Mark Your Calendar for ASBPE’s Most Exciting Conference Yet

Join ASBPE May 15-17, 2024, for our 2.5-day virtual National Conference, national Azbee Awards of Excellence presentation and new Annual Members’ Forum. With an edgier theme: “Evolve or Die. The Next Wave of B2B’s Digital Transformation,” we aim to push beyond the standard best practices and networking for our members. We’ll focus on changes in the digital landscape and provide actionable tips for how to adapt and rise to challenges, evolve to keep afloat, and stay engaged with readers — even as the tools we use continue to shift.

Location: We’re saving you travel dollars by hosting the conference virtually in 2024, but we won’t hold back on the programming, networking and fun you’ve come to expect from our conference.

Each year, ASBPE’s National Conference & Azbee Awards Banquet offers members an opportunity to get insight into best practices of B2B journalism, network with colleagues from across the country, and honor the winners of the Azbee Awards competition. Don’t miss this unique event to join your ASBPE colleagues from across the U.S. for networking, best practices, great learning opportunities, camaraderie and fun!

Plus keep an eye out for special announcements as ASBPE celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2024! As part of our 60th, we’re doubling down on our commitment to member service. We’ve updated and added additional member options to more accurately reflect the roles in our B2B publishing community and shared a new online member community (with updated discussion groups coming soon). We’ll be launching new member surveys — where members can share feedback with us more regularly — and investing in new programming for our members. The new Annual Members’ Forum, hosted during the National Conference, creates a space for members  to help our Board of Directors shape key initiatives for the following year. Plus we’re launching beta groups for our first ever ASBPE Cohorts, role-based networking groups that will start during the conference and continue to meet into the future!

Register by our April 12 early-bird deadline to save $100 on full-conference tickets or $70 on one-day passes for the Azbee Awards. Stay tuned for more information in coming weeks!

Register by May 9!

 

2024 National Conference Keynote Speaker

ASBPE is please to announce that Brian Morrissey, founder of The Rebooting and former president/editor-in-chief of Digiday, will be our keynote speaker at the 2024 National Conference.

“As B2B publishing professionals, we all must be well-informed regarding the industries we cover, but we also must follow the trends and changes affecting the publishing and journalism communities,” says ASBPE President Cory Sekine-Pettite. “To that end, our virtual conference this year will highlight the many ways in which our industry has changed, how it continues to evolve, and will provide key takeaways for members to implement in their own workplaces. We are excited that Brian Morrissey will kick off our program by providing his keen insights on the trends shaping journalism today.”

The Biggest Trends Reshaping the Future of Media and What To Do about Them: A Fireside Chat with Brian Morrissey

Change is the only constant in the media industry. From the explosion of generative AI to the shifting tides of search and social platforms, media companies of all shapes and sizes are trying to adapt to the latest waves of change in 2024.

Join us for a thought-provoking fireside chat with Brian Morrissey. Morrissey is the founder of The Rebooting, a publication focused on the methods of building sustainable media businesses. Previously, he was the president and editor-in-chief of Digiday Media, a leading B2B publication for the media and marketing industry, where he was responsible for all editorial across the brands, memberships, products, event programming and design.

Hear his take on the biggest trends shaping media today, where he thinks media companies are finding success…or making the same mistakes all over again, and what advice he would give B2B media professionals in times of great change. Davide Savenije, vice president of the National Board of Directors at ASBPE and the editor-in-chief at Industry Dive, will host the chat.

2024 Conference Sessions & Schedule

We are excited to host an edgy and insightful slate of sessions and speakers for our 2024 virtual event. This year’s conference features wide-ranging coverage on topics that are front-of-mind for our members, a brand new structure for networking opportunities, and our first ever Annual Members’ Forum. Registrants will have access to our virtual conference platform several days in advance to build out their profiles, check out speakers, begin interacting with fellow attendees, and schedule chats with our sponsors.

Wednesday, May 15

Our conference begins Wednesday, May 15 at 9:00 am EDT with opening remarks from ASBPE President Cory Sekine-Pettite, followed by our first networking opportunity.

Ethics of Generative AI – Networking Discussion

Time: 9:05 – 10:00 a.m. EDT

Ethics Committee Chair Art Aiello will share the committee’s take on the ethics of generative A.I. Then we’ll break into small groups to discuss and learn from our peers — what are individuals and publication teams researching, doing, planning, and saying about working with generative A.I.

