Family Owners Conference Program
Two days of candid, peer-to-peer programming built for the owners, board members, and leadership teams of family-owned newspaper companies — succession, valuation, operations, and the long view of what comes next.
September 27
Sunday
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Succession Planning: Navigating Leadership, Legacy and the Future
Passing a family newspaper from one generation to the next is rarely straightforward. Every family faces different circumstances, personalities and business realities. This interactive discussion will explore the opportunities and challenges of succession planning — from preparing future leaders and managing family expectations to deciding whether to retain ownership, bring in outside leadership, or sell the business. Participants will share experiences and lessons learned while examining how to make decisions that serve both the family and the long-term health of the organization.
Always on the Clock: Protecting Family Leaders from Burnout
Recognizing, preventing, and recovering from burnout in family-owned businesses.
Break
How Ya' Doin'? The State of the State
A review of a recent survey of revenue trends, operational direction, and what people are thinking about the state of the industry.
Sunday Afternoon Breakout Tracks
The afternoon splits into dedicated tracks — candid discussion sessions for family owners, and a hands-on operational track for the leadership teams they bring with them.
Succession, Structure & Strategy
Community, Connection and Values
Facilitated by Kevin Hall / Georges Media Group
Family Owners Dinner at Chef Geoff’s
The always-popular signature gathering of the conference.
September 28
Monday
The Roadmap Study
The Local Media Roadmap Study asked readers what they want from a local newspaper and how far current coverage sits from that answer. A walk through the 65/35 content framework, the audiences with the most room to grow, and the practical steps newsrooms are using to close the gap between what they publish and what readers say they will show up for.
Break
Philanthropy as Strategy: Strengthening Your Community and Your Newspaper
P.J. Browning — President & Publisher, The Post and Courier
Valuations & M&A Updates
John Cribb — Director, Cribb & Associates
SLC After Hours
Georgetown Room, Lobby Level. An informal gathering for D.C. 2026 attendees.
All times Eastern. Program, sessions, and speakers are subject to change. The Senior Leadership Conference begins Monday evening with a joint opening reception and the Support Journalism Awards Dinner.
In the Middle of Everything
The Washington Marriott Georgetown sits in D.C.'s vibrant West End — between Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle, with Georgetown a short walk west and downtown a short walk east. You're minutes from the Kennedy Center, the White House, and Embassy Row, and steps from Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro for everything beyond.
- 0.3 miles to Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro
- Walking distance to Georgetown
- ~1 mile to the White House
- ~1 mile to the Kennedy Center
- ~2 miles to Capitol Hill / National Mall
- 5 miles to Reagan National (DCA)