As we’re fast approaching this year’s PBS Annual Meeting (May 16-18), we’re taking a look at the exciting and interactive breakout sessions as part of the Development Track.

State of Fundraising

Tuesday, May 17 – 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM Huron
We’ll take an overview of the current state of fundraising- where we are today, emerging trends and new philanthropic opportunities. What does this mean for stations at the local level and for the system as whole? How do we navigate a new era of digital and personal connections to build stronger, local partnerships and ensure stations are financially sustainable in the future?
Audience: Development and Fundraising; Station Strategy, Management, and Operations

The Rewards of Taking the Risk
Tuesday, May 17 – 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM Ontario
Calling all GM’s – grab your CDO and come to this session. Hear from your peers how they challenged themselves to take great risk and achieved great success! You’ll find out how they allocated the right resources to emerging fundraising techniques allowing them to adapt to the changing media landscape and to flourish. Learn from their successes and discover new opportunities gained by integrating and supporting creative risk into development strategy.
Audience: Development and Fundraising; Leadership; Station Strategy, Management, and Operations

Relational Fundraising, It Starts at the Top!
Tuesday, May 17 – 1:55 PM to 2:55 PM Ontario
Investing in building personal fundraising relationships is a strategy that continues to drives new and sustainable revenue to stations. A common thread in this fundraising approach is the role of the chief executive officer. GMs are not only serving as closers on major solicitations but also as leaders who can cultivate deeper relationships with individuals, foundations, and businesses. Attend this session and you will hear how GMs are taking on dedicated fundraising roles and securing transformational gifts as a result. This conversation is sure to spark big ideas that can be managed and replicated at any station – large or small.
Audience: Community Engagement and Partnerships; Development and Fundraising; Leadership; Station Strategy, Management, and Operations

Passport & Beyond
Tuesday, May 17 – 1:55 PM to 2:55 PM Huron
PBS Digital and Development Services will look at where we are today, how we got to now, and where we are going next with Passport. The PBS and stations partnership builds on the foundation for a digital future. Join us for review of performance metrics, vision, and roadmap for furthering local financial sustainability efforts. Stations will share lessons learned and tips to leverage the member benefit at the local level.
Audience: Business Intelligence; Development and Fundraising; Digital, Social Media and Web

Innovative Fundraising Strategies to Acquire New Donors
Wednesday, May 18 – 3:25 PM to 4:25 PM Huron
The fundraising landscape has changed. As our audience consumes content across a variety platforms, innovative fundraising strategies to engage new audiences are critical to your station’s financial sustainability. Hear from three stations that have had success at engaging new audiences, building warm prospects, and thinking outside the box in unique and meaningful ways. Attendees will break into smaller groups to dive deeper into campaign tactics, explore emerging fundraising strategies, and exchange ideas to take home and implement.
Audience: Development and Fundraising

Don’t miss Development Services staff presenting in the following:

Leveraging the series THE VIETNAM WAR
Tuesday, May 17 – 11:15 AM to 12:15 AM Michigan A&B
THE VIETNAM WAR, a film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, coming to PBS in 2017, represents a significant and unique opportunity for PBS stations to inspire a new conversation about a divisive period in our history. Filmmakers Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein will share their approach to a project that will present a groundbreaking 360-degree narrative of the war, telling the story from all sides, as it has never before been told. Member stations and PBS staff will share insights from research, tools, timelines and plans for outreach and support, and get input from stations on how PBS’s local/national model can work best around this important film.
Audience: Community Engagement and Partnerships; Content Marketing; Development and Fundraising; Digital, Social Media and Web

The Message Breaks Through When It’s A Chorus
Wednesday, May 18 – 2:20 PM to 3:20 PM Mayfair
Are you challenged with ways to tell your station’s “education story” and generate fundraising results? In this session you’ll learn how stations are linking communications, community engagement, and fundraising strategies to support children’s and educational content and services, and brainstorm some ideas of your own.
Audience: Community Engagement and Partnerships; Development and Fundraising; Education and LearningMedia; KIDS and Parents; Public Relations and Communications; Station Strategy, Management, and Operations

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Non-Commercialism* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)
Wednesday, May 18 – 3:25 PM to 4:25 PM Ontario
Let’s discuss how recent audience research conducted by PBS can inform sales strategies and spot creation in a way that can translate into increased revenue. Join PBS Development Services and Standards & Practices for this lively discussion – come with stories and information to share about what sponsors in your community are saying about partnering with public television.
Audience: Development and Fundraising

Get more information about the 2016 PBS Annual Meeting including the latest Agenda
Amanda Hoehn | Assistant Director, Station Relations & Outreach | PBS Development Services