PBS Insider Experience – Annual Meeting Recap

The PBS Insider Experience is a track of unique experiences exclusively for station supporters (board members, major donors, and prospective major donors). This track is designed to help station supporters gain an even deeper understanding of the value and impact of public television programs and services in their local communities. PBS Insiders have full access to the conference, as well as a series of exciting exclusive events that allow them to hear first-hand from PBS leadership, talent and producers. Here is a rundown of the special Insider track enjoyed by the station supporters:

Insiders were joined by PBS President & CEO Paula Kerger and WYES Producer & Host Peggy Scott Laborde for an exclusive gathering to welcome them to PBS Annual Meeting. This session included Insider tips on New Orleans from Peggy and a chance to ask Paula for the inside scoop on the inner workings of PBS! From there, PBS Insiders joined the second line to the Opening Reception at House of Blues New Orleans! They had a blast with the Rockin’ Dopsie Jr & The Zydeco Twisters band, traditional creole cuisine, and a few drinks.

Insiders were joined by Marsha Bemko, Executive Producer of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW and Appraiser Arlie Sulka for a behind-the-scenes look into creating and producing PBS’ most-watched ongoing series. This session included an interactive inside look into what it’s like being on a show that’s part adventure, part history lesson, and part treasure hunt.

Insiders were joined by Lesli Rotenberg, PBS Senior Vice President & General Manager, Children’s Media & Education, and Sara Schapiro, PBS Vice President of Education, to explore how PBS supports the entire ecosystem in which young children learn, including their parents, caregivers and educators. This session included insight into how PBS leverages the power of media to help all children reach their full potential.

Rita Moreno was our special guest for a memorable evening at The Chicory. Moreno has won all four of the most prestigious awards in show business: the Oscar, the Tony, two Emmys, and a Grammy. After cocktails and dinner, Paula Kerger, PBS President and CEO led Moreno in an interview full of stories, music, laughs, and a truly inside view to Hollywood & Broadway!

Insiders were joined by Fred Kaufman, Executive Producer of NATURE for an inside view of one of the most watched documentary film series on public television. NATURE delivers the best in original natural history films to audiences nationwide. This session included a sneak peak of upcoming NATURE programs and a special guest visit from Mr. Miyagi, a Eurasian Eagle-Owl from the Audubon Zoo.

Insiders were joined by three dynamic PBS NEWSHOUR correspondents – Yamiche Alcindor, White House correspondent; Lisa Desjardins, who reports regularly from Capitol Hill; and Amna Nawaz, who will substitute at the anchor desk and serve as a national correspondent. This session included first first-hand experience of what it’s like to be part of one of the most trusted news programs on television.

We encourage you to invite your special guests to join our growing community of station supporters with various events throughout the year. Here is a quick glance at the PBS Insider Experiences still to come:

September 12-13, 2018; Chicago, IL | A TASTE OF CHICAGO | Join Geoffrey Baer, Host of the 10 That Changed Americaseries for a river tour and get a taste of Chicago by dining in Chef Rick Bayless’ exclusive Library Room & Test Kitchen while chatting with the chef himself!
Winter 2019; New York, NY | LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER | Live From Lincoln Center is a cornerstone of performing arts broadcasting. Join us in NYC this Winter for a show and chat with Executive Producer Andrew Wilk.
Spring 2019; Washington, DC | GERSHWIN PRIZE | Take part in a day of exclusive events that ends with a live taping of the 2019 Gershwin Prize (Honoree TBA). Insiders will get special access to the Library of Congress and an intimate chat with one of our news and public affairs journalists.
May 29-31, 2019; Nashville, TN | PBS Annual Meeting | Save the date! Next year we will meet in the Country Music Capital of the World. PBS Insiders get insider-access to upcoming programming, PBS leadership, producers and talent during the specially curated PBS Insider Experience sessions and dinner.