidential hopefuls from both sides of the aisle have been invited to participate in Q&A sessions, hosted Feb. 23 and 24 from 1–3 p.m. According to NRB, candidates Sen. Ted Cruz and Dr. Ben Carson have been confirmed as participants. Salem Media Group will broadcast the forums.

A “Presidential Debate Watching Party” will view the GOP debate from Houston on the evening of Feb. 25.

SHOW FLOOR
Admission to the exhibit hall is free for registered attendees. Doors will open Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. The Proclaim Exposition ends Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.

Some 200 companies will have a presence on the floor, which will also host an interactive exhibit presented by event sponsor Museum of the Bible.

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