2025 Convention
March 27, 2025
River Spirit Casino Resort
Tulsa, Oklahoma
2025 OAB Convention
Mark your planner for the 2025 OAB Convention at the beautiful and exciting River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa on Thursday, March 27th, 8:00 am – 9:30 pm.
We've put together a great line-up of sessions and entertainment, and look forward to seeing old friends and new faces.
Reserve Your Room at the
River Spirit Casino Resort
The OAB group rate of $129 has expired. You can book at the current rate or contact Nancy Struby for options.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Deadlines
March 10
March 12
March 12
March 20
2025 Schedule and
Session Information
Thursday, March 27, 2025
8:00am
Registration Opens, Continental Breakfast Opens
9:00am–10:30am
Making a Real Viewer/Listener Connection: Writing, Producing, and Reporting with Authenticity
Kevin Benz, Head Coach, KevinBenz.news
What does it mean to be “real,” “authentic,” or “conversational?” Bosses use these words all the time to describe the best writing and story development, but do you know HOW to do it? This session by Kevin Benz is based on years of research into how news viewers identify authenticity and discern truth from fake news. This workshop will reveal the specific, pragmatic secrets you can use tomorrow—writing and delivering deeply connected stories with sincerity, authenticity, and excellence. Recommended for all News Personnel.
9:00am–10:30am
Legal & Regulatory Q&A
David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
David Oxenford, the OAB’s legal counsel, will provide an open and robust Q & A session for those who want to interact on FCC and DC issues facing broadcasters. This is your chance to grasp our challenges and ask for the advice you might need. Recommended for all Managers and EEO Compliance Officers.
9:00am–10:30am
Elevate Your Digital (and Broadcast) Sales Skills with Excellence!
Shannon Kinney, Owner, Dream Local Digital
Shannon Kinney, owner of Dream Local Digital, will delve into the four critical questions you should ask prospects, empowering you to become their trusted advisor. At the end of the session, you'll walk away with renewed confidence and a comprehensive checklist for crafting the perfect proposal, including key digital and broadcast components that can significantly enhance your closing ratios. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your digital skills and set yourself apart in the industry! Sponsored by Local Broadcast Sales. Recommended for all Sellers and Managers.
10:30am–11:45am
What Does a Station Look Like in 2030?
Paul Jacobs, Jacobs Media
The only thing constant in broadcasting is change. Technology, demographic change, revenue shifts, new competitors, and other factors make it challenging to figure out the right moves and make the best decisions. In this “swirl,” it’s harder than ever for leaders to know where to place their bets, because it’s hard to know where things are heading. Paul Jacobs of Jacobs Media will guide you through the vortex with his fast-paced exploration designed to stimulate thinking to help managers put the decisions they are making today—and for tomorrow—in perspective. Recommended for all Broadcasters.
10:30am–11:45am
Preparing for Your Broadcasting Career
Amy Calvert, VP and General Manager, KOKH–KOCB–KTUL
Kari King, Digital Executive Producer, KFOR–KAUT
Jason Wilson, Area President, iHeartMedia Markets Group
Each year OAB is proud to host our future radio and TV professionals—college students from Oklahoma universities that offer broadcasting curricula. OAB members Amy Calvert, VP and General Manager, KOKH/KOCB/KTUL; Kari King, Digital Executive Producer, KFOR–KAUT; and Jason Wilson, Area President, iHeartMedia Markets Group will present a “State of the Industry” overview and answer questions about how to prepare for a career in broadcasting. Recommended for all Broadcasting Students.
12:00pm–1:00pm
Membership and Hall of Fame Luncheon
Community Service Awards Presentation
OAB Hall of Fame Induction: John Ferguson
Join us as we honor our Community Service award winners and Scholarship students, and induct John “Count Gregore” Ferguson into the OAB Hall of Fame.
1:15pm–2:30pm
OAB/OBEA Student Career Fair
1:30pm–2:30pm
From ZERO To Over a Billion
Janie Dillard, Executive Director of Gaming, Choctaw Nation
The Choctaw Nation has grown exponentially since its first foray from a modest casino tent in 1987. The person behind this amazing growth is Janie Dillard, the Executive Director of Gaming who started at the Nation in 1982 and whose visionary leadership has developed a billion-dollar complex of resorts, casinos and properties—all of which are debt free. Hear Janie’s incredibly motivational story of how her Team created economic strength for both the Choctaw Nation and all of Southeastern Oklahoma and its now vibrant communities. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear her message firsthand on how “a Will, a Vision, and a Plan” was transformed into a driving force for Oklahoma and our Radio and TV advertising business. Recommended for all Broadcasting Mangers and Sales personnel.
2:30pm–4:00pm
Radio Sales Ideas: Outstanding Commercials Generated by AI Methods
Fletcher Ford, Radio Workflow
AI brings some fantastic opportunities for radio broadcasters. A huge advantage of AI is in the production of high-quality commercials for your local advertisers. This AI technology allows you to create and produce spots that are superior and effective, making your station the go-to for quality advertising and quality results. Fletcher Ford from Radio Workflow, provider of software for sales, traffic, production and traffic for radio stations, will have an intensely interactive session on how to immediately create winning commercials in a hands-on session. See and hear how you will elevate your marketing and earn more advertisers. Recommended for all broadcasters who want to use AI to produce better content.
2:30pm–4:00pm
OBEA Student Awards Presentation
3:00pm–4:00pm
Pistols Firing: Radio and Video Streaming Play-By-Play Roundtable
Dave Hunziker, Voice of OSU
Join Dave Hunziker—the Voice of OSU Cowboys since 2002—as he and his Team describe how they produce and deliver an Award-Winning Play-By-Play broadcast. Learn how they coordinate the various components of the game, how they technically deliver the product, and how they accurately report on the contest. This is an opportunity to share their techniques, see their broadcast boards, and spend time with these very talented sportscasters in a Q&A format. Recommended for all Sportscasters of radio and video streaming play-by-play.
4:00pm–4:45pm
Washington Update
David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
David Oxenford, Partner with Wilkinson Barker Knauer and the OAB’s Washington counsel, will present his annual “Check-Up” on the challenges and opportunities we face in the ever-changing legal world. This session is a must to make sure you are on-track in our highly regulated industry. For all Managers and Business Personnel.
4:45pm–5:15pm
Annual Membership Meeting
6:30pm–7:00pm
Awards Reception
7:00pm–9:30pm
Achievement Awards Banquet
We will honor the outstanding work done by our radio and television members in 2024.