We are three and a half months away from hosting one of the media industry’s most important conferences. The 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit presented by Point to Point Marketing is coming to New York City June 30-July 2, 2026. This year’s show features one full-day of news media, one full-day of sports media, and for the first-time ever, one full-day of music radio. News runs on June 30th, Sports on July 1st, and Music on July 2nd. I am excited to bring it to life and hope you’ll make time to attend. Tickets are available here.
Prices are lower this year to incentivize more industry folks to join us in the room. We’ve also adjusted the length for each day so format folks can get in and out without missing most of the work week. We run this event to help the industry and we fund it ourselves. It only works though if industry people attend and media groups continue to support it. To learn which sponsorship opportunities remain available, email Stephanie Eads at Stephanie@BarrettMedia.com.
If you’ve attended one of our Summits or watched any of our video clips across social media, we put on a show. There are presentations, speakers, parties, production, backstage interviews, and many top decision makers in the room. Attendees come because we prioritize content and conversations that matter. We also provide a meeting point for industry friends to reunite and discuss future business. But as fun as networking is, we understand that time and resources are limited. The information and access has to be valuable for folks to justify attending.
If you do make time to join us, you’ll leave the room smarter, more connected, full of ideas, and armed with information to improve your brand, company or personal career. To help us do that, I’m excited to add six more talented professionals to our Music Summit on July 2nd. Each of these broadcasters has made a mark on their respective formats either on the air or behind the mic. We’re elated to have them sharing their insights and expertise with us in the big apple.
Meet The Programmers
Starting with the four programmers, it’s my pleasure to welcome Audacy’s VP of Country Tim Roberts and VP of Hot AC Steve Salhany to the Summit. Tim was recently voted the #1 Country Radio Programmer in Barrett Media’s Top 20 series. Steve came in #2 in the AC/Hot AC PD category. His morning show Karson & Kennedy landed the top spot in the AC/Hot AC category. Both have lengthy track records of success, deep knowledge and passion for our business. They will add a lot of insight and expertise to format conversations.
Next, I’m thrilled to welcome Cumulus Media’s VP of Classic Rock/Alternative James Kurdziel to the Summit. James has done a spectacular job guiding Q101 in Chicago and KQRS in Minneapolis, in addition to being a key resource to Cumulus’ rock brands. His knowledge of multiple formats and experience working with top talent will add another strong voice in the room.
We complete our programmer’s announcement with another big addition to the lineup. I’m pleased to have Hot 107.9 in Atlanta’s brand leader and the PD of Reach Media’s ‘The Morning Hustle’ Devin Steel joining us. The rap radio legend built his name in Memphis before heading to Atlanta to put his prints on the local Urban radio scene. Devin’s passion and format knowledge combined with his candor and love of the music and radio industry will help make format professionals sharper.
Meet the Talent
Featuring strong talent is a big part of our Summit’s too, and we’re thrilled to have Murphy, Sam and Jodi joining us. This trio not only has exceptional chemistry, they have a deep understanding of what’s required to build a business. They’ve self-syndicated their show, earning trust across multiple formats, and know that it takes more than just strong content to keep a business healthy.
Murphy, Sam and Jodi are going to host an awesome session titled ‘Act Like a Talent, Think Like an Owner‘. They will cover their approach to content, growing ratings and revenue, working with affiliates, and maintaining partnerships, while simultaneously managing daily workflow and staying connected to their audience. Attendees are going to enjoy what they bring to the stage.
Barter Opportunity
If you want to attend the show and hang on to your cash, there will be another option. Thanks to our friends at IMAR Entertainment, barter opportunities to attend the Summit are available. Click HERE or the banner below for details.
Still to Come
The next few months I will tirelessly work to assemble a star studded lineup featuring the best across music radio. I’m looking to add the industry’s best programmers, sharpest executives, and top talent on stage, and bring professionals from sales, management, programming, production, digital, advertising, voiceover, record labels and management companies into the room. People gain skills and education, and brands get stronger when access to knowledge, ideas and relationships are available. We will do our part to make sure the event is worthy of your time.
If you’ve reached out to express interest in speaking, I’m aware and I do appreciate the interest. I am not ruling out including you in the show nor am I trying to be rude by being non-committal. My immediate focus is on building sessions that focus on specific topics with certain people. Once I finalize those plans and have an idea of additional possibilities, I’ll reach out if there’s a fit. As we secure additional speakers, updates will be provided here on the website and inside our newsletters.
Content concentration on issues that matter to Rock, Country, Urban, CHR, and AC/Hot AC professionals is our top priority. We’ll also feature insights from some of the industry’s best talent, sharpest executives, and research/data to help brand leaders and performers maximize impact. In addition, a post-show after party will cap off what should be an exceptional conference.
This is going to be a fast-paced, action-packed, educational show. It’s our first venture into the music radio arena and we want to make it count. If we can deliver for Music what we have for Sports and News, we will do more of these shows. It simply comes down to making sure the first one hits all the right notes.
I hope you’ll make time to be there or support the show as a partner. Once again, tickets are available here or by clicking the banner above. I’ll see you in the big apple on July 2, 2026.
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