Welcome to Western States Public Radio.

The Fall 2009 WSPR Conference was a great success!  Take a look at these photos!

Here are the:
      Minutes from the Annual Meeting, Nov. 5, 2009
      FY 2009 Financial Final Report
      FY 2010 Financial Report 7/1/09-11/3/09
      WSPR Membership FY10 to date

The Western State Public Radio Fall Conference 2009
November 3 (evening) to November 5, 2009 in Portland, Oregon.

See the complete agenda here.

WSPR CONFERENCE REGISTRATION:  Registration is $200 for WSPR members (spouses/significant others attending with a WSPR member may also register at the member rate); $250 for non-members (and their guests).  CLICK HERE for online registration.

CONFERENCE HOTEL:  WSPR will meet in the Heathman Hotel in Portland.  The WSPR Conference Rate is no longer available.  Call the hotel at 800-551-0011.  

You can get more information about the hotel here. 

PORTLAND ACTIVITIES:  Here is a handy guide for things to do in Portland, thanks to the Heathman Hotel.

AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION: there is a shuttle from the airport for $14 one way/$24 round trip.  Blue Star leaves the airport every 30 minutes and will stop at the Heathman.  Look here for more information.

Our thanks to the conference sponsors:
National Public Radio
Dow Lohnes, PLLC
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Public Radio Partners
PRX
Lewis/Kennedy Associates

What to expect at the conference.....

The WSPR Board believes that the time to invest in online media is now… before others gain a foothold on our public service mission and our public broadcasting financial model.

We need to recognize the strength we have to reach a loyal audience.  We can build our future from a very strong base – can you imagine what challenges start-ups face in marketing their products?  We have the advantage of being well-know already for our public service.  We can translate that reputation to our on-line services.

We are beginning to see a real interest across the system to exchange content with each other, at the WSPR Conference we are going to tell you how.  We have often heard Vivian Schiller say that with our great family of public radio stations, we are the envy of every media company in the U.S.  It is time to take advantage of our position and our reputation.

Therefore, this year, the WSPR Board is making the Internet and New Media the focus of our Conference.  Join us for some great discussion with few “pure” presentations.  It’s important that you come prepared to take an active part in the conference and not just be a passive listener.  This conference has been designed to include you in the conversation. 

On Wednesday morning, we will devote 3 ½ hours of discussion to: our status online today, our strategies for the future, the vision of NPR’s leadership, content delivery in this new media world, what are our goals and how will we judge success and what is the return on this investment.  Mark Fuerst, Kinsey Wilson and Jon Shwartz will lead what we believe will be a spirited discussion.

Other sessions that will challenge us to think about the future will include:  can newspapers become our partners with Steve Forrester from the Daily Astorian; legal challenges in this new media world with Meg Miller, Ernie Sanchez and John Crigler; how do we distribute new media with our partners at PRX and Content Depot; and what does the Northwest Public Affairs Network have to show us about regional sharing of content.

And, there’s even more, we will discuss how to we fund this future by examining our primary traditional funding sources: we’ll hear what Bruce Theriault will share about CPB’s vision for future funding; what opportunities for on-line and new media underwriting exist as viewed by Kirk Nelson of Public Radio Partners; and Mike Riksen will share with us his vision of this new administration and federal funding in this multi-media world. 

Additionally, there will be sessions about: internet music reporting requirements; what’s happening in traditional membership support; why my ratings are what they are with PPM; and the chance to discuss our own issues and accomplishments with our colleagues. 

Does it sound like a full and exciting agenda?  It is!  We hope to see you there.