The annual learning, meeting, and mingling event of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association.

Seminars

Programming/On-Air – 2PM

“The 14 Traits of Breakthrough Talent” and “Breakthrough Content” presented by Steve Wexler, W-E-X-L Coaching and Development

Two sessions for the price of one!

“The 14 Traits of Breakthrough Talent” is a designed for content creators and anyone who manages, coaches or recruits talent. We will reveal the 14 traits inherent in the very best TV, radio, and digital content creators. Armed with this knowledge, managers can coach and recruit talent in new and innovative ways to create more compelling and memorable content.

“Breakthrough Content” is a hands-on, practical session for anyone involved in content creation, including reporters, producers, on-air talent and content managers. So much of our radio and TV content looks and sounds the same…in this session, we’ll discuss a process that helps talent explore the incredible content possibilities around them, most of which never finds its way on the air. Understanding this will help our brands become more memorable, distinctive, and successful.

About Steve:

Steve Wexler (or “Wex” as he’s known) created a make-believe radio station (“W-E-X-L Radio”) in his bedroom when he was a kid and rode his bike to WTMJ in Milwaukee when he was 17 years old and asked if he could be on the air.

That began a career that has taken him from the control room to the board room and included on-air work before beginning his TV and Radio management journey in Milwaukee for Hearst (WISN) and in Portland, OR (KGW) and Seattle, WA (KING) for King Broadcasting. He returned home to Milwaukee and WTMJ as program director in 1993 for Journal Communications.  Journal promoted Steve to market manager positions in Tucson, AZ and Omaha, NE where he began overseeing TV and Radio markets, including regional oversight of TV operations in Lansing, MI; Boise, ID, Green Bay, WI, Tucson, AZ and as the VP/GM of KMTV-TV in Omaha, NE and WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee.

In 2012, he was named division head of the 36-station, 8-market Journal Radio Group, a position he held through Journal’s merger with Cincinnati-based E.W. Scripps. In 2018, he led the sale of the radio group to four separate companies, including Good Karma Brands in Milwaukee, where remained as vice president and market manager until late 2022, when he launched his own leadership and coaching consultancy: “W-E-X-L Coaching & Development”.  He continues his work with Good Karma Brands as their Leadership Coach, providing coaching and training for their sales and content teams across the country.

In 2024, Steve was tapped to serve as the interim CEO at Illinois-based Neuhoff Communications, providing leadership to the company during their management transition.

Steve is a frequent speaker at broadcast association conferences where he presents his “Wexcellence Tour” workshops on topics including leadership and culture; breakthrough talent and content; and building a winning sales culture.

Steve has served on the board of directors of the National Association of Broadcasters, the Radio Advertising Bureau and is a past Chair of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

Steve and his wife Amy live just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and have two children and two grandchildren.

 

Sales  – 2PM

Proposal Workshop… Simple Customized Proposals that are Guaranteed to Grow Your Revenue presented by Derron Steenbergen, Swagger Institute

Would you be interested in something that was guaranteed to raise your closing percentage, help you make more money and improve how you are viewed by your clients?  Certainly, we all agree that we would want to hear more.  Yet, there is a problem.  We often take the short cut that does not accomplish any of the things outlined above.  Delivering a customized proposal to a client that is based on information you have gathered and clearly outlines what they are trying to accomplish is the single most impactful thing a salesperson can do to grow revenue.  From gathering the information to delivering the proposal, this session will focus on simple steps to help you become better.  Oh, and you will hear the magic question that makes it all come together!  Recommended for all sellers and managers.

About Derron:

Derron Steenbergen is the President and Founder of the Swagger Institute. The Swagger Institute specializes in sales and leadership training, motivational speaking and business and nonprofit consulting. Derron is the founder and partner of The Ten Minute Trainer Network, the industry’s leader in broadcast training. He also spent nearly 30 years as the Chief Revenue Officer of Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation. Steenbergen’s career was built in sales, beginning as a local direct rep and advancing through the ranks of sales management. His years training sales people led to the formation of Swagger.

Recently Steenbergen saw a need to incorporate and adapt his sales expertise into winning strategies for the nonprofit arena, and formed Golden Rule Fundraising, the nonprofit division of Swagger Institute. Steenbergen enjoys teaching simple steps that can help sellers and fundraisers make more magic in their careers. His high energy, audience involved seminars are making huge impacts with people across the country, both in person and virtually.

Steenbergen has recently been called “the most relatable sales guy in the country,” and “the modern day Zig Ziglar.” He is also the past chair of the Kentucky Broadcasters Association where he served several years on the KBA board. He is active with many civic organizations throughout South Central Kentucky. Steenbergen is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, married to Krista Steenbergen and has three daughters, Logan, Lyn Dawsyn and Landry. When he is not working, Derron enjoys relaxing with a good cigar.

Networking Cocktail Reception – 5PM

MBA Annual Meeting – 6PM

Guests and Speakers

• • Jordan Walton – Executive Director, Massachusetts Broadcasters Association
  • Curtis LeGeyt – President/CEO, National Association of Broadcasters
  • Erin Callaghan – President of Enterprise Partnerships, Futuri

Entertainment

Alex Rohan, BMI Artist and Springfield native 

Born and raised in Springfield Massachusetts, independent artist and songwriter Alex Rohan has always had a passion for music.  Growing up with a family full of musicians, Alex had an interest early on. He began singing at a very young age and from there taught himself how to play guitar.

Rohan is not only a musician but also an esteemed song writer. His repertoire of original songs breaks barriers between genres through meaningful and expressive songwriting. His first solo EP entitled “Lancaster” debuted in 2021. Critics calling it a “mix of reggae and alternative” (Nantucket Inquire and Mirror), it includes “engulfing songs with intense instrumentals”.

Beyond playing his own originals, Alex’s live performances include covers of artists such as Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. His solo shows include rhythmic and lead guitar riffs with live looping that engage the audience. His smooth, soulful vocals aid in the genre-bending artists’ ability to please the audience.

As a BMI songwriter, he has appeared alongside other artists including Chris Young, Jelly Roll, and Riley Green in the Key West Songwriters Festival.

2024 Sound Bites Awards

Broadcaster of the Year – Joe Castiglione, WEEI

The Massachusetts Broadcasters Association will honor legendary WEEI Boston Red Sox radio play-by-play announcer Joe Castiglione with its prestigious Broadcaster of the Year Award at Sound Bites 2024.

Castiglione, who announced his retirement prior to the conclusion of the 2024 Red Sox season spent 42 seasons in the Red Sox booth, making him the longest tenured radio broadcaster in Red Sox history.

Joe Castiglione was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014, the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2015, and was named the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award winner, presented annually by the Hall of Fame for excellence in broadcasting, in 2024.