Student Broadcast and Sports Seminar
Student Schedule
9:00 AM
Registration
Foyer
10:00 AM
Welcome Orientation
Presentation of Hod Humiston Award
Tower Club East
10:30 AM
Keynote Address
Take off the Mask: Is Your Life Story Worth Telling? with Dan Meers
It’s been said that if you ask a man his occupation you will find out how he pays his bills, but if you ask a man his preoccupation then you will discover the passion of his life. Dan Meers has a rather unique occupation. For over 25 years he has paid his bills by working as “KC Wolf” the mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Dan’s preoccupation, what he is truly passionate about is encouraging others to strive for the best in life and to enjoy it each and every step along the way. Dan believes that your life is like a Coin. You can spend it anyway you wish but you will only get to spend it one time, so spend it wisely. During this presentation Dan shares some of the valuable lessons he’s learned during his long career as a professional mascot. Whether at home, work or in the community, Dan challenges his audience to live each day to the fullest by wisely investing their lives and not just spending them.
Tower Club East
11:00 AM – NOON
Speed Networking
Building Connections for Your Future
Looking to kickstart your career in broadcasting? Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry professionals during our Speed Networking event. This fast-paced, interactive session allows students to meet one-on-one with broadcasters from various fields, including on-air talent, production, sales, and more.
Discover insights into their day-to-day roles, hear advice on breaking into the industry and learn about potential internship and job opportunities. Whether you’re exploring career options or ready to take the next step, this is your chance to make valuable connections and gain insider knowledge to help shape your future.
Tower Club East
NOON – 1:15 PM
Activities Fair and Luncheon
Featuring Teleprompter Reads, On-Air Practice, Calling Games, and more!
Tower Club West
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Breakout Sessions | Career/Podcast/Sports
Broadcasting’s Backbone: Discovering Careers Behind the Scenes
with Brian Johnston (Sponsorship Focus), Ronnie Hawkins (KCTV)
You’re probably familiar with the public facing jobs in broadcasting, but did you know about the full cast of broadcasters working behind the scenes to make a successful broadcast and broadcast organization? Meet a few of them in this panel discussion.
Location: TBD
Podcasting That Pops: Standing Out in a Crowded Market
with Jodi Newsome and Lexi Osborne
With an ever-expanding catalog of podcasts, how can you ensure yours stands out? Join Jodi and Lexi who’ve successfully launched and marketed their podcast "Kingdom's Queens" to learn about strategies that work. This session will dive into creative approaches to content creation, effective marketing techniques, and how to carve out your unique niche in a crowded field.
Location: TBD
Preparation to Performance: Play-by-Play Fundamentals
with Brian Hanni, Wyatt Thompson, and Dan Israel
Play-by-play announcing is a key aspect when broadcasting a live game, providing vital insight to the moment-by-moment action of the sport, as well as developing stories behind-the-scenes. That is why the KAB has created the session Play-by-Play Announcing. This session demonstrates how to professionally prepare for a game as a play-by-play announcer, how to successfully work with an analyst or reporter, how to use proper tone and inflection, and the important aspects of play-by-play announcing during a live broadcast
Location: TBD
See Tabs
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Breakout Sessions | Career/Social Media/Sports
Breakthrough in Broadcasting: What Employers Really Want
with Justin Fluke (MSC), Roxanne Marati (Audacy), Dan O'Donnell (KMBC), and Jesse Fray (KSNT)
In today's competitive media landscape, landing a job or an internship in broadcasting requires more than just a polished resume and reel. What exactly are broadcasters looking for when they make hiring decisions? Learn from hiring executives about the key qualities, skills, and experiences that can set candidates apart to land the job or the internship
Location: TBD

How the Media is Using Social Media
with Kramer Sansone (Audacy) and Matt Self (KSNT)
Explore the dynamic relationship between broadcast radio and social media platforms, examining how news & entertainment organizations are leveraging social networks to reach broader audiences, engage with viewers, and shape public discourse. We'll delve into strategies used by media companies to harness the power of social media for content distribution, audience interaction, and brand building. Gain insights into the evolving landscape of journalism and the ethical considerations that arise in the intersection of media and social media.
Location: TBD
TICO Sports
with Cici Rojas (Tico Sports)
Session description coming soon!
Location: TBD
See Tabs
4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
Dr. Ian Punnett Award Presentation
Student Awards Presentations
Tower Club East
4:50 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Tower Club East
6:40 PM
Kansas City Royals vs. Colorado Rockies
Kauffman Stadium