We hope you’ve had a relaxing holiday season, because your WBA is off to a running start in 2024!
You’ve no doubt already heard a lot about our Student Forum at Lambeau Field on Feb.24. We’re hearing from schools in all corners of the state planning to send students to learn about careers in broadcasting at Wisconsin’s monument to NFL football. We’re excited to be in this new venue and from the reaction we’re getting from students, faculty, and our members, it sounds like you’re excited too!
Thank you to the many stations participating in the event. If you’re not signed up to be at the job fair or in speed networking, please consider it. It’s a great way to connect with aspiring broadcasters, and we’ll send you a letter for your public file for participating.
I’m pleased to report that you, our valued members, are coming out to be a part of State Legislative Day at the State Capitol on Jan. 24. Right now, we have at least one broadcaster visiting every lawmaker in the Capitol, but we have room for more! If you’ve never done it before, this would be a good year to tag along and experience these important legislative calls. We’ll team you up with a fellow broadcaster who knows the ropes, and perhaps next year you’ll come and make some calls of your own! It’s a terrific leadership opportunity.
Interested? Just contact Kyle at kgeissler@wi-broadcaters.org.
Your WBA has already been busy at the State Capitol and recently met with Rep. Todd Novak to talk about open government with our partners from the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council. Thank you for meeting with us!
And we’re also already making plans for our WBA Summer Conference June 19-20 at the beautiful Hotel Retlaw in Fond du Lac. If you’ve never been to Fond du Lac, or haven’t been there in a few years, you’ll be in for a treat. Hotel Retlaw is in the heart of downtown Fond du Lac and surrounded by amazing food, drink, and retail.
Our friends at Destination Lake Winnebago Region, Hotel Retlaw, and Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts are going the extra mile to make this an extra special event. As you may know, this is a new venue for the Summer Conference and one we hope you will enjoy!
Your WBA Conference Committee will soon finalize the agenda, so watch for that to be released sometime soon. There’s a lot in store for you. Please plan to be there.
Take one last moment to take a deep breath at the end of 2023, and make yourself ready for a wonderful 2024! As we say at your WBA, “It’s never boring!”
Michelle Vetterkind
WBA President and CEO
