The 2026
Family Owners Conference.
The annual gathering for ownership groups, board members, and executive leaders of family-owned newspaper companies. A space for the conversations no one else in the industry can have.
Sponsorships Available — Connect With Family Owners
Reach the ownership groups and executive leaders who shape the future of family-owned newspapers. Contact Patty Slusher for sponsorship details and opportunities.
Built for the Realities of Family Ownership.
Running a family-owned newspaper comes with challenges — and opportunities — that no other ownership model shares. This conference is built specifically for the people navigating them.
Across two days in Washington, D.C., owners, board members, and executive leadership teams meet for candid, peer-to-peer conversation about the issues that don't get aired anywhere else: succession, governance, valuation, family dynamics, and the long view of what comes next.
Who Should Attend
If your role touches family ownership, governance, or the long-term direction of a family-owned newspaper company, this conference is for you.
The Conversations You Can't Have Anywhere Else.
The Family Owners Conference is designed around the relationships that move family-run businesses forward — peer to peer, generation to generation, and leader to leader.
Peer-to-Peer Connection
Spend two days with the only people who truly understand the weight and the privilege of family ownership. Real conversations between owners and operators, not panel-and-Q&A.
Candid & Confidential
The room is built for the kind of straight talk that family-owned companies need: the things you can't say in front of competitors, vendors, or shareholders. What's discussed here, stays here.
Practical & Actionable
Sessions are built around real-world tools, not theory. Walk away with insights and approaches you can put to work the day you get home — whether you're preparing the next generation or actively scaling.
Focus Areas
The agenda is shaped by the issues family owners are actually navigating right now. Specific sessions will be announced as the program is finalized.
At a Glance
Times and program elements are tentative and subject to change. The Family Owners Conference runs ahead of the Senior Leadership Conference, which begins Monday evening with a joint opening reception.
All times Eastern. Schedule subject to change.
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. Walking to dinner, catching the train to Capitol Hill, or grabbing a rideshare to Reagan National — you're connected to all of it.
- 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)
Everything You Need to Know.
A coordinated week of meetings combining four programs. Here's how it works, who should attend, and what to expect.
01Why are the two organizations holding a joint meeting?
The News Media Alliance Fly-In and Support Journalism Awards Dinner and the America's Newspapers Senior Leadership Conference were originally scheduled as separate events in Washington, D.C., in September. Recognizing the opportunity to bring together leaders from across the news media industry, the organizations decided to coordinate their meetings to encourage greater collaboration, stronger networking opportunities, and broader industry engagement.
02What type of meeting is this?
This collaborative event combines four programs into one coordinated week of meetings and events:
- The News Media Alliance Fly-In — legislative meetings with members of Congress and policymakers on issues affecting the news media industry.
- The News Media Alliance Support Journalism Awards Dinner — recognizing policymakers who have demonstrated leadership in support of journalism and local news.
- The America's Newspapers Family Owners Meeting — programming specifically designed for family-owned news organizations and ownership leadership.
- The America's Newspapers Senior Leadership Conference — executive-level programming focused on business strategy, operations, and industry trends.
03Who should attend?
The event is designed for publishers, owners, senior executives, and other leadership-level professionals from news media organizations.
04Can non-members attend?
Attendance is limited to members of either the News/Media Alliance or America's Newspapers. Interested in joining or attending the Fly-In? Please contact the NMA membership team at [email protected] or America's Newspapers at [email protected].
05When should attendees plan to arrive and depart?
The Family Owners Meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, and concludes following lunch on Monday.
The News Media Alliance Support Journalism Awards Dinner will be held Monday evening, September 28.
The News Media Alliance Fly-In takes place Tuesday, September 29.
The America's Newspapers Senior Leadership Conference runs concurrently with portions of the Fly-In on Tuesday, September 29, and continues Wednesday morning, September 30, concluding at noon.
Attendees should plan travel based on the specific programs they intend to attend.
06Should I participate in the Fly-In or attend the Senior Leadership Conference on Tuesday?
Meeting directly with members of Congress and their staff is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate the importance of local journalism and advocate for the industry. Attendees are strongly encouraged to participate in the Fly-In if possible.
However, attendees who prefer not to participate in legislative meetings — or who have only one or two scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill — are welcome to attend their meetings and then return to participate in the Senior Leadership Conference programming Tuesday afternoon.
07If I register for one event, can I attend the other events?
Separate registrations are required for the Fly-In, the Family Owners Meeting, and the Senior Leadership Conference.
Registration for both the Fly-In and the Senior Leadership Conference includes access to the Monday evening reception and Support Journalism Awards Dinner.
The News Media Alliance is managing registration for the Fly-In, while America's Newspapers is managing registration for the Family Owners Meeting and Senior Leadership Conference.
08What is the recommended dress code?
Business attire is recommended for all meetings, legislative visits, receptions, and dinners.
09What topics will be covered during the conference?
Programming will focus on key issues shaping the news media industry, including artificial intelligence, business operations, industry innovation, public policy, and the evolving regulatory and legislative environment.
Additional speakers and a detailed agenda will be announced in advance of the meeting.
10What areas of the business will the meeting address?
Conference programming will primarily focus on the business and operational side of the news media industry, including leadership strategy, revenue and sustainability, technology, legal and regulatory developments, and industry advocacy.
11Will attendees hear directly from policymakers or regulators?
Yes. Wednesday's programming is expected to include presentations and discussions with policymakers and congressional leaders focused on issues impacting journalism and local news.
12What networking opportunities will be available?
The event includes several opportunities for networking and informal peer engagement, including:
- A Family Owners reception and dinner on Monday evening
- The Support Journalism Awards reception and dinner on Monday evening for Fly-In and Senior Leadership Conference attendees
- A networking reception Tuesday evening
- Informal after-hours gatherings Monday and Tuesday from 9 – 10:30 pm
13Where will the meetings be held?
All conference events will take place at the Washington Marriott Georgetown, 1221 22nd Street NW, Washington, D.C., except for legislative meetings, which will occur on Capitol Hill.
The closest airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, approximately 15 minutes from the hotel. Washington Dulles International Airport is also a convenient option, located approximately 45 minutes away depending on traffic.
14Are sponsorship opportunities available?
Yes. Organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Patty Slusher at [email protected].
Who Can Register
The Family Owners Conference is open to America's Newspapers members who meet the attendance qualifications: ownership groups, board members, senior executives, and family members involved in governance or long-term planning at family-owned newspaper companies.
News/Media Alliance Members: NMA members are welcome to register for the Family Owners Conference at member rates, provided they meet the meeting's attendance qualifications.
Tell Us You're Interested.
Formal registration opens soon. Let us know you're interested below and we'll be in touch with full program details, registration links, and travel information as they're finalized.
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