Country Radio Seminar 2024 has unveiled the year’s five central themes and the first round of panels. The announcement also included two new events: one focused on production, social media, and podcasting, and the other on inclusion within the Country genre. This year’s five themes are AI, branding, industry growth, diversity, and the art of “Balling of a Budget.”
The first major panel, “AI: Work Smarter, Not Harder,” moderated by Charlie Maxx, will encourage attendees to embrace AI’s potential to enhance efficiency in their work. “Personal Branding: It’s Not Ego, It’s Branding,” moderated by Jennie Smythe of Girilla Marketing, will teach attendees about extending their influence beyond traditional roles, featuring On Air Influencers with a strong personal brand.
SEVENS Radio Network’s Monta Vaden will moderate “Industry Growth: Unapologetically Unemployed,” which will delve into the often-unspoken aspects of leaving the industry. It will also cover the development of transferable skills and strategies for re-entering the radio world.
“Balling On A Budget: One Man Band,” hosted by KUZZ PD Brent Michaels, will teach tried and true radio lessons: how to run everything from promotions to partnership management with limited resources. Similarly, “Balling On A Budget: Howdy Partners,” led by Country’s Radio Coach and Radio Ink columnist John Shomby, will focus on maximizing partnerships across the industry, highlighting the importance of collaboration for brand expansion.
CRS 2024 also introduces Workshop Alley, a space for immersive learning experiences covering production, social media, and podcasting. Additionally, the new Diversity Matters Breakfast: Y’all Means All, moderated by Mia McNeal of the CMA, aims to promote diversity and inclusion within country radio.
Returning for CRS 2024, scheduled from February 28 to March 1, are more than 20 educational panels, the “Digital Music Summit,” networking opportunities, label luncheons with performances, Acoustic Alley, and Pop-Up Showcase Performances for emerging talents.
