SMS 2025 Information – February 11-13th, 2025 Ottawa
Station Manager Summit (SMS2025) Update – January 20th, 2025 Ottawa
We are excited to have you join us for the Station Manager Summit (SMS) and related events in Ottawa, ON, from February 10th to 13th, 2025.
Below is an important update – Please read carefully and note the changes.
Schedule Overview
*All Times Eastern
| Date | Time | Location | Activity |
| Monday, Feb 10 | All Day | Ottawa, ON | Travel Day |
| 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Ottawa, ON – Meeting at Ottawa Embassy Hotel and Suites | Welcome Wander (Elgin or ByWard market) – call/text 613-447-2279 to find out where we are. 7pm Embassy lobby | |
| Tuesday, Feb 11 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | Ottawa, ON Ottawa Embassy Hotel and Suites | Station Manager Summit (SMS) |
| 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | West Park Bowling | Bowling (Separate registration) | |
| Wednesday, Feb 12 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | Ottawa, ON Ottawa Embassy Hotel and Suites | Station Manager Summit (SMS) |
| 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Ottawa, ONhttps://g.co/kgs/M12voZx https://maps.app.goo.gl/uuG7f69nckQGp5eAA | Skating at City Hall/Canal/Winterlude Ottawa 67’s Broadcast Experience | |
| Thursday, Feb 13 | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm | Ottawa, ON – TBA | World Radio Day Event with Farm Radio International |
| 5:00 pm Up to 8:00 pm | Ottawa, ON – TBA | Dinner TBA (Included in Registration) Museum of Nature | |
| Thursday, Feb 13 / Friday, Feb 14 | All Day | Ottawa, ON | Travel Day (We ask that you stay till approximately 2 pm on the 13th to help with our WRD Event) |
| Friday, Feb 14th | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Ottawa, ON Ottawa Embassy Hotel and Suites | Board of Directors Meeting *For NCRA/ANREC board/staff only |
SMS Schedule
Tuesday February 11th, 2025
| Time | Session | Info |
| 9:15 am | Breakfast | Included in registration |
| 10:00 am | Keynote/Welcome & Advertising | Stephen Sienko from Target Broadcast Sales |
| 11:00 am | We are so different, but also not | The Different Types of Stations |
| Noon | Lunch | Included in registration |
| 1 pm | Finance | Caucus Discussion with mini breakouts |
| 2:30 pm | Break | |
| 2:45 pm | Governance | Caucus Discussion with mini breakouts |
Wednesday February 12th, 2025
| Time | Session | Info |
| 9:15 am | Breakfast | Included in registration |
| 10:00 am | Lobbying & Advocacy Training | With CRFC Support |
| 11:00 am | Training & Education – The Path Forward for Community Radio & Beyond | Presentation of the NCRA’s SLDP |
| 11:30 am | Hot Seat | Need 3 People (Emmanuel +2) |
| 12:45 pm | Lunch | Included in registration |
| 1:45 pm | Code of Conduct | Discussion on the needs of the sector w Freya Zaltz |
| 2:15 pm | Break | |
| 2:30 pm | Operations | Caucus Discussion with mini breakouts |
Thursday February 13th, 2025
| Time | Session | Info |
| 11:00 am – 2:00 pm | World Radio Day Event | World Radio Day Event with Farm Radio International – Venue TBA |
| 5:00 pm | Final Social Event | Dinner TBA (Included in Registration) |
Session Details:
What’s the Deal with Advertising? with Stephen Sienko from Target Broadcast Sales
Join Stephen Sienko, President of Target Broadcast Sales (TBS), for a high-level look at national advertising. Stephen will also discuss how TBS places campaigns, how the audio advertising industry is changing, digital campaigns, and more. The Session includes a Q & A, CanAds outline and Federal Advertising Update.
We are so different, but also not – The Different Types of Stations
In this panel, the NCRA/ANREC’s Executive Director has invited four stations attending the SMS and will put them through a round of Q&A about different aspects of their station’s operations, philosophy and successes/challenges – to expand the attendee’s understanding about how we are all different and/ or the same as we prepare ourselves for the remainder of the conference.
Lobbying & Advocacy Training – With the CRFC
How do you talk to your MP/MPP or locally elected officials (including Campus). What should you be doing tied to programming or election coverage? How can you share your needs? These questions and more will be presented by the Community Radio Fund of Canada’s Alex Freeman as we discuss the federal and provincial changing landscape and what your station can do to make it a positive change.
