Convention
Convention Speakers
Jeff Schmidt
Keynote
Jeff Schmidt is Senior Vice President of Professional Development for the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), where he leads the organization’s training and professional development initiatives for broadcasters across North America. A dynamic keynote speaker, sales strategist, and leadership coach, Jeff helps media professionals develop the confidence, mindset, and skills needed to thrive in an evolving industry.
With more than three decades of experience in radio sales and management, Jeff has served as a salesperson, sales manager, market manager, and regional vice president, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges facing today’s media organizations. He is widely recognized for helping sales professionals shift from product-focused selling to becoming trusted advisors who deliver meaningful business solutions.
Known for his engaging, interactive presentations, Jeff combines practical strategies, real-world experience, and forward-thinking insights on leadership, sales, and emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—to inspire audiences to think differently and perform at a higher level. His personal philosophy, “Think Big. Make Big Things Happen,” is reflected in every presentation as he challenges attendees to grow personally and professionally while achieving greater success.
John George
FCC Complaince, Engineering
John George has worked in the broadcasting industry for over 50 years during which he provided technical services to many southeastern US radio stations. He has over 25 years sales experience with Harris Corporation, Dielectric Communications and RF Specialties. He serves as Chairman of the South Carolina Broadcasters Association and the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Engineering Committee and spearheaded the development of the SCBA’s Alternative Broadcast.
Jeff Welton
Broadcast Technology, Engineering
Info coming soon.
David Oxenford
FCC Regulatory & Legal Issues, Engineering
David Oxenford is a partner in Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP’s Washington, DC office. David has represented broadcasters for over 25 years on a wide array of matters from purchases and sales of broadcast properties and the negotiation of programming agreements to regulatory matters. His regulatory expertise includes all areas of broadcast law including the FCC’s multiple ownership limitations, the political broadcasting rules, EEO policy, advertising issues, and other programming matters. He also represents webcasters and other digital media companies, including serving as counsel to a webcast trade association, and representing internet radio companies on copyright, music licensing and other issues.
Nicole Gustafson
Industry Advocacy & Policy, Engineering
Nicole Gustafson is the senior vice president of Government Relations and senior legislative counsel at NAB. She joined NAB in February 2017. Gustafson previously spent 11 years on Capitol Hill and two years at the National Football League. She now advocates for the nation’s broadcasters to federal government officials.
In Congress, Gustafson served as a senior advisor on judiciary, homeland security, intelligence and education issues and also worked with external coalitions. She served as coalitions director and counsel to Majority Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01); senior policy advisor and chief counsel to former Majority Leader/Minority Whip Eric Cantor (VA-07); policy director and counsel for then-Republican Conference Vice Chair Sen. John Cornyn (TX); Senate Judiciary Committee counsel to Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA); and director of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus and legislative counsel to Rep. Steve King (IA-04). Before working in Congress, she practiced constitutional law with Bopp, Coleson & Bostrom.
Gustafson serves on the boards of the Federalist Society, Capital Area Iowa Club and the William Penn University Alumni Association. She has bachelor’s degrees in American history/government and communications from William Penn University and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law. An Iowa native and proud Hawkeye, she now resides in Arlington, Va.
Info coming soon
Ryan Dohrn
Sales
Ryan Dohrn is an Emmy Award-winning media revenue consultant, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and founder of Brain Swell Media and the 360 Ad Sales Training System. Since 2008, he has advised more than 500 media companies and trained over 30,000 advertising sales professionals worldwide.
A 30-year media veteran, Ryan has held leadership roles with organizations including The New York Times Company, Disney, Cumulus, Citadel Communications, and Morris Publishing. He also holds a Psychology of Leadership Certification from Cornell University.
Unlike many sales trainers, Ryan continues to sell advertising every day, bringing real-world strategies and current industry experience to every presentation. A featured expert in USA Today and Forbes.com, Ryan speaks at more than 60 conferences annually and has helped generate more than $1 billion in advertising sales and sponsorship revenue. His practical, high-energy sessions provide immediately actionable ideas for media sales professionals.
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