KEYNOTE: The Biggest Trends Reshaping the Future of Media and What To Do about Them: A Fireside Chat with Brian Morrissey

Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EDT
Speaker: Brian Morrissey, Founder, The Rebooting
Moderator: Davide Savenije, Editor-in-Chief, Industry Dive and Vice President, ASBPE

Change is the only constant in the media industry. From the explosion of generative AI to the shifting tides of search and social platforms, media companies of all shapes and sizes are trying to adapt to the latest waves of change in 2024.

Join us for a thought-provoking fireside chat with Brian Morrissey, founder of The Rebooting, a publication focused on the methods of building sustainable media businesses. Hear his take on the biggest trends shaping media today, where he thinks media companies are finding success…or making the same mistakes all over again, and what advice he would give B2B media professionals in times of great change. Davide Savenije, vice president of the National Board of Directors at ASBPE and the editor-in-chief at Industry Dive, will host the chat.

This session will be followed by a 15-minute break.

Innovations in Online Storytelling

Time: 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
Speakers: Heather Lalley, Managing Editor, Restaurant Business, Informa Connect; and Michael Reeves, Digital Content Director, strategy+business, PWC

Modern technology affords publishers a variety of innovations in online storytelling tools. Hear from experienced editors who will discuss new story formats and how teams can bring editorial and design together to produce compelling visual journalism. This session will include tips on how to craft groundbreaking packages in which articles and visual elements work in concert.

ASBPE Cohorts: Meeting 1

Time: 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. EDT

Conference registrants will be pre-assigned to these role-based networking groups, where you and fellow attendees from across the country can discuss your work-related needs, wants and challenges. This unrecorded space will operate under Chatham House Rule so you can talk about real issues and gain highly valuable perspectives and feedback from peers in the industry. ASBPE will provide “starter pack” questions for the groups to discuss, but we know your conversation will veer into uncharted, wonderful and engaging territories!

One-on-One Speed Networking

Time: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. EDT

During the lunch hour, attendees will have access to speed networking with fellow attendees. Grab your lunch and coffee and dive into these short conversations, where you’ll make valuable, new acquaintances in the B2B media industry and catch up with old friends.

ASBPE Educational Foundation

Time: 1:30 – 1:40 p.m. EDT

Hear about the programs, scholarships and awards supported by the ASBPE Educational Foundation. You can support these efforts by making a tax-deductible contribution. The Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization supporting education and excellence in the B2B media industry.

New Skills for Modern Journalists

Time: 1:40 – 2:20 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Edwin Lopez, Managing Editor, Supply Chain Dive, Trucking Dive, Manufacturing Dive and Auto Dive, Industry Dive

Don’t go the way of the dinosaur. Learn new skills to maintain your relevancy, to produce better stories, to better serve your audience and more. This session will focus on new journalists just entering the newsroom as well as continued skills expansion for seasoned journalists.

Will A.I. Be the New Art Director?

Time: 2:20 – 3:00 p.m. EDT
Moderator: Justin Armburger, Creative Director & Floral Designer
Panelists: Mariah Bartz, Assistant Art Director, Security Management, ASIS International; Matt Claney, VP, Creative Director, WTWH Media LLC; Liz Coyne, Editor-in-Chief, Fierce Network, Questex LLC; David Evans, Art Director, Bloomberg Law, Bloomberg Industry Group; and Hillary Glen, Digital Art Director, Editorial, Advertising Specialty Institute®

The rise of A.I. tools dramatically shifting the editorial and design landscape brings with them a host of interesting questions and ethical dilemmas for us to consider. Explore with industry leaders as they discuss whether emerging A.I. will help art directors and designers or pave the path to downsizing and worsening art departments.

This session will be followed by a 15-minute break.

Winning on LinkedIn: Leveraging Social Media for Audience Growth & Engagement

Time: 3:15 – 3:45 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Joe Milord, Senior Community Manager, Publisher Partnerships, LinkedIn

Discover directly from LinkedIn how it works with its partner publishers, how to leverage the platform for your B2B publication, and learn how to find your own wins on LinkedIn.

A Conversation with Dragonfly Editorial

Time: 3:45 – 4:15 p.m. EDT

Head over to Dragonfly Editorial’s sponsor booth for a live conversation on pressing B2B media needs and learn how Dragonfly supports writing, editing, and design in the publishing process. Meet President Samantha Enslen and Writing Manager Emily Primeaux, who know all the best tips and have incredible insights.

