Opening Reception - Presentation of the Inaugural One Shared World International Outreach Award

Meet and greet with your colleagues and be a part of the presentation of the inaugural AWRT One Shared World International Outreach Award. 

8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Conference Begins - Welcome Remarks 

8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Opening Keynote Speaker - Breaking into the Boy's Club: My Path in Journalism by Helen Thomas

Commonly referred to as "The First Lady of the Press," former White House Bureau Chief Helen Thomas is a trailblazer, breaking through barriers for women reporters while covering every President since John F. Kennedy. For 57 years, Thomas also served as White House correspondent for United Press International. At 86, she’s still covering the story today as a syndicated columnist for Hearst Newspapers. 

Thomas will share her story of breaking down barriers for female journalists in Washington, DC and tell us how she thinks women are faring today in the communications industry. With more than five decades of experience covering the White House, her inspiring & entertaining words are sure to remind us how far we have come and how far we need to go. And, there’s the special opportunity to turn the tables on her when you get the chance to ask the legendary Helen Thomas a question and then reply, “Thank you, Ms. Thomas.” 

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

General Session - Paying it Forward – Pearls of Wisdom from Past Presidents of AWRT

Panel participants include: Sallie Forman, President, Forman & Associates; Jan Kiley, Co-owner, Research Survey Service, Inc.; Nancy Logan, Media Consultant; Sandra Dorsey Rice, Vice President, Eastern Division, Emma L. Bowen Foundation; Diane Sutter, President & CEO, ShootingStar Broadcasting; Melodie Virtue, Owner, Garvey Schubert Barer.

Moderator: Chickie Bucco, President, Katz Direct Marketing

Our power panel of former AWRT national presidents will reflect back on the mentors and experiences that helped shape them to become leaders within AWRT and the electronic media. Panelists will share their personal pathways that helped them achieve professional successes; as well as the downside of strong leadership and how to avoid pitfalls along the journey.

Goals: In this session you will learn

• Leadership techniques to help position you to reach your own professional goals;

• How to make time within your day to build on your existing leadership skills; and

• Answers to your questions from these industry icons during a frank Q&A opportunity.

Break
 

General Session - A Conversation with the FCC 

Moderator: Henry Rivera, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP

Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Robert McDowell (confirmed)
With the change in Congressional leadership, Washington politics is more dynamic than ever, and so is the FCC. With two seasoned Commissioners working with two relative newcomers, there’s never been a more interesting time to familiarize yourself with the FCC Commissioners. They will discuss the regulatory hot buttons for 2007 and how they will affect you personally and professionally.

Luncheon Honoring the Trustees of the Foundation of AWRT; 2007 AWRT Board of Directors Installation ceremony; AWRT Achievement Award Presentation

AWRT selects Franklin D. Schurz, Jr. as the 2006 AWRT Achievement Award Honoree

Panel participants include: Glen Dickson, Technology Columnist, Broadcasting & Cable; Kerri Hanlon, Chief Marketing Officer,  WHYY-TV/Philadelphia; and Bonnie Press, President, Katz Clear Channel Advantage. 

Moderator: Pierre Bouvard, President, Sales and Marketing, Arbitron

VCAST, VoIP, MP3, iPOD, PPM…are you wondering what’s next in high-tech toys and technologies? Perhaps you’re even a bit fearful about what’s next and what it means to you. You’re not alone. Join some of today’s leading technology gurus as they predict how the emergence of new technologies may affect you, your sales team and your company’s bottom line.

Goals: You will learn

• How current technologies can have near-term and downstream effects on your profitability;

• Innovative ways to diversify your sales revenue streams; and

• How to adapt your thinking to begin embracing what’s ahead on the high-tech frontier. 

Break
 

General Session - Leading from the Frontline - From the Situation Room to the Boardroom 

Speakers: Courtney Lynch and Angie Morgan, LeadStar, LLC

Like many of us, you are probably not the leader you want to be. Drawing on their years as Marine Corps officers and successful private consultants, Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch will share the secrets they have learned to become powerful leaders.  

Goals: In this session you will learn

• How to improve your decision making skills; 

• Ways to better manage your life rather than allowing your life to control you; and

• How to effectively take on any challenge that comes your way without a sense of dread or fear.

AWRT chapter leaders will participate in roundtable discussions. Share your triumphs and challenges as chapter leaders during this interactive program. Roundtables to include: Board Leadership/Succession, Finance and Treasury, Membership/ Mentorship, Programming; and Communications/Brand Development.  

Power Breakfast, BELL Awards Ceremony & Presentation of the Outstanding Broadcast Female Engineer 2007 

Power Breakfast: 
How to be an Effective Advocate…Getting Your Voice Heard
We all know the catch phrase, “the sum is greater than the parts” and in no one place is this truer than in the halls of Congress. During this Power Breakfast, a legislative expert will address the import of a targeted message and the strength in the solidarity you can demonstrate around your message. This session will coincide with the debut of The 2007 AWRT Advocacy Handbook, outlining AWRT’s public policy platform as well as providing the tools to better navigate the national and local legislature. This session will be led by Carol Wilner, Assistant Vice President, External Affairs, AT&T.

Goals: In this session you will learn

• How to pre-schedule meetings with lawmakers;

• Ways to combine resources and forces to accomplish more with less; 

• Advocacy tips that can be used outside of AWRT; and

• The current statistics from Free Press Research Director Derek Turner from the Free Press Report-Out of the Picture.
  

BELL Awards Ceremony
Come celebrate the triumphs of AWRT's 30+ chapters with the annual Bringing Excellence to the Local Level (BELL) Awards. Click here to view a list of this year's winners. 

Outstanding Broadcast Female Engineer 2007 
Co-presented by AWRT and Chriss Scherer, President, Society of Broadcast Engineers. Click here to learn about this year's recipient.  

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.