Niche Media Conference, April 23-25, 2025- Virgin Hotel, Las Vegas, NV.
Industry-leading keynote speakers, awesome networking events, and 5 tracks of learning and inspiration:
Publisher Strategy, Ad Sales Training, Audience/Marketing Growth, Digital Strategy, and the NEW Editorial Track.
MEET YOUR 2025 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Kelsey Russell
As featured in Speakers Magazine, Kelsey is known to her 89,000+ TikTok followers as 'The Print Princess' and 'The Girl Who Reads the Newspaper.' She specializes in helping media companies connect with and engage younger audiences.
Devin Henderson
Recognized as a Smart Meetings Magazine Top 25 Motivational Speaker, Devin combines magic, audience engagement, and actionable strategies to help you and your media team stay resilient in the face of change and overcome fears that could hinder success.
"Mr. Magazine"
Dr. Samir Husni, known as 'Mr. Magazine,' has been a prophetic voice and passionate advocate for the publishing industry for over 40 years. He will share his visionary insights into the future of media companies—and in a city like Vegas, he's betting on print!
Wednesday, April 23, 2025:
11am-4:00pm: Show Office and Registration Open — PICK UP YOUR BADGE HERE!
9:00am-11am: Sponsor table set up in event foyer area.
1:00pm-2:00pm: NICHE KICKOFF CELEBRATION AND MEGA PRIZE GIVEAWAY: Get the information you need to make the most of your Las Vegas Niche experience and meet your fellow attendees, PLUS win over $2,000 in cash and prizes on the Niche Wheel!
2:00pm-4:15pm: NICHE OPENING DAY WORKSHOPS – 100% included for everyone in your registration! Choose your focus for an afternoon full of revenue takeaways, brilliant hacks, and new ideas to make 2025 your best year ever. Set the stage for the rest of your Niche Media Conference experience + make connections to hang out with the rest of the week!
Workshop #1 – Audience Development and Marketing Strategies for New Audience (and Revenue!): In an era of declining social traffic and the rise of AI, publishers face unprecedented challenges in building new audiences. Join us for a workshop that explores the strategies you need to thrive in this evolving landscape. Led by Melissa Chowning, Founder & CEO at Twenty-First Digital, you’ll learn how to develop owned audiences, leverage emerging technologies like AI, and navigate the challenges of changing search behaviors. Discover actionable insights and practical tips to take your audience development strategies into 2025 and beyond.
Workshop #2 – Media Sales Training with Ryan Dohrn: Led by BILLION-DOLLAR sales coach Ryan Dohrn, this is the best conference foundation for experienced sales executives and media newbies alike. Covering all media sales markets, with updated and NEW information: Selling Value when Advertisers are Focused on Price; Creating your 2025 personal sales plan, 25 email subject lines to use today, and over 55 other sales tips & tricks. Bring your media sales questions and challenges to this fast-paced training afternoon with your fellow media sales warrior, Ryan Dohrn!
Hosted by: MediaOS
Workshop #3 – Consumer Publishers Roundtable: For consumer/hobbyist/city & regional publishers. Bring your niche-specific questions, brainstorming, and venting to this “open mic” afternoon with your peers. Your moderator will help guide topics like: sales teams, staff hiring, remote work, print costs, digital tools, overhead, new revenue, inflation concerns, shifting readership, and more. Excellent way to get the ideas flowing and make peer connections to keep chatting with for the rest of the week. This session led by Barb Krause, Publisher/CEO, Nei-Turner Media Group and Dena Frisch, Regional Sales Manager, BRAVA Magazine.
Workshop #4 – B2B Publishers Roundtable: For business audience and association publishers. Bring your niche-specific questions, brainstorming, and venting to this “open mic” afternoon with your peers. Your moderator will help guide topics like: sales teams, staff hiring, remote work, print costs, digital tools, overhead, new revenue, market shifts, financing, events and more. Excellent way to get the ideas flowing and make peer connections to keep chatting with for the rest of the week. Led by Chris Messer, Vice-President / Group Publisher, Endeavor Business Media.
Workshop #5 – Editorial and Design Roundtable: This editorial and design feedback group is back by popular demand, and led this year by Mr. Magazine himself, Dr. Samir Husni. Open to Editors, Designers, and their related content staff to discuss and strategize around topics ranging from copyright issues, custom content creation, AI impact on graphics and media facts, outsourcing, writing amazing headlines, writing for Google/SEO, what great design means to revenue, balancing workloads, how to do more with less staff, and so much more!