AI killed the SEO Star … or did it?

Time: 4:15 – 4:55 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Erin Hallstrom, Associate Director of SEO Strategy, Endeavor Business Media

Should publishers be concerned with AI’s impact on Search Engine Optimization? In the last year, many publishers have worried if AI tools are out to steal traffic from organic search engine results. From TikTok to Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and much more, this session will look at search engines’ disruptors and offer tips for how to work with this new crop of AI chatbots instead of against them.

After this session, we’ll close the day with some brief thoughts and what to expect tomorrow.

Thursday, May 16

Thursday brings a celebration of all things B2B Media Excellence! Opening remarks from ASBPE President Cory Sekine-Pettite lead off the day.

Making the Switch: How Three B2B Publications Dropped Paper But Kept Their Readers

Time: 9:05 – 10:05 a.m. EDT
Panelists: Jonathan Maze, Editor-in-Chief, Restaurant Business, Informa Connect; Traci Purdum, Editor-in-Chief of Chemical Processing, Endeavor Business Media; and Nicole Racadag, MSJ, Senior Managing Editor, ACR Bulletin, American College of Radiology

More and more publications have moved away from print to digital-only publications or hybrid models. Hear from three industry veterans on how they made the switch to digital-only, lessons learned and how it’s working for them.

Azbee Awards of Excellence: All Content Division

Time: 10:05 – 10:35 a.m. EDT

Get ready to celebrate – seriously, clear some space around your chair – as we announce the national award-winners for the categories in our All Content division.

These awards announcements will be followed by a 15-minute break.

Is ‘Paper’ a Four-Letter Word? Print’s Role Today

Time: 10:50 – 11:35 a.m. EDT
Panelists: Marina Mayer, Content Director, IRONMARKETS; Jamie Butters, Executive Editor, Automotive News, Crain Communications; and Rich Luna, Senior Director, Content, Associated Luxury Hotels International

Many B2B organizations still make their print publications shine. Hear from several award-winning editors who lean into making print part of their overall strategy in a way that digital becomes a supplement rather than a replacement.

Azbee Awards of Excellence: Design Division

Time: 11:35 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT

Prepare to see the best of the best in B2B media design work as we announce the national award-winners for the categories in our Design division.

One-on-One Speed Networking

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EDT

During the lunch hour, attendees will have access to speed networking with fellow attendees. Grab your lunch and coffee and dive into these short conversations, where you’ll make valuable, new acquaintances in the B2B media industry and catch up with old friends.

From Lumpy to Lively: How Plain Language Creates Surprisingly Vibrant Stories

Time: 1:00 – 1:35 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Samantha Enslen, President, Dragonfly Editorial

Think plain language principles are about dumbing down your content? Think again. They can help you create everything from SEO-friendly story copy to social media copy to newsletter copy. This session will guide you on creating in plain, compelling, engaging language that creates vibrant products/publications that stand the test of time. Bonus: we’ll showcase AI tools that can help you untangle confusing copy and get to clear writing more quickly.

A Conversation with ButterDocs

Time: 1:35 – 2:35 p.m. EDT

Jump into to ButterDocs’ sponsor booth for a live conversation on pressing B2B media needs and how ButterDocs can support publication’s writing teams. More details on this conversation topic coming soon!

Azbee Awards of Excellence: Online Division

Time: 2:35 – 2:55 p.m. EDT

Follow along for the most innovative and courageous digital coverage as we announce the national award-winners for the categories in our Online division.

These awards announcements will be followed by a 15-minute break.

ASBPE Cohorts: Meeting 2

Time: 3:10 – 3:50 p.m. EDT

Rejoin your role-based networking groups to discuss the award-winning work you and your teams produce. ASBPE will provide “starter pack” questions for the groups to discuss, but we know your cohort wants to hear more about the gold-winners from today’s announcements. What was most impressive to you?

Azbee Awards of Excellence: Print Division

Time: 3:50 – 4:05 p.m. EDT

Hear which publications are amplifying their print coverage as we announce the national award-winners for the categories in our Print division.

