Todd Mundt

The Public Radio Program Directors (PRPD) conference begins Wednesday, September 26, in Minneapolis. This will be the 20th annual conference, if you count 2001, which never really got started because of 9/11.

I think these conferences get better every year, and while I should use this opportunity to disclose that I’m on the board of the organization, I’m on the board because I think it’s a great organization that puts on a good conference.

When you have several hundred program directors, managers, hosts, producers, and new media types bumping into each other, it’s certain to be a good time. But those who actually attend the sessions will gain a lot from the more structured part of the conference, too.

Here are the sessions on my Must Attend list:

Wednesday

News/Talk Format Station Group: KUOW’s Jeff Hansen will moderate discussions focusing on morning news and midday talk, particularly how talk shows have fared in the past 3-4 years of more stable public radio listening.

Opening Reception at Minnesota Public Radio: if you haven’t seen the headquarters yet, then don’t miss this opportunity. If you’ve already had the grand tour, there’s nothing wrong with gawking a second time. The food will be good.

Thursday

Keynote: Robert Stephens, founder of the Geek Squad: not sure what to expect, but keynote speakers who live outside the public radio bubble usually have a unique perspective on our issues.

Classical Music for 21st Century Audiences: this is the Big Kahuna, the first major study of classical music listening in more than 20 years. It’s been under wraps all summer, and this session will be the official unveiling. As a participating station in this study, I can guarantee classical programmers won’t want to miss this one. There are some surprising and interesting conclusions, as well as the opportunity to see exactly how listeners responded to different sounds and textures of classical music. There’s a followup session, too. I expect there will be discussions and arguments for a long time to come - and more research to test these findings, I hope!

Friday

Morning Edition Grad School: two dozen stations have gone through this intensive analysis of how they present the local version of the most important program we air. I have yet to talk to a disappointed participant. You’ll walk away from this session wanting to sign up your station for the next workshop, but even if you don’t, there should be some great stuff you can glean from the session.

Programming Instead of Programs: who would pass up a chance to hear Torey Malatia talk?! He’ll discuss the programming of Chicago Public Radio’s new :Vocalo service. Jeff Hansen of KUOW will talk about how he’s using program elements to create a different sound on KUOW and KXOT. Something must be working - KUOW is the number one station, commercial or public, in Seattle.

Saturday

Benediction: Bill Kling, President and CEO, American Public Media: Bill Kling is one of the most important figures in modern public broadcasting. When he speaks, it pays to listen.

Oh, I won’t skip the BBC lunch. Not because of the food; the BBC multimedia presentation is usually stunning. Also, the CPB CEO, Patricia Harrison, is speaking on Friday.

There are many other great sessions, but these are among the standouts. See you there!