Ian of syndicated radio show Free Talk Live reports that attendance was down at this years R and R convention In Washington DC:
Attendance at R&R’s Talk Radio Seminar (TRS) was down this year.
Indeed, as I made the drive from New Hampshire to DC, I was considering making this my last TRS. The TRS is beneficial, as all conventions are, in allowing me to meet many of you I only know from my phone calls. After this year, I think I will focus on TALKERS Magazine’s far more industry/business focused “New Media Seminar” and perhaps try NTS Aircheck’s convention. In case you’re curious as to the reasons I’m discontinuing attending the Talk Radio Seminar, I shall enumerate them:
-Many of their breakfast and lunch speakers continue to be politicians, talk show hosts, and other politicos and media personalities who spend the supermajority of their speech talking politics as opposed to the business of talk radio. If I’m attending a talk radio convention, I don’t want to hear a discussion of politics.
This has always been my primary critique of the Talk Radio Seminar.
I agree with Ian here. It spreads the terrible idea that talk hosts should be hired based on political views and not broadcasting ability.
-It’s held in Washington, DC. I just feel tainted when I’m that close to the federal government people. Gross. While every other year it’s held in the much prettier Los Angeles, that’s a little far to travel to hear the types of speeches I described above.
-Attendance was down this year, possibly due to the Bob Grant situation.
I opted out this year for this very reason. Bob Grant did not deserve to have his Lifetime Achievement award yanked in the name of “diversity”. It was a real slap to a host that contributed greatly to the landscape of radio. Agreeing or disagreeing with his political views should be a moot point when addressing his legendary career.
-The budget was cut, resulting in the loss of both late-night parties and the removal of food from the Friday evening event. (Or, I may be misremembering and there never was food there in past years.)
-Even the “goodie bag” was dramatically lacking. Of course, most of it ends up in the trash can, but it usually at least comes with a pen.
This year, it had the requisite pad of paper for notetaking, but no pen! Call me a nitpicker…
This says to me, that sponsorship was down. No one wanted to throw cash into the outfit that shafted Bob Grant. Remember you pay a nice premium to get your material in the “goodie bag”.
The folks at R&R are a nice group of people, but their event just doesn’t hold up to the competition. See you at TALKERS’ New Media Seminar in June!
Yes, the Talkers event is much better, even if they do have the “talk radio rumble” pitting the “left” vs. the “right”. Now I’m nitpicking….
When you’re ready for Free Talk Live, we’ll be here for you live six nights a week Mon – Sat 7-10p ET. The show is free, preemptible, we require no makegoods, and we’re flexible. Take as much as 18 hours per week to as little as one hour. Whatever works best for your station is what we want. Don’t forget about our Program Director’s website at http://pd.freetalklive.com . That’s where you’ll find the latest show archives, promos, our clock and more.
Tags: Bob Grant, Free Talk Live, Radio and Records, Talk Seminar, Talkers Magazine
March 17, 2008 at 12:43 pm |
At least with the “Talk Radio Rumble”, you know exactly what you’re getting. Plus, perhaps one of these days TALKERS will put me up on that stage. Then it will be left & right versus me.
March 18, 2008 at 9:36 am |
I work for a syndicator of content, and the R and R convention was totally DEAD! Very low attendance and turnout. It was actually embarrassing for r and r.