Training & Education – The Path Forward for Community Radio & Beyond Presentation of the NCRA’s SLDP
The NCRA/ANREC presents its first look at the 2025-2030 Strategic Learning And Development Plan. This session will outline a new accreditation, expansion of its learning opportunities and how it aligns with the movement of community-based learning and needs.
Code of Conduct – Do we need one?
We already follow the CRTC Rules, is there a need for a mandatory sector-wide policy (we think so and will explain why)? What about Journalism? Are the next steps we propose the right ones? With NCRA/ANREC Regulatory Affairs Director Freya Zaltz
Hot Seat
#1 – CRFC’s review of programming with Emmanuel Sayer (CRFC)
What we heard, what is missing, what should we be doing about our RadioMetres Program.
#2 – Open – Sign Up
#3 – Open – Sign Up
*Sign up by letting us know you are interested in the form.
Virtual Participation
Is available for those who cannot attend in person. The sessions above will be available for hybrid participation. These sessions will be recorded, transcribed, summarized, and made available to everyone registered (in person or online).
World Radio Day
World Radio Day Celebrations have been moved from SJAM at Parliament Hill to another location (TBC), most likely Carleton University. The event will most likely happen from 11 am to 2 pm on February 14th, and there will be no “Hill Day” for lobbying.
We will, as a team, travel to the event via car share or OCTranspo. Further details will be announced closer to the event – we hope you can still participate in the celebrations. Lunch will be covered.
We hope you can participate in this event, including by
- Being interviewed on air, live
- Interviewing a guest on-air, Live (we will connect you with a guest, you will pre-arrange the questions and discussion)
- Volunteering to assist with the event (setup, take down, check-in etc)
*on-air interviews are subject to CKCU programming
Virtual Participation
Is available for those who cannot attend in person. The sessions above will be available for hybrid participation. These sessions will be recorded, transcribed, summarized, and made available to everyone registered (in person or online).
Registration
Register in person or online by completing the form here. Payment is required at the time of registration. There are a variety of registration options. You have the option to buy in-person tickets, which include all or some of the evening events or you can buy the ticket by itself. If you cannot attend after registering, or if you have any questions, please contact barry@ncra.ca to coordinate a credit or refund.
Join Us at NCRC43 in Nanaimo, BC – June 17-20, 2025!
We are excited to invite you to NCRC43, our annual national conference for campus and community radio stations, which will take place in Nanaimo, BC, from June 17 to 20, 2025! This is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow broadcasters, learn from industry experts, and celebrate
the community radio sector’s achievements.
Event Highlights:
- Location: Vancouver Island University (VIU), Nanaimo, BC.
- Key Dates:
- June 16 – Pre-conference !earshot Distro training and social event in Victoria, BC. (pm)
- June 17 – CFUV Tour (am), Welcome Party (pm)
- June 18-20 – NCRC43 sessions and workshops at VIU.
- June 20 – CRABO Awards Gala (pm)
Why Attend? NCRC43 will feature insightful workshops, station tours, and networking opportunities to help your station thrive. You will also have the chance to join the celebration of our sector’s successes at the Awards Gala.
New Website Launch: We are thrilled to announce that a brand-new conference website is being built to enhance your experience! The new platform will feature up-to-date event details, easy registration, and a user-friendly interface for managing your participation in the conference. Stay tuned for the website launch!
Streamlined Management for a Smooth Conference: To ensure a successful and well-organized conference, we have made some key management changes:
- Barry Rooke, Executive Director, will oversee logistics, including accommodation, transportation, and coordination of the Awards Gala.
- Eloisa, Communications Director, will lead the development of learning sessions, promotional materials, and manage the Awards process.
- Operations Director will handle sponsorships and funding to ensure financial success.
- CJS Events Coordinator will support on-site logistics during the week of the conference, managing last-minute arrangements and volunteers.
These improvements in management roles will ensure that the NCRC43 Conference and Awards Gala run smoothly and efficiently.
Register in early 2025, or sooner! Save the date and get ready for an unforgettable conference experience. More details, including registration, residence/hotel registration and the conference schedule, will be available soon on our new website. Early Bird Tickets start at $275 in-person or $100/online.
For questions or sponsorship inquiries, contact barry@ncra.ca
We look forward to seeing you in Nanaimo!
Note: Funding for underrepresented individuals to attend the NCRC provided by the Community Radio Fund of Canada will be included when NCRC registration is opened.
