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Rosenworcel Scheduled for NAB Show, But Has COVID

LeGeyt is scheduled to host her in a fireside chat format

Update on April 21: The chairwoman’s office confirmed to Radio World that she will appear in-person at the convention.

For the first time as chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission, Jessica Rosenworcel is scheduled to appear at the spring NAB Show. Whether she will be able to keep that appointment in person is not clear however.

Jessica Rosenworcel speaking at a prior NAB Show. (Photo by Jim Peck)

On the same day that the NAB announced that she was scheduled to appear at the convention in two weeks, the chairwoman tweeted that she is home with COVID-19. Her press secretary told Radio World it is too soon to say whether she will be able to attend.

Rosenworcel has been a speaker at broadcast conventions before, having joined the commission in 2012. However, if she can make it to the convention it would be her first NAB Show appearance as chairwoman.  She was named the FCC’s acting chair in January 2021 and, in December, she officially took the role, making her the first woman to hold the post.

Rosenworcel, a Democrat, presides over a commission that is split 2–2 politically. The nomination of Gigi Sohn that would give the party the usual majority under a Democratic administration is held up in the Senate.

[For More on the Convention See Our NAB Show News Page]

National Association of Broadcasters President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt is scheduled to participate in a fireside chat with Rosenworcel on Monday April 25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, immediately after the show welcome session. This will also be LeGeyt’s first NAB Show since succeeding Gordon Smith.

“In today’s hyper-competitive media landscape, a regulatory framework that allows local radio and television stations to evolve, adapt and better serve their audiences is of vital importance,” said LeGeyt in an NAB press release. 

Before coming to the FCC, Rosenworcel was senior communications counsel to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. She also had worked at the FCC for the Wireline Competition Bureau and as a senior aide to then-Commissioner Michael Copps.

Contacted for comment, NAB spokeswoman Ann Marie Cumming said, “We wish the chairwoman a speedy recovery. Our primary concern is her health.”

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