The Meeting Built for Small and Mid-Sized Newspaper Owners
Family-owned and independently operated newspapers are essential to the communities they serve—and are the backbone of local journalism.
But running these operations comes with a unique set of challenges: limited resources, succession planning, market pressure, and the constant need to innovate.
That’s why America’s Newspapers created the Family Owners Regional Roundtable—a focused, peer-driven gathering built for owner-operators and key leaders in small and mid-sized markets.
But running these operations comes with a unique set of challenges: limited resources, succession planning, market pressure, and the constant need to innovate.
That’s why America’s Newspapers created the Family Owners Regional Roundtable—a focused, peer-driven gathering built for owner-operators and key leaders in small and mid-sized markets.
Registration rates for the entire Family Owners Regional Roundtable are only $50 per person, including the Family Owners dinner on Thursday night. This meeting is open to local newspaper organizations. This low rate is made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of the SNPA Foundation. |
Actionable, Peer-Driven, Accessible
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What makes the Family Owners meetings different is they are built to deliver immediate results, but also help you plan for the future. It’s a hands-on environment where owner-operators and key leaders share real-world solutions and exchange ideas in a highly interactive setting.
This Roundtable is designed for owners, publishers, and senior leaders in small to mid-sized markets. Sessions are tactical and idea-driven, with a focus on operations, audience growth, revenue generation, and peer exchange.
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Who should attend:
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AGENDA:
Thursday, February 26
6:00 pm: Family Owners Dinner
Start the meeting with the always popular family owners dinner—a chance to connect and engage with your peers
Friday, February 27
A full day designed for family owners and their leadership teams
This program brings together owners and operators for practical solutions, peer insights, and candid conversations. Sessions focus on the challenges unique to family-owned companies and the strategies that drive sustainable growth.
Morning Sessions:
Afternoon Breakout Tracks
Tracks are specifically designed for family owners and senior-level operators to address critical issues, share experiences, and collaborate in a confidential environment.
Thursday, February 26
6:00 pm: Family Owners Dinner
Start the meeting with the always popular family owners dinner—a chance to connect and engage with your peers
Friday, February 27
A full day designed for family owners and their leadership teams
This program brings together owners and operators for practical solutions, peer insights, and candid conversations. Sessions focus on the challenges unique to family-owned companies and the strategies that drive sustainable growth.
Morning Sessions:
- 8:00 am: Breakfast & Networking:
Start the day connecting with peers who know the unique opportunities and challenges of family ownership.
- Welcome & Opening Remarks
An overview of what’s ahead and why this conversation matters now more than ever.
- Succession Planning: Navigating the Transition from Family Ownership: John DeAugustine, Publisher and Owner of the Daily Gazette, shares a practical, firsthand look at the ownership transition from the Lind family. He’ll walk through the steps required to make the change, the challenges that surfaced along the way, and how the organization managed its standing in the community during the transition. John will also discuss how the Daily Gazette is expanding its local portfolio and positioning the business for long-term stability and growth now that the handoff is completed.
- Family-Owned Spotlight: The Pilot Small Market. Big Moves: David Woronoff, Publisher of The Pilot in Southern Pines, NC, shares how a small-market, family-owned newspaper operates with big-market thinking. This session looks at how The Pilot approaches product development, builds niche products to diversify revenue, and spots market opportunities others miss. David will also break down the structures and workflows that allow a lean team to get more done—without burning out limited staff.
- What’s Your Paper Worth? John Cribb of Cribb & Associates provides a fresh look at valuations in today’s shifting market and examples to show how positioning and performance influence long-term value.
- Public Notice and Advocacy Update: Interactive discussion on what's happening with legislation impacting local newspapers, most notably public notices, and what actions publishers need to be taking now.
- Lunch and Discussion: Where's the industry headed?
Afternoon Breakout Tracks
Tracks are specifically designed for family owners and senior-level operators to address critical issues, share experiences, and collaborate in a confidential environment.
- Track 1: Family Owners Discussion
- Succession, Structure & Strategy
Ownership transitions, succession planning, and aligning family values with business goals—tough conversations every family enterprise faces. - Tough Topics
A straight talk session on navigating political pressures, handling emploee issues, and managing community perception as a family-run business.
- Succession, Structure & Strategy
- Track 2: Operators & Leadership Team
- Operational Innovation
From centralized services to alternative revenue streams, talent retention to print frequency changes—explore what’s working (and what isn’t) in operational strategy, revenue and audience development
- Operational Innovation
- Revenue Idea Exchange and Audience Growth Roundtable: Bring at least one idea of something that's working in your market that everyone should implement.
- Closing Comments and Adjourn: We'll adjourn by 4:00 pm
The Location: Marriott Jacksonville Downtown
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Located in the heart of the River City, Marriott Jacksonville Downtown welcomes you with newly renovated guest rooms and sweeping views of the St. Johns River. Stay steps from the city’s leading cultural, business, and sports venues—including EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, Vystar Ballpark, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, and the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Relax poolside with skyline views, enjoy elevated dining at Juliette’s, or sip a craft cocktail at J Bar. With flexible event venues and a prime downtown location, Marriott Jacksonville Downtown offers a refreshed take on comfort, connection, and style
To make your hotel reservations call 800-228-9290 and reference America's Newspapers or visit this link. Marriott Jacksonville Downtown 245 Water Street Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
If you have questions, or need additional information, reach out to us at [email protected]