2027 is shaping up to be a big year for Barrett Media. We’re preparing to produce more video. Making adjustments to our newsletters to better serve specific audiences. And the Top 20 in Radio Awards Show is being launched to recognize the industry’s best on Thursday, February 11, 2027 in Hollywood, CA. Now, today, we have another big announcement. Shout out to Dylan Barrett for the outstanding work on the video below.
I’m excited to share that the 2027 Barrett Media Summit will return to the SVA Theatre in New York City. The show will take place July 13-16, 2027. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 30, 2026. Interested speakers can submit requests to Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
Our 2026 Summit in New York City was our best event to date. The speakers were fantastic. Attendance was excellent. The agenda was strong. And sponsorship support was incredible. If you didn’t attend or have a chance to watch it on YouTube, go here.
When the show ended on July 2nd, I was certain the Summit would move to a new city in 2027. We asked attendees and partners for feedback on where to host the next show. Many offered the same input: “It has to be in NYC.” “Don’t leave NYC.” “Why would you move it away from New York?” For every note suggesting a new location, five asked us to stick with a successful formula. When I asked “Why NYC?” professionals cited the speakers, venue, access, hotels, restaurants and bars, and transportation.
Stephanie Eads and I listened. Because the response was so strong, we decided to run it back in 2027. Except this time, we’ve steered clear of the July 4th holiday. The week we chose is the MLB All Star Week, which means sports brands have little going on besides SEC Media Week. It also takes place 2-weeks after the midway point of the calendar year. That gives us the first six months of business to examine.
What to Expect
If you know how we execute our events, you know I don’t like doing the same thing. Speakers, topics, schedules, visuals, segment lengths, parties, etc. have to change. Otherwise, shows get stale. Routines can be positive in everyday life but in business, predictability sounds the alarm on complacency. I believe the Summit must be fresh, interesting, and topical. It must also prioritize content and business across numerous spaces with the people who know the issues best.
With that in mind, the Summit is expanding to four days. We’ll feature individual days for sports media, news media, music radio, and business/advertising. The business/advertising day is brand new. I plan to bring more advertising players into the room for important conversations. Over one full day, we’ll explore issues regarding audience research, results, budgets, technology, podcasting, measurement, revenue, investments, and more. That beats wedging those topics into other days and disrupting the flow.
We built this conference to be a meeting place for accomplished people to have real, honest, and substance-driven discussions. We run and fund it independently. Professionals come to better understand their business, where it’s going, and what they must do to remain valuable. Too often in our line of work, people view things through a single lens. They think only about their employer. The content they create. Their ratings or digital numbers. How they’re growing local and national advertising revenue. As a result, they become specialists in one or two key areas and only know one way forward.
However, there are many different spokes of a media company’s wheel. What worked in 1997, 2007, and 2017 might have been great for that time. But that doesn’t guarantee success in 2027. You can cling to the past or be part of the future. The best way to do that is to be in the room, absorb the information, expand your relationships, and apply what you learn. The more you know, and the quicker you adapt, the better off you’ll be.
Still to Come
The first group of speakers will be announced on Monday, November 30, 2026. We will also reveal our hotel partner that day. Similar to last year, attendees will have the option of purchasing a one-day, two-day or three-day pass. The business day will be a separate pass. For planning purposes, here is how the four days will lay out.
- Tuesday, July 13, 2027: Business
- Wednesday, July 14, 2027: News Media
- Thursday, July 15, 2027: Sports Media
- Friday, July 16, 2027: Music Radio
The Premiere Networks awards ceremonies will close out the sports, news and music shows once again. After parties will follow each night too to allow folks time to network, celebrate, eat and drink. In addition, another post-show musical performance is planned for the Music after party. Labels interested in pitching performers can inquire at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
Over thirty partners were involved in the 2026 Summit in NYC. The creation of the Summit, its expansion to four days, and the amount of people we hire to cover the business confirms our commitment to re-investing in it. If you run a company and wish to be involved, email Stephanie Eads at Stephanie@BarrettMedia.com. She can share details on sponsorship opportunities for the 2027 Summit.
The mission moving forward is to create the media industry’s blockbuster event of the summer. I appreciate that many attend the show and desire to speak at it. However, the right expertise on the right issues is critical to the event’s success. If you request to speak and I’m not able to include you, please understand that.
Now, it’s time to get to work and start building! Look for the next big announcement on Monday, November 30th.
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.
