Monday, October 27
OAB Annual General Meeting
4:30 pm
OAB Annual General Meeting
For members only
The Ontario Association of Broadcasters’ Annual General Meeting reviews the activities of the Board. Committee Chairs will present on past and future plans, financials and the 2025/26 Board is elected.
The OAB is please to announce, the CRTC Ontario Commissioner, Bram Abramson will provide a brief address allowing time for member questions.
CAB TownHall
5:30 pm
CAB Town Hall
For members only
Join Kevin Desjardins, President of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), and Tandy Yull, the CAB’s Vice-President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, for an interactive town hall on key legislative and regulatory priorities facing the broadcasting industry. They will share an update on the recent CRTC hearings and provide an overview of other important radio and TV priorities and initiatives.
Connected Car Measurement
6:30 pm
with Juan Galdamez, Xperi
DTS AutoStage is a hybrid radio solution for automotive, providing data on how listeners access radio in vehicles. Currently, more than 300,000 vehicles across Canada are equipped with this system and are reporting broadcast radio usage. Join Juan as he previews the upcoming developments and discuss the impact for radio in Canada.
OAB President’s Welcome Reception
7:00 pm
Join Us!
Open to conference registrants, speakers and sponsors, this casual reception is an opportunity to catch up with friends, colleagues and meet new contacts in a relaxed unstructured setting. Welcome Cocktail and Canapes will be served.
Tuesday, October 28
Full Conference
Leadership Program
The Golden Age of Radio . . . is NOW!
8:25 am
Featuring Steve Jones & John Ongaro
Change is inevitable and often met with resistance, especially in the radio industry. While some complain about the “good old days,” in this One On One, John Ongaro sits down with Stingray President Steve Jones to talk about how the best is yet to come and that optimism is essential in our ever changing industry. Embracing the change in radio and finding opportunities within it is crucial to success
Breaking the Mold: Rethinking On-Air Norms
9:30 am
Programming Panel
Because We’ve Always Done It This Way: Radio is often very attached to its traditions, and even sometimes a little defensive. Sometimes that’s for the best, but sometimes, it can stifle innovation and growth. In this panel discussion, Ian Solecki, Bayshore Broadcasting talks with Josie Fenech, Stingray; Ian March, INDIE 88; and Adam West, Evanov Communications to challenge some radio norms. Let’s see which ones hold up to a little scrutiny, and still belong on your station in 2025.
Leveraging AI in Broadcasting
10:35 am
with Chris "Dunner" Duncombe
In today’s competitive broadcast environment, speed personalization and efficiency are everything. AI is no longer a buzzword-it’s a powerful tool that’s transforming how broadcasters operate every day.
Join Chris “Dunner” Duncombe, Director of Streaming & Podcasting at Corus Entertainment for a look at how AI is reshaping content creation and boosting productivity in the audio world. Discover practical tools that can elevate your content quality and streamline your workflow.
Join us to see how AI can take you to the next level!
Connect & Collaborate
11:35 am
Discover What’s New!
We invite you to take a moment during the event to connect with our incredible sponsors. This is a opportunity to explore the latest innovations in broadcast technology, learn ways to make your station more efficient, secure, and well-maintained, as well as build valuable industry relationships.
Our sponsors are here to share insights, answer your questions, and showcase solutions that can help elevate your operations. Discover tools and strategies that can make a real difference for your station!
FACTOR Awards Luncheon
12:20 pm
Open to both Full Conference and Sales registrants, join us to celebrate OAB Award winners, FACTOR supported Artist and 2025 Hall of Fame Award presentation to Doug Bingley.
Creating Powerful Content – to Get, Keep & Grow Audiences
2:10 pm
Featuring Val Geller
How to win in a world, where audiences with ever shortening attention spans are being bombarded with media choices— along with AI and its attacks on our credibility. There’s a new term, whether it makes it into the vernacular or not, your audience are on “SCREEN MEDIA.” In this session Valerie will share proven methods to help you create unique compelling content that breaks through on all delivery systems, is NEVER BORING and that entertains, informs and inspires your audience—enticing them to return.
Plus, answers to your questions —to help you not just survive, but succeed, grow and thrive.
Radio News: the Changing Funding Landscape
3:10 pm
Dive deep into the shifting terrain of Canadian radio news funding
This session dives deep into the shifting terrain of Canadian radio news funding and offers practical insights for broadcasters, journalists, and media leaders.
What You’ll Hear:
- Lessons from Year One of the Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC)
- What’s ahead: Improvements for Year Two
- Updates on the Television Independent Local News Fund
- Opportunities through the Local Journalism Initiative
- Understanding QCJO status and available tax credits
Whether you’re navigating funding applications or planning your newsroom’s future, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to thrive in a changing environment.
Presidents’ Panel
4:25 pm
Back by Popular Demand
SALES PROGRAM
20 Sellable Ideas in 20 Minutes
7:55 am
with Paul Ferguson
Get ready for a fast-paced, high-energy session that delivers value in record time!
This session packs a punch with practical, creative, and easy-to-implement strategies designed to boost your sales efforts. You’ll walk away with a toolkit of fresh ideas—some you may already use, others you’ve never considered, and a few that will spark brand-new approaches in your market. Quick, informative, and fun, this session is perfect for anyone looking to recharge their sales game and discover simple yet powerful ways to drive results. Don’t blink—you might miss your next great idea!
AI Insights for Busy Reps
8:20 am
with Chris 'Dunner' Duncombe
In today’s competitive sales environment, speed, personalization, and efficiency are everything. AI is no longer a buzzword—it’s a powerful tool that’s transforming how sales teams operate every day.
Becoming the First Choice: Sales Strategies for a Disrupted Market
9:00 am
with Pat Bryson
Join Pat for this high-impact session designed to help you turn short-term clients into long-term partners, build campaigns that drive results, and become your clients’ go-to marketing expert.
Explore:
- Smarter client engagement strategies
- Personal brand growth for warm leads
- Campaign tactics that move the revenue needle
- How AI and memory science can make your clients unforgettable
Built with input from OAB Sales Managers, this session delivers real-world strategies to help you thrive in 2026 and beyond.
Connect & Collaborate
11:35 am
Discover What's New!
We invite you to take a moment during the event to connect with our incredible sponsors. This is a opportunity to explore the latest innovations in broadcast technology, learn ways to make your station more efficient, secure, and well-maintained, as well as build valuable industry relationships.
Our sponsors are here to share insights, answer your questions, and showcase solutions that can help elevate your operations. Discover tools and strategies that can make a real difference for your station!
FACTOR Awards Luncheon
12:20 pm
Open to both Full Conference and Sales registrants, join us to celebrate OAB Award winners, FACTOR supported Artist and 2025 Hall of Fame Award presentation to Doug Bingley