The Western Association of Broadcasters (WAB) and BC Association of Broadcasters (BCAB) are getting set to usher in the future of local media, at the inaugural FWD Conference, June 3-4, in Kelowna.
BCAB President Kevin Gemmell says the theme of this year’s first-ever joint conference is in the name – FWD – and a spirit of moving forward as the broadcast and digital media space continues to evolve.
“FWD symbolizes progress, innovation, and a collective drive to move our industry forward,” added WAB President Caralee Parr. “This event will bring together media professionals, industry leaders, and creative thinkers to explore what’s next — from emerging technologies to new models of storytelling and audience engagement. Our Future Vision speaker series will feature voices both from within broadcasting and from parallel industries that have faced transformative change and emerged stronger, more innovative, and more connected.
Among the highly-anticipated presentations is an industry health check and economic forecast by Sarah Thompson, Executive Managing Director at Glassroom. Thompson will reveal the latest findings from the Canadian Media Means Business initiative, exploring a critical phenomenon known as the “Efficiency Trap” as digital advertising spending growth is expected to exceed that of consumer spending in 2026.
Programming consultant and talent coach Tracy Johnson will take the stage to address “Radio’s Next Era: The Leadership Decisions That Will Define Your Station’s Future,” breaking down the structural challenges facing stations today, while outlining a practical leadership approach using today’s tools, including smart ways to use AI.
Consultant and author Sean Ross will also present a session titled “Beyond Live & Local: How Radio Can Be In The Moment,” suggesting practical strategies for solidifying stations’ community bonds, while radio futurologist James Cridland will discuss global trends in radio and on-demand.
Other speakers set to address FWD include Radio Connects president Caroline Gianias, Canadian Broadcast Sales President Gerry Mackrell, Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) President Kevin Desjardins, Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) Chair Sylvie Courtemanche, and Ashish Agrawal, Founder and CEO of Eon Media Corp.
Beyond the speaker sessions, FWD Conference also marks a shift in how Western Canadian broadcast achievements are recognized. The event will serve as the backdrop for the newly-combined FWD Awards, unifying excellence across BCAB and WAB member stations.
Registration and the full schedule of events can be found at fwdconference.ca.