4:30pm-6:00pm: SPEED PUBLISHING and VEGAS MIXOLOGY NETWORKING EVENT AND PARTY
HOSTED BY PUBLICATION PRINTERS!
This is a Niche attendee event favorite! Think speed dating with a unique twist. This is the ultimate game of networking, fun, and happy hour drinks. DO NOT MISS this fun meet & greet game before you head out for dinner! 99% positive feedback from past attendees!
6:00pm-Midnight: Dinner on your own. Afterwards, join your Niche Media Conference friends at one of the FOUR lounges on site at the Virgin Hotel for Vegas vibes and great conversation.
Thursday, April 24, 2025:
8:00am-4:00pm: Show Office and Registration Open — PICK UP YOUR BADGE HERE!
8:00am-9:00am: Caffeinate and Circulate! Grab your hot breakfast and favorite morning beverage, then meet up with your team or new Niche friends, and make the rounds of the amazing Niche Media Conference Sponsors! It’s the perfect time fill up your Tour Card, so you have time for extended discussion with vendors and colleagues of interest for the rest of the Conference.
9:00am-9:15am: Niche Media Conference Morning Kick-Off with $1,500 in prizes!
9:15am-9:45am – Opening Power Keynote: Meet TikTok’s “Princess of Print” Kelsey Russell
Kelsey Russell, media literacy influencer and Co-Host of First Stop News
Her TikTok followers know her as “the Print Princess” and “the girl who reads the newspaper”. Kelsey Russell engages more than 89,300 fans on TikTok, where she evangelizes print newspapers and media literacy. She summarizes news articles for her audience, adding her (often humorous) take on the topic. She also co-hosts a weekly news program for children, First Stop News. Her growing TikTok audience represents every generation, from Gen Z to Boomer followers who wax nostalgic about newspapers. Younger followers tell her they find print refreshing. (Summary from Editor and Publisher)
Kelsey will challenge the Niche audience to think differently about audience engagement, especially for younger readers and followers, and will discuss current media platforms and outreach versus fake news, AI and overwhelming digital options.
9:45am-10:00am – Sponsor Tour Card Break: Meet your next resource partner & get those Sponsor Tour Cards signed for a chance to win a free pass to the Niche Media Conference in 2026! Coffee sponsored by: Progress Printing Plus
10:00am-11:00am – 5 Breakout Sessions: Choose Your Topic!
Breakout #1 – PUBLISHER STRATEGY TRACK: Rules of the AI Publishing Road
Moderator: Vatrice Chestnut, Chief Relationship Officer and Media AI Expert, Affinity Media Consulting, LLC
Three publishing tech experts share their thoughts and strategies on the future of AI and how it will change the face of publishing (and everything else!) forever. This is a great “state of the industry” discussion driver and foundation for the rest of your strategy sessions at the Conference.
Track Host: Publication Printers
Breakout #2 – SALES TRAINING TRACK: How to Sell Digital Advertising in 2025 with AI
Kenny Katzgrau, CEO, Broadstreet and Publisher at RedBankGreen
Discover the future of digital advertising in this game-changing session led by Broadstreet Founder and Publisher Kenny Katzgrau. Kenny will reveal cutting-edge strategies for leveraging AI to boost ad sales and streamline your workflow. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to enhance your sales techniques, this session will equip you with actionable insights to stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital advertising landscape.
Track Host: MediaOS
Breakout #3 – AUDIENCE & MARKETING GROWTH TRACK: 100,000 Followers! 10 Proven Ideas to Boost Social Engagement with Your Readers
Zach O’Brien, Publisher, Active NorCal
Zach shares specific examples of how Active NorCal grew their social channels to over 100,000 engaged followers.
Breakout #4 – EDITORIAL TRACK: Search Engine Optimization Secrets for Editors
Eric Shanfelt, Founding Partner, Nearview Media
Master the SEO essentials unique to editors and media companies, and drive more traffic to your site through Google Search, Google News and Google Discover. Learn about the Google Search Quality Guidelines and E-E-A-T (expertise, experience, authority, and trust). Discover how you as an editor can best optimize your brand, content, and author profiles to improve your website’s presence in search results.
