The final schedule is now available for The Last Conclave, set for September 15-17, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota. The three-day gathering will bring broadcasters, programmers, talent, managers and industry leaders together one final time for education, conversation and a celebration of nearly 50 years of Conclave history.
The complete schedule is posted at thelastconclave.com. Among the featured sessions:
Ask Me Almost Anything – Bob Leighton, Dennis Corbett, Dan Cash, Dave Ryan, Joe Knapp and Harv Blain open Wednesday’s program with a candid, wide-ranging discussion spanning ownership, law, digital strategy, programming and talent.
The Future of Talent – Valerie Geller and Brian Wright examine how stations can discover, coach, develop and retain compelling personalities in a changing media landscape.
10 Things We Learned Over 50 Years of Radio – Fred and Paul Jacobs distill five decades of research, strategy, technology and audience behavior into ten essential lessons for radio’s future.
The Final Rockwell Awards Luncheon – Herb Hoppe, Mark Bolke, Dave “Chachi” Denes, Joe Knapp, Lori Lewis and Dan Seeman will receive the final Rockwell Awards for their lasting contributions to radio and The Conclave.
Top 25 Radio Promotions of All Time – Paige Nienaber counts down 25 memorable promotions that created excitement, strengthened station brands and made radio matter locally.
Social Media Do’s and Don’ts – Jodi Koontz, Baby Haze and Jenny Luttenberger share practical guidance for stronger messaging, smarter engagement and greater impact online.The Future of Programming – Sean Ross leads Greg Strassell, Jeff McCarthy, Joel Denver and Chad Taylor in a forward-looking conversation about strategy, audience development and the evolving programmer’s role.
Keynote Address: Ken Levine – The award-winning DJ, play-by-play announcer, writer and producer—whose credits include M*A*S*H, Cheers and Frasier—brings stories and observations from a remarkable career across radio, television, sports and comedy.
Syndicated Programming: What Works and What Doesn’t – Mason, Tony Lorino, T.J., John Garabedian and Robby Bridges explore the creative, operational and affiliate realities behind building syndicated shows that connect across markets.
How KDWB Made Legends: Then, Now, and Next! – Kelly “K3” Doherty, Rich Davis, Angi Taylor, Scotty Davis, Falen and JJ Kincaid lead an all-star KDWB retrospective connecting the station’s celebrated past with radio’s next generation of talent.
The Last Conclave begins Tuesday, September 15, with registration and a welcome party. Wednesday concludes with The Last Cocktail Party, and the conference closes Thursday at noon with a farewell luncheon. Times and participants may change without notice.
Registration and Details: Registration is $199. The complete schedule, registration information and hotel details are available at thelastconclave.com.
