New England Newspaper Conference

This year’s Fall Publishers’ Conference was a historic joint venture between the New England Newspaper and Press Association and the New York Press Association, held September 19-21 in Providence, RI, and it didn’t disappoint!

The event was filled with dynamic presentations from industry leaders and some of the slide decks are available for download below, next to the session name on the agenda. There were many networking opportunities and memorable group dinners at Gracie’s and Hemenway’s. We also celebrated excellence in journalism by announcing our most prestigious awards, including:

  • New England Newspaper of the Year
  • Publick Occurrences
  • Allan B. Rogers Editorial Award
  • New England First Amendment Award
  • Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award
  • The Cornerstone Award
  • DOWNLOAD AWARDS PRESENTATION

We are looking forward to seeing you at next year’s conference!

See you in 2025!

AGENDA

Thursday, September 19:

1:00 – 3:00 PM
NENPA Board of Directors Meeting

3:30 —5:00 PM
Getting to Know Each Other/Great Idea Exchange

This opening session is designed for attendees to connect, share ideas, and set the tone for the conference. It’s an opportunity to introduce yourself, exchange valuable insights, and start building relationships that will be beneficial throughout the event. Moderated by Past NYPA President and Co-Publisher, Gavin Menu, Express News Group.

6:00 PM
Cocktails and Dinner at Gracie’s
A relaxed evening with cocktails and dinner provides a chance to socialize and network more informally at Gracie’s.

Friday, September 20:

8:00—8:45 AM
Breakfast

9:00 —10:15 AM
Begin With WE – Download Slide Deck

Presented by Kyle McDowell
Kyle McDowell, a former Fortune 10 executive turned bestselling author, will share his “10 WEs” principles—a framework designed to create a culture of excellence within organizations. McDowell’s approach focuses on fostering strong team bonds, driving better results, and developing authentic leaders. This session will delve into how these principles can transform team dynamics and align organizations toward common goals.

10:30 — 11:45 AM
AI in Local Journalism – Download Slide Deck

Presented by Nicco Mele
Nicco Mele, a seasoned media and technology expert, will discuss the implications of AI on local journalism. The session will cover both the potential opportunities and challenges that AI presents, including the impact it may have on news delivery, audience engagement, and the future of local newsrooms.

12:00 — 1:00 PM
Lunch

Take a break to enjoy lunch and continue conversations with fellow attendees.

1:15 — 2:45 PM
Newsletter Panel – Download Slide Deck

Featuring Nicco Mele & Ayasha Choudhury
Newsletters are powerful tools for audience engagement. This panel will explore best practices for creating effective newsletters, from concept to delivery. The speakers will share their extensive experience in digital media and engagement, providing insights on how to increase loyalty and interaction through well-curated and customized content.

3:00 — 4:30 PM
Civil Discourse – Download Slide Deck

Presented by Eve Pearlman
Eve Pearlman, co-founder of Spaceship, will lead a session on dialogue journalism—a method that aims to reduce polarization and foster constructive conversations. The discussion will focus on how community newspapers can facilitate civil discourse and build stronger communities through balanced and thoughtful reporting.

6:00 PM
Cocktail Reception & Dinner at Hemenway’s

Enjoy an evening of good food and drinks at Hemenway’s, providing another chance to network with peers and discuss the day’s sessions in a relaxed atmosphere.

Saturday, September 21:

8:00 — 8:45 AM
Breakfast

Start the day with breakfast and a chance to catch up with colleagues before the morning sessions.

9:00 —10:15 AM
Local Media 3.0 – Download Slide Deck

Presented by Guy Tasaka
This session will offer insights into key strategies that publishers can use to significantly boost digital revenues. Drawing on their experience with over 500 publishers across Europe, Guy Tasaka and Christian Scherbel will share best practices for creating a digital media hub that serves as a central point for local communities. They will discuss the importance of leveraging first-party data, aligning reader and advertiser priorities, and implementing sustainable revenue models.

10:30 — 11:45 AM
Adapting to Rapidly Evolving Consumer Preferences – Download Slide Deck

Presented by Jeremy Gilbert
Journalism is at a pivotal moment with rapidly evolving consumer preferences and disruptive new technologies. By studying the behavior of young news consumers today we can accurately forecast the preferences of most consumers in 2030. What we learn about their behaviors can also help guide experiments with new systems and tools like Generative Artificial Intelligence. These experiments show us how news organizations can and must adapt in how they gather, process and disseminate news and information.

12:00 — 2:00 PM
Lunch – NENPA Awards – Download the Awards presentation

We’ll celebrate excellence in journalism with the announcement of our most prestigious awards, including the New England Newspaper of the Year, Publick Occurrences, Allan B. Rogers Editorial Award, New England First Amendment Award, AP Sevellon Brown New England Journalist of the Year, Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award, and The Cornerstone Award.

2:15 — 3:30 PM
Five Future-Proof Skills for Media Leaders – Download Slide Deck

Presented by Laura Krantz McNeill
Participants will discover why setting a community-centric strategy is crucial in an era of media distrust and news avoidance. You will learn how to take the first step in strategy setting by creating a news product value proposition.

3:45 — 5:00 PM
Mastering the Shift: Growing Audiences Amid Social Traffic Slumps and the GenAI Surge – Register NENPA/NYPA The AQ Audience Development Training Series
Presented by Allison Mezzafonte and Kerry Twibell
In an era where shifting social algorithms make audience acquisition feel like a game of ‘whack-a-mole,’ and GenAI reshapes the search landscape, publishers are facing new and complex challenges. This session will delve into cutting-edge strategies to not just survive but thrive in this rapidly changing environment, helping you unlock new pathways to sustainable audience growth.

5:30 PM
WaterFire – Cocktails, Food Trucks, and Fun

Wrap up the conference with an evening of cocktails, food trucks, and entertainment at WaterFire, located at 4 North Main Street. This event offers a fun and informal setting to enjoy the company of fellow attendees.

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