Track Host: 032 Outsourcing
Breakout #5 – DIGITAL STRATEGY TRACK: CDPs..To Invest or Not Invest?
Melissa Chowning, Founder & CEO, Twenty-First Digital
Discover how a Customer Data Platform can revolutionize your audience engagement, drive revenue, and unlock the full potential of your data! We’ll dive into the key factors to consider when deciding if a CDP is right for your business, including cost-benefit analysis, explore alternatives, and provide practical insights for selecting the right solution.
Track Host: January Spring
11:00am-11:30am – Sponsor Tour Card Break: Meet your next resource partner & get those Sponsor Tour Cards signed for a chance to win a free pass to the Niche Media Conference in 2026! Coffee sponsored by: Progress Printing Plus
11:30am-12:30pm – 5 Breakout Sessions: Choose Your Topic!
Breakout #1 – PUBLISHER STRATEGY TRACK: Unlocking the $75 Billion Opportunity: How Publishers Can Win Big in Direct Marketing
John Puterbaugh, Ph.D., Rise Media
Direct marketing is a $75 billion opportunity—and special interest publishers are perfectly positioned to tap into it. With rich first-party data and loyal, targeted audiences, you have what performance-driven advertisers want. But, unlocking this revenue requires a new approach. Learn how to reposition your sales team, evolve media kits, merge audience data, and launch audience extension products that deliver real results.
Track Host: Publication Printers
Breakout #2 – SALES TRAINING TRACK: Selling to the 4 Faces of Personality in Every Advertiser
Mark Shaffer, Owner & Publisher, MyMagazineCompany.com / MYVEGAS Magazine
Boost your sales strategy by digging in deep on who you are actually meeting with, and learning to connect better, smarter, and faster with nearly anyone you meet. Seasoned media pro Mark Schaffer will share his secrets of selling almost anything to anybody by identifying their personality type.
Track Host: MediaOS
Breakout #3 – AUDIENCE & MARKETING GROWTH TRACK: Building the Ultimate Email and Marketing Machine
Kelly Travis, VP of Sales and Marketing, STL Media /
Explore how St. Louis Magazine has transformed their email approach, captivating thousands of engaged readers while achieving substantial revenue growth. Join Kelly Travis, VP of Marketing and Sales at SLM Media Group, as she unveils the successes, challenges, and invaluable insights from their transformative project. Uncover the secrets behind their innovative content and marketing model.
Breakout #4 – EDITORIAL TRACK: Enhancing Editorial Processes with AI: Tools and Techniques
Vatrice Chestnut, Chief Relationship Officer and Media AI Expert, Affinity Media Consulting LLC
The editorial process takes a piece of writing all the way from an idea to distributed material. How fast it gets from A to B is another story! Learn how AI tools can assist with ideation, content creation, editing, proofreading and publishing. PLUS how to establish a documented AI flow and resource guide all editorial staff can use rather than one-off, reactionary processes.
Track Host: 032 Outsourcing
Breakout #5 – DIGITAL STRATEGY TRACK: Three Simple Digital Solutions that Sell Fast
Laurie Laykish, Publisher, Local Life Hilton Head
Not a salesperson session – sorry! This session is for people tasked with digital product development that sales reps will want to sell. LOCAL Life launched three unique products that sell out and are so easy to execute it should be illegal.
12:30pm-2:00pm: Power Lunch and Keynote featuring Top 25 global motivational speaker, comedian and magician Devin Henderson.
Being Resilient in an Ever-changing Business World. Sponsored by 032 Outsourcing
12:30pm-1:00pm: Lunch is served! Sit with a Sponsor and bring your Tour Card for more sign-offs!
1:00pm-2:00pm: Devin speaks
In this exhilarating keynote, Devin will share strategies for you and your team to remain resilient in the face of change, and to manage fears that could otherwise sabotage what’s possible. He’ll also inspire you to rethink goals and uncover untapped potential, as well as learn how to collaborate for achievement. You’ll find surprising takeaways, even as you marvel at Devin’s magic demonstrations and laugh at his stories!
