Finances, lack of interest prompt NPR to scrap Public Radio Conference
Originally published by Current, Feb. 10, 2003
This year's Public Radio Conference will be the last, NPR announced last week.
In a letter to the system, NPR acknowledged that the popularity of annual conferences with narrower agendas diminished the need for the comprehensive conference, which dates back to 1971. For some, conferences held by the Development Exchange, the Public Radio Program Directors Association and other groups have eclipsed the PRC in importance. PRC attendance is now at about 60 percent of its peak of 1,200 in the early '90s.
NPR also took financial pressures into account. The network estimated that public radio spends $2 million a year in connection with the event. NPR itself spends "hundreds of thousands of dollars" more than it makes from the event, network execs said.
When consulted on the issue, Public Radio In Mid America, a Midwest station association, told NPR to cancel even this year's conference, May 14-18 in New Orleans. But Stern and Rehm said many participants and exhibitors are already planning to attend, and NPR can't afford to scrap the event.
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To Current's home page |
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Earlier news: Current commentary questions whether NPR should continue to run PRC. |
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Outside link: Meanwhile, NPR tries to attract attendees for its May 2003 event. |
Web page posted Feb.
13, 2003
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