Board Blog: CBI Hosts Annual Convention in Emerald City

Lisa Marshall, CBI Vice President

More than 400 attendees from 28 states converged at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel for the seventh annual College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI) National Student Electronic Media Convention (NSEMC) Oct. 25-27, 2018.

Convention sessions were led by industry professionals, students, faculty and staff members, and attorneys. Topic choices were expansive allowing a broad range of choices for participants—from radio, television, film, sports, and news to legal topics and content creation. Students had opportunities to have air checks and résumés reviewed, tour a local KOMO television live satellite truck, and participate in KEXP radio and KOMO radio and television facility tours.

Dan Magden from KOMO TV, Seattle demonstrates the features of the ABC-affiliate remote truck. The remote truck was available for attendees to tour Wednesday and Thursday.

Pre-convention workshops about podcasting, audio storytelling, and MusicMaster scheduling were offered Wednesday, Oct. 24. The Radio Survivor podcast team attended the convention and recorded an episode of their weekly production as part of the session offerings. CBI President John Morris and Student Representative Avery Martin joined the episode discussing college radio’s place in the current media landscape.

Moderator Mark Maben hosted the keynote presentation with panelists Chris Berry and Travis Mayfield. Keynote guests were local and national media professionals.

The Saturday keynote presentation featured a panel of local and national professionals about the future of media. Panelists included: Chris Berry—iHeartMedia Senior Vice President News, Talk and Sports, Erica Farber—Radio Advertising Bureau President and CEO, Travis Mayfield—Fox Seattle Q13 News This Morning Anchor and Host, and Grant McCallum—Barsuk RecordsDirector of Marketing. CBI Development Director and WSOU General Manager Mark Maben moderated the keynote panel.

Attendees could interact with NSEMC exhibitors during the convention. Thirty-four sponsors supported this year’s conference.

CBI debuted the inaugural NSEMC Visual Film Festival. The festival provided an opportunity to recognize and exhibit student work in the areas of film and video production. The weekend culminated with the National Student Production Awards with finalists in 27 categories, emceed by Taryn Daly from KISW 99.9 The Rock of Seattle. A complete list of winners, along with clips of entries, is available on the CBI website.

This was CBI’s second trip to the Emerald City to host the NSEMC. Join us Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch for next year’s convention.