Devin Henderson has logged thousands of performances as an award-winning comedian and magician and in-demand keynote speaker over his two-decade professional career. He is the host of The Possibility Mindset Podcast. Devin’s passion is using his unique talents and experiences to inspire individuals and organizations to discover their greatest potential and resilience to keep going no matter what. Devin was voted into the “Top 10 Event Motivational Speakers” by Smart Meetings Magazine.
2:00pm-2:30pm – Sponsor Tour Card Break: Meet your next resource partner & get those Sponsor Tour Cards signed for a chance to win a free pass to the Niche Media Conference in 2026! Coffee sponsored by: Progress Printing Plus
2:30pm-4:00pm – TACTICAL AFTERNOON EXTENDED BREAKOUTS!
5 Sessions: Choose Your Topic!
Breakout #1 – PUBLISHER STRATEGY TRACK: The Great Cost-Cutting Debate
Brandon Foreman, CEO, Family Resource Group, Inc.
We’ll kick off this extended session with 10 ideas to cut expenses without harming your company culture and creativity. Then we’ll poll the room to share your best cost-cutting idea (or mistakes) and keep a tally so everyone goes home with a full list of ideas.
Track Host: Publication Printers
Breakout #2 – SALES TRAINING TRACK: Sales Proposal Mania!
Moderator: Nancy O’Brien, Sr. Director, Industry Affairs & Events, AIN Media Group
Sales superstar Nancy O’Brien hosts three other media sellers as they share their proposal secrets and samples. See what other reps like Paul Hoefer, Jayme McKelvey, and Ryn Whiteside are doing to successfully explain options and close deals, then share your own proposal challenges and templates for feedback!
Track Host: MediaOS
Breakout #3 – AUDIENCE & MARKETING GROWTH TRACK: Build and Grow Your Email List Quickly Using LinkedIN and Meta!
Eric Shanfelt, Founding Partner, Nearview Media
Email is still the most effective way to connect with an engaging audience. And, one of the most effective ways to grow your email list is through social lead generation campaigns on Meta and LinkedIn. Learn three different lead generation campaigns that you can implement right away … even if you don’t have many social media followers.
Breakout #4 – EDITORIAL TRACK: Covers, Covers and MORE Covers!
Jim Nissen, President & Creative Director, Command+Shift+Option
What makes a great cover? Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder? Or, are there things you could be doing to increase readership and sell through rates as well? Veteran magazine designer Jim Nissen breaks down the top 10 things every editor and designer needs to do to create compelling cover design.
>> Details on submitting your magazine cover for inclusion coming soon!
Track Host: 032 Outsourcing
Breakout #5 – DIGITAL STRATEGY TRACK: Website Checkup: Best Practices and Actionable Advice for YOUR Website
Featuring: Creative Circle Media Solutions Bill Ostendorf, founder and president, and Lisa Newby, design director, for Creative Circle Media Solutions
After a brief overview of website best practices and some of Creative Circle’s proprietary research, Bill and Lisa, who have worked with hundreds of media sites, will lead a fun and fast-paced review of attendee’s websites. They will offer kudos, identify problem areas and send you home with at least three quick fixes or upgrades that will improve your site’s user experience (UX), revenue, readership, search engine optimization (SEO), functionality or design. They will touch on everything from content to navigation and from ad effectiveness to typography. And your questions are welcome!
Track Host: January Spring
4:00pm-4:30pm: Refresh back in your room for tonight’s Party and Vegas fun!
4:30pm-6:00pm: HAPPY HOUR PARTY IN THE MANOR – FEATURING CLOSE UP MAGIC BY DEVIN HENDERSON. HOSTED BY JANUARY SPRING!
Join us for that Vegas “party in the desert” vibe on the gorgeous Virgin Hotel open air event lawn.
6:00pm–Midnight: Dinner on your own. Afterwards, join your Niche Media Conference friends at one of the FOUR lounges on site at the Virgin Hotel for Vegas vibes and great conversation.
Friday, April 25, 2025:
8:00am-12:00pm: Show Office and Registration Open
8:00am-9:00am: Caffeinate and Circulate! Grab your hot breakfast and favorite morning beverage, then meet up with your team or new Niche friends, and finish up those Tour Cards. Make sure your FULL name and phone number are on your Tour Card, and turn in at the Show Office by 10:30 a.m.!
9:00am-9:15am: Niche Friday Kickoff featuring $1,500 in Prizes!
