The Conclave, one of radio’s longest-running regional conferences, will hold its 45th and final gathering September 15th through 17th at the Crowne Plaza Aire MSP Airport – Mall of America. For decades, the event has drawn broadcasters from across the country to trade stories, honor industry veterans, and reconnect with old friends. This year, however, organizers are closing the book for good.
Bob Goff, chair of The Conclave and general manager of Heart of Wisconsin Media, remembers exactly how his relationship with the event began.
“My very first one was in 1989 — that was the first Conclave that I attended, and I ended up working in the Capitol Records promotion suite by accident because they couldn’t find any engineers who could put together a soundboard,” Goff said. He met Paul Shaffer and Billy Squier that night, and the experience shaped his connection to the event for the next three and a half decades.
Attendance wasn’t always guaranteed, though. COVID forced organizers to cancel back-to-back Conclaves, and for a while, it looked like the run might end quietly. Instead, broadcasters kept asking Goff when the next one would happen, and that persistence eventually convinced him it deserved a proper conclusion rather than a fade-out.
Why Goff Pushed for One Last Gathering
Goff didn’t need much convincing to stay involved once he got his start. “Getting involved in the Conclave was kind of a no-brainer,” Goff said. “It was mainly Midwest radio people that you could meet, pick your peers, and everything else.” Over time, the event expanded well beyond the Midwest, pulling in speakers and attendees from across the industry and turning a regional meetup into something closer to a national reunion.
That growth is part of why Goff felt an obligation to close things out the right way.
“A couple of things — we owed Herb Hoppe, from the St. Cloud, St. Anthony area, his Rockwell Award, which was richly deserved and which we missed giving to him,” Goff said.
Beyond settling that debt, he wanted one final chance to bring everyone back together. Consequently, organizers set a goal of maximizing turnout, and it’s already paying off with the guest list continuing to grow by the day.
Nostalgia runs through much of what excites Goff about the final agenda.
“I’m obviously a huge fan of M*A*S*H* and Frazier, so I’m looking forward to Ken Levine for sure, because he was a writer for both shows,” Goff said.
What to Expect and Why It’s Worth the Trip
Beyond the nostalgia, Goff frames the final Conclave as a practical opportunity for working broadcasters. Registration remains affordable, and the value proposition hasn’t changed even as the event winds down.
“Even at $199, it’s still the cheapest few days you’ll have with some of your peers, a better rate than anybody has had out there,” Goff said.
Logistics have been kept simple for anyone still deciding whether to attend. Hotel rooms are priced at $102 per night, and a free shuttle runs to and from the airport, so travel shouldn’t be a barrier.
“Just come to Minneapolis,” Goff said. “Remember the good times and bring in some new ones. That’s all I’m asking. Bring along your ideas.”
Whether attendees are chasing one last dose of radio history or simply want to reconnect with colleagues before the event disappears for good, Goff’s message is consistent: show up, share stories, and help send The Conclave off the way it deserves.
After 45 years, he’s hoping the final edition feels less like an ending and more like a celebration — and possibly, he admits, the spark for whatever comes next. To register to attend the event, click here.
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.
