Beyond the Blank Page: How AI Makes Media Companies More Valuable, Not Less
Speaker: Scott McIntosh of Treehouse Digital
Beyond the Blank Page: How AI Makes Media Companies More Valuable, Not Less: As low-quality AI content overwhelms the web, audiences are looking harder than ever for sources they trust. This hands-on session shows how publishers can use AI to streamline workflows, speed up production and preserve institutional knowledge, while strengthening the very qualities that make credible media outlets indispensable.
Leading the Unleadable
Speaker: Ryan Dohrn of Brain Swell Media
Explore strategies for managing challenging team members and navigating difficult situations as a leader. This session covers practical tools to shift mindset, build influence, and get buy-in from even the most resistant people.
NO WEBINAR — February 16
Newsletters on Steroids
Speaker: Bruce Pinchbeck of Letterhead
Newsletters can operate as first-class products that power multiple revenue streams rather than functioning solely as distribution or promotion. Learn how modern newsletter strategy can support subscriptions, ecommerce, sponsorships, lead generation, and broader audience development when approached with product thinking. Re-evaluate newsletter portfolios in light of new tooling, automation, and monetization models.
From One Story to Many Assets: Practical AI Workflows for City & Regional Publishers
Speaker: Vatrice Chestnut of Affinity Media
City and regional teams are being asked to do more with the same (or smaller) staff. In this session, we’ll start with one real story and walk through how to turn it into multiple assets across web, email, and social using AI—while still protecting your voice, standards, and relationship with your readers. I’ll use a simple AI Strategist–Manager–Teacher–Technician framework to keep things grounded in practical, repeatable workflows that small teams can actually use. As a value add, Vatrice will provide a custom CRMA-branded AI agent trained on example member content. Attendees will be able to try it live and see how it can help them take one story and quickly spin out multiple assets that still feel like “them”.
Habits of Superstar Sales Managers
Speaker: Ryan Dohrn of Brain Swell Media
Deep dive into the day-to-day behaviors and routines that set top-performing sales managers apart. From effective 1:1s and coaching techniques to time management and goal setting, learn the habits that drive team success.
Showing Up With Strategy — How to Build a Strong, Sustainable Social Presence
Speaker: Meg Asby of PDX Parent
This session introduces the foundations of effective social media. We’ll cover the three reasons why people come to social platforms in the first place, how to understand the culture of the app, and how to define a niche that feels authentic and achievable. We’ll also dig into the essentials of short-form video — including hooks, pacing, captions/SEO, and authenticity — with examples that illustrate the difference between ineffective and compelling content. Attendees will leave with a clear sense of how to show up consistently and create content that resonates.
The Subscription Growth Playbook: Proven Tactics That Work
Speaker: Natalie Sorge of NPS
This session will cover the high-level strategies for converting readers into paying subscribers and sustaining long-term loyalty.
More sessions will be posted soon. Stay tuned!
COPYRIGHT 2026 CITY AND REGIONAL MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.