While the annual National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) conference has changed over the past 30 years (that’s how long I’ve been attending), one benefit has remained consistent . . .

It’s a great way to connect with people!

This conference is a phenomenal opportunity to meet other people who share my passion to reach people with the gospel through media. Nowhere else could you spend several days in a row with no distractions, just meeting new people and renewing old friendships. Each of us have gained new insights during the past year and this is the perfect opportunity to share and learn together.

Yes, the schedule is grueling! Planned meetings, listening to inspiring speakers, and impromptu meetings combine for several very long, tiring days. But I always leave energized and ready to tackle all the challenges and opportunities I left behind while attending the conference.

This year’s conference, Proclaim18, provided all the same opportunities and challenges, and more. The face of broadcast, television and radio, is definitely changing for stations and networks as well as programmers. Add digital and social media to the mix and there are tremendous opportunities for those ready and willing to adapt to these changes.

After all the meetings and events at Proclaim18 this year, I came away more convinced than ever that we need to embrace new ideas and directions. But, at the same time, we shouldn’t abandon the strategies and channels that have historically worked.

That’s why measuring success is more critical now than ever before. Testing and evaluation will help us know which strategies are no longer viable and which new tactics show promise. Modifying or abandoning strategies which are no longer work is always difficult, but necessary in this rapidly changing environment.

The NRB conference is always a great time to find new ideas and strategies, and learn of changes in the marketplace we may not know about yet.

That’s why I’m already looking forward to attending the Proclaim19 conference next year!