9:15am-10:30am: Morning Power Keynote: The Future of Print in a Digital World, featuring Mr. Magazine™, Dr. Samir Husni!
Mr. Magazine™, Dr. Samir Husni, has been a prophetic voice in the publishing industry for over 40 years. He will share his vision of the future of our media companies, and in a town like Vegas, he’s betting on print! From leveraging existing print readers to drive digital audience growth, to the content dilemmas associated with moving to all digital publishing, Mr. Magazine will give you hope (and validation) in a world of negativity about our industry, plus tactics that can keep you competitive as we move into and beyond 2025.
10:30am-11am – LAST CHANCE! Sponsor Tour Card Break: Meet your next resource partner & get those Sponsor Tour Cards signed for a chance to win a free pass to the Niche Media Conference in 2026! Coffee sponsored by: Progress Printing Plus
>> Turn your completed Tour Card in at the Show Office by 10:30 a.m.!
11am-Noon – 5 Breakout Sessions: Choose Your Topic!
Breakout #1 – PUBLISHER STRATEGY TRACK: Revenue Trends in Niche Media: Insights for Growth
Alisa Cromer, Publisher of NichePublisher.biz
Gain actionable insights from a detailed analysis of revenue trends in niche media companies—uncovering what’s driving success and where challenges persist. This essential session is designed to help publishers and media CEOs sharpen their strategies and maximize revenue potential.
Track Host: Publication Printers
Breakout #2 – SALES TRAINING TRACK: The Power of Research in Advertising.
Nancy O’Brien, Sr. Director, Industry Affairs & Events, AIN Media Group
Multi-million dollar ad sales veteran Nancy O’Brien explores the critical role of research in shaping advertising sales strategies. This talk highlights how data-driven insights can prove ad results and give sellers tools to move beyond the normal objections. Research can transform the way publishers sell both print and digital ads providing measurable campaigns once you also learn the questions you need to ask the advertiser to be successful at it.
Track Host: MediaOS
Breakout #3 – AUDIENCE & MARKETING GROWTH TRACK: The New Reality of Audience Development and What You Need to Know to Thrive
Patricia McGuinness, Principal, SBM Audience Development
Explore the evolving landscape of audience development and uncover strategies to thrive in this new reality. From shifting consumer behaviors to innovative engagement techniques, this session provides the insights you need to grow and sustain your audience in a competitive market.
Breakout #4 – EDITORIAL TRACK: Designing Efficient Editorial Workflows: Best Practices and Strategies
Vatrice Chestnut, Chief Relationship Officer and Media AI Expert, Affinity Media Consulting LLC
Efficient workflows are crucial for any editorial team. This session provides practical, actionable advice that attendees can implement immediately to improve their operations. We’ll focus on designing and implementing editorial workflows that maximize efficiency and productivity, as well as discuss strategies for task management, collaboration and process automation.
Track Host: 032 Outsourcing
Breakout #5 – DIGITAL STRATEGY TRACK: The Publisher’s Equation in 2025 : Data + Technology = Revenue
Ross Furukawa of the Santa Monica Daily Press
Join Ross and MediaOS team for a focused panel discussion on unlocking the secret to selling digital in 2025. With simplicity in your media kit, a focused tech stack and first-party data, this group of forward-thinking publishers and technologists are ready to share their real-world experience that can lead you to strategies that thrill your audience, attract the right advertisers to your business and bring you recurring revenue in 2025 and beyond.
Track Host: January Spring
Noon: Friday POWER Lunch Featuring over $5,000 in Final Giveaways and Niche Media’s Ryan Dohrn will share his highly regarded talk: 10 ChatGPT Prompts That Can Change Your Life!
Discover how AI can become your daily thought partner, creativity booster, and productivity coach—all with just a few powerful prompts. In this fast-paced and practical keynote, media strategist and sales coach Ryan Dohrn shares 10 transformative ChatGPT prompts you can use right now to think smarter, plan better, and solve problems faster. Whether you’re leading a team, growing a business, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, these prompts can unlock a whole new level of personal and professional growth.
Noon: Lunch is served!
12:30pm – 1pm: Ryan Dohrn Power Keynote
1pm : $5000 Sponsor Prize Giveaway
The end… SEE YOU IN ORLANDO in 2026!
The above schedule, topics, and speakers are subject to change.
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