Ambitious Digital Journalism

Time: 4:05 – 4:50 p.m. EDT
Panelists: Kevin Davis, Managing Editor, ABA Journal, American Bar Association; Chana Schoenberger, Editor-in-Chief, American Banker, Arizent; and Jason Snyder, Executive Editor, CIO.com, Foundry

Learn how publications can create space and time for their most ambitious projects, such as investigative pieces, covering the work itself, how that work comes together and how to balance these projects with the rest of your workload.

Azbee Awards of Excellence: Overall Excellence Division + Special Awards and Recognition

Time: 4:50 – 5:25 p.m. EDT

Publication teams will be on the edge of their seats as ASBPE announces the award-winners for the categories in our Overall Excellence division. Six categories, awarded only on the national level, truly showcase the best of B2B journalism and design: Email Newsletter of the Year, Social Media Account of the Year, Multi-Platform Package of the Year, Website of the Year, Digital Magazine of the Year, and Magazine of the Year. Plus, find out who has won the prestigious and coveted Stephen Barr Award from the ASBPE Educational Foundation.

We’ll share a brief note about what to expect for the final day of the conference, then leave you to your celebrations.

Friday, May 17

ASBPE packed our last conference day with some of the most thought-provoking sessions, led off once again with opening remarks from ASBPE President Cory Sekine-Pettite.

Disrupt or Be Disrupted: Harnessing Expertise for B2B Thought Leadership

Time: 9:05 – 9:45 a.m. EDT
Speaker: Emily Primeaux, Writing Manager, Dragonfly Editorial

In the rapidly evolving B2B landscape, where AI disruption looms, the ability to craft compelling thought leadership content hinges on mastering the art of human connection, often through interviews. Join Emily Primeaux in this session as we explore how strategic interviewing and narrative storytelling can position humans as the ultimate disruptors. Learn essential skills to build rapport, ask insightful questions, and navigate the complexities of expert interviews with finesse. By harnessing the power of authentic human insights, we’ll empower you to lead the charge in shaping the future of B2B thought leadership, ensuring that humanity remains at the forefront of innovation.

Annual Members’ Forum

Time: 9:45 – 10:25 a.m. EDT

Don’t miss this annual members meeting, where ASBPE gets back to its roots. Members recently shared candid feedback about ASBPE programming. We’ll share our survey results, our plans to adapt our programming to your real needs, and open the floor for members to share feedback, suggestions, and requests. This is a space for members to help our Board of Directors shape key initiatives for the following year, as we continue to build a better ASBPE.

This meeting will be followed by a 15-minute break.

AI: Flawed Algorithms When It Comes to DEI

Time: 10:40 – 11:15 a.m. EDT
Moderator: Drew Vass, Executive Editor/Associated Publisher, [DWM] Magazine, Key Media & Research
Panelists: Generative AI models; *Additional panelists to be announced soon!

Without question, artificial intelligence is here to stay. But when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion, AI is experiencing hallucinations, which is how the industry refers to AI rendering incorrect, faulty or even abusive information. This session will examine important questions that must be asked to understand how AI will need training, data collection, model training and model deployment to successfully represent the values and need for DEI awareness in AI-generated content.

ASBPE Cohorts: Meeting 3

Time: 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. EDT

Check back in with your role-based networking groups to share your takeaways from this year’s conference. What are you looking forward to bringing back to your work and/or your team? ASBPE will provide “starter pack” questions for the groups to discuss, and we’ll prepare the groups to continue meeting long after the conference is over.

The Metrics that Matter Most

Time: 11:45 – 12:25 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Davide Savenije, Editor-in-Chief, Industry Dive and Vice President, ASBPE

There’s more data than ever at our fingertips. But all that data is only valuable if you know how to leverage it. Figuring out which metrics matter most and developing a strong culture of audience listening is easier said than done. Hear from Davide Savenije, Editor-in-Chief at Industry Dive, about his lessons learned for building strong audience listening habits, how to make it easier for editorial to gain insights from data, and the compelling new metrics that the smartest publishers are increasingly gravitating toward.

We’re closing out the day, but stay tuned: ASBPE has more programming and new initiatives coming soon!

Registration Fees and Deadlines

Full Conference Tickets

Read more below for opportunities to attend the full conference with the Diversity Fellowship or Young Leader Scholarship.

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One-Day Pass for Awards (Thursday Only)

Register Today!

