Creating conferences has been an annual focus for Barrett Media since 2017. What started with a small group of sports programmers inside the Audacy Chicago building in 2018 has grown to a theater-style show uniting hundreds of professionals each year across the media industry. I’m proud of our growth but I never want the show to get stale. It has to remain fresh, exciting, informative, and important enough to attend. Otherwise, there’s no reason to do it.
Remaining interesting though requires rethinking the content, retooling sessions, changing speakers, and sometimes even changing the venue. We’ve run two shows per year since 2023 and making them work takes a lot of time and effort. After our 2025 events in Chicago and NYC and our 10-year anniversary party (Barrett Bash), I knew we needed to start writing a new chapter.
So that’s what we’re going to do in 2026.
Our Purpose and Goal
The brand’s mission is to educate, celebrate, unite, and challenge the media business. We try to put those words into action when we gather the industry at our shows. We are not backed by a large corporation so everything we do for this event is out of our own pocket. Fortunately, we have great support from partners who share our love and passion for the media industry. Without them, doing this would be difficult. We are grateful for every company who takes the ride with us.
Though media folks compete, they also have a lot in common. Access to information and accomplished people helps others learn, connect, and hopefully become more successful. In some cases, it even opens doors to career advancement. If in the process we can reinforce Barrett Media’s value and make a positive impression on partners and attendees, then we’ve done our job.
Most professionals go to events hoping to see their friends, business partners, and others they wish to build relationships with. But no company in 2025-2026 is footing the bill for you to hang out at the bar or mingle in the hallway. There has to be a professional benefit for attending. That means we have to deliver exceptional speakers, quality information and attractive presentations. It’s why I obsess over every detail from what appears on the screen to what’s displayed in the hallway. Perfection is an unrealistic expectation, but I don’t have it in me to not continue chasing it.
Freshening Up
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re making some changes to keep things fresh. First, the 2026 show will specifically focus on issues of importance to the Audio industry. We have tried for years to tackle everything for everyone and because the multiplatform universe has exploded, it’s made it easier to cross over into other lanes. I love that and plan to do more of it, but we must be laser focused on what matters to most inside the room. We’ve had internal conversations about creating future events around video, social, sales, etc., and that may be something we explore down the line. If we do, those will have a different focus. Until then, I want to super-serve those connected and committed to the Audio business. Podcasting is very much a part of that, just like radio.
Since 2023 we have run two separate conferences, one for sports media, and one for news media. We’ve had great attendance on Day-1, but Day-2 tends to get lighter. To expect executives, programmers, and other media pros to spend two-full days in a theater when business issues linger is a tall order. So rather than stretch out the show and ask folks to do what’s difficult, we’re going to prioritize the best stuff and focus on delivering one great day of content for each area of the industry.
Mark Your Calendars – June 30-July 2, 2026
After months of meetings, site visits, and weighing our options, I’m excited to announce the Barrett Media Audio Summit is coming to the SVA Theatre on West 23rd Street in New York City. The dates of the show are Tuesday June 30th, Wednesday July 1st, and Thursday July 2nd. Information about the conference will be updated on BarrettMedia.com. Just click the Summit tab up top. We’ve shut down the individual conference websites since it’s much easier to keep everything in one place, our main website.
Next year’s show will start with a full-day of news media sessions followed by an After Party on Tuesday June 30th. Wednesday July 1st will feature a full-day of sports media, followed by an After Party. We then cap it off on Thursday July 2nd with our very first Music Radio conference, and another After Party. This makes it easier for format pros to get in and out. If they prefer to stick around for multiple days to learn new information and meet new people, that’s an option too.
We know that 2025 has been an up and down year for many financially. We want it to be an easy decision to join us at our show. So to help, we’re lowering ticket prices to make attending more affordable. Folks will be able to buy a 1-Day Pass for $199.99, a 2-Day Pass for $324.99 or a 3-Day Pass for $399.99. Tickets go on-sale Monday December 15th. A special holiday sale will run December 15th thru December 31st. Tickets during those 16 days will cost $174.99, $299.99, and $374.99. This is the lowest they will be leading up to the conference.
I want to thank Premiere Networks for continuing to support our conferences. With music now included, awards ceremonies are planned for all three-days. They will close out each day of the show. Be advised that the Barrett Media Audio Summit is strictly for media industry professionals. The general public is not eligible to attend. However, we do welcome students to join us who are looking to work in the broadcasting business.
What Comes Next
A newsletter email blast will go out today to our database at 12pm ET. It will contain information about our speaker submission process. Though you may send in a request to speak, please understand that we can not accommodate all requests. It may also take a bit for us to follow up. We’re not going to rush decisions.
Each day’s event will feature 10 sessions and the Premiere Networks Awards ceremony. Those interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities can reach Stephanie Eads at Stephanie@BarrettMedia.com. She can share what’s available and pass along our conference sponsorship deck.
If you haven’t attended one of our shows before, I hope you’ll consider it in 2026. I’d encourage you to ask someone else who has attended. I think most would tell you it’s worth your time. You can also visit the Barrett Media YouTube page to see video recaps of prior shows.
Putting these events together is hard. There’s a reason shows like this were less available when I was coming up. It’s a year-long process that involves scouting venues and hotels, selling sponsorships, booking speakers, finding and editing content, and creating presentations. We have to do that while simultaneously consulting, making sales, publishing daily content and newsletters, creating Top 20’s, hiring staff, managing payroll and collections, social media scheduling, building digital shows, etc..
How we manage to pull it off I don’t know, but we love this business. It’s why we sacrifice so much to do this. Showcasing the industry in strong fashion while tackling important issues is needed. We all want to be part of a business that continues to prosper. The best way to do that is by examining issues and identifying solutions with the best and brightest.
The focus shifts now to researching the right topics, securing partnerships, and lining up a stage full of talented and informed speakers. We’re excited to unite the industry again, and welcome our music radio friends to the show. The only bad part, now I have to get to work!
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