 

Cohorts: Role-Based, Ongoing Networking

This year we’re introducing our first continuous networking groups, ASBPE Cohorts. These role-based networking groups will introduce you to other attendees who actually understand your work-related needs, wants and challenges. This is your unrecorded space under Chatham House Rule to talk about real issues and gain highly valuable perspectives and feedback from peers in the industry. After the conference, Cohort members will rotate hosting monthly meetings to continue this valuable discussion space.

Whereas members of other editorial councils, associations and networking groups pay for this opportunity, ASBPE is creating a free space where members can interact with peers. We plan to launch additional cohorts in the future to engage more ASBPE members. You must register for the full conference to be included in the beta groups that will continue beyond the conference.

Annual Members’ Forum

ASBPE recently launched a new membership-wide survey for members to share candid feedback with us quarterly — and to help us invest in new programming that our members want and need the most. Now we’re taking what we’ve learned from the first survey and getting back to our roots with an annual members meeting. The new Annual Members’ Forum, hosted during the National Conference, creates a space for members to help our Board of Directors shape key initiatives for the following year. We’ll share our survey results, our plans to adapt our programming to your real needs, and open the floor for members to share feedback, suggestions, and requests. Let’s continue to build a better ASBPE.

Fellowships & Scholarships

ASBPE’s 2024-25 Diversity Fellowship

Help ASBPE develop a more diverse corps of journalists and leaders in the B2B media community by encouraging your colleagues to apply for our 2024-25 Diversity Fellowship. Fellows receive free registration to the national conference, complimentary registration to online programs and other training, and personalized mentoring. Applications for the 2024-25 Diversity Fellowship are now closed.

The ASBPE Educational Foundation’s 2024 Young Leader Scholarship

Encourage your young B2B media professionals to apply for the ASBPE Educational Foundation’s 2024 Young Leader Scholarship. Selected scholars will receive free registration to ASBPE’s National Conference. The applicants must be 30 years old or younger, have spent at least two years in B2B media, be nominated by their supervisor or manager and plan to continue in B2B media for their career. Applications for the 2024 Young Leader Scholarship are now closed.

About Our 2024 Sponsors

Supporting ASBPE’s national conference is the best way to show your support for the hard-working B2B journalists and publications that not only use your products and services, but endeavor to make us all better informed, hold officials accountable and improve the industries they cover. Read more about sponsoring ASBPE’s national conference.

PLATINUM SPONSOR

ButterDocs is collaborative writing & editing software for business and journalism writers, editors, and teams. Produce better writing faster, from concept to final draft, with a clean writing environment, built-in notes and outlining board, tools to help with focus, and collaboration built for editorial teams. ASBPE members get 1 year of the ButterDocs Individual plan for Free ($324 value) and 70% off their annual Team plan.

GOLD SPONSOR

Dragonfly Editorial is your outsourced content partner, helping you with writing, editing, design, and content strategy. We’re an extension of your team, easing your workload and reducing your stress. We create clear, compelling content that meets your business needs and helps you shine.

SILVER SPONSOR

SwiftRev helps editors better manage the wave of inbound press releases – for free.

2023 Conference Sessions & Recordings

ASBPE’s 2023 National Conference showcased “Heroes of B2B Media” — publications and journalists who are champions/heroes of their beats or within the industries they cover. Our speakers, presenters and guests demonstrated success in managing change, growing their audience, launching new products/publications, spotlighting and championing diversity, and pivoting to provide their readership/membership vital information and thought-provoking stories.

If you missed our annual conference, hosted May 11-12, 2023 at the Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown in Atlanta, Ga., you can still get the benefits of ASBPE’s educational programming through our recorded sessions. ASBPE Members can access individual session recordings in our members-only webinar archive, included with your membership. Non-members can purchase recordings.

2023 Sessions & Recordings

Questions?

We love to hear from our members and guests. Please get in touch with our Conference Committee through our contact form if you:

• have any questions, concerns or feedback for ASBPE.
• are interested in speaking at or becoming a sponsor for our 2024 conference.
• are an Azbee Awards judge and would like to use Azbee Bucks to cover a portion of your registration fees.
• are a non-member who currently resides outside the United States and are interested in attending our 2024 National Conference; committee members will provide additional guidance for your registration.

If you have suggestions for a conference session topic, please complete our suggestion form.

By completing payment for National Conference tickets, you indicate you have read and agree to ASBPE’s Payment, Refund & Cancellation Policy. Please reach out to ASBPE’s Executive Director with any questions about this policy before completing payment.