Announcing The 2023 JAG Conference

By Geoff Belinfante, Conference Committee

JAG held its first conference in 2004 and this year we will celebrate our 18th conference.  The JAG Conference Committee is pleased to announce that the JAG Conference for 2023 will be held at the newly renovated Crowne Plaza in Edison on Thursday May 18th., so mark your calendar now.  The website where you can follow all the developments as the date approaches is simply www.jagconference.com

Although it’s only February, rest assured that the conference committee has been busy working on the plans for this year’s event, but there will be some very notable changes from past conferences.

We have consulted with many of our Organizational Members to provide insight in the develop of this year’s program.  The committee’s focus is to rework the conference from trying to bring people to a trade show to having an event that addresses the needs of our membership and strengthen the relationships of all levels of membership.

This year the conference will be a one day event combining sessions, user groups and vendors.  The workshops will not be streamed.  You have to be present to participate.  Many of the events will be held in the main room where there will be a stage for speakers and sessions.  There will be only one session presented at a time so participants don’t have to make any hard choices as to which workshop to attend.  The meals will also all be served in the main room which will give attendees a chance to network and get to know the vendors all at the same time. 

The committee has been hard at work planning interesting sessions that will include a legislative update on those matters of interest to our members; the ever-popular Social Media session that will provide tips on how to get the most out of your social media platforms; a look at new technology that can improve production and station operations, and a tips on lighting interviews at remote locations.  Details and guest panelists will be announced soon.

As we have for the past few years, the conference will be followed by the JAG Banquet and Award Celebration that will include a cocktail party, buffet dinner and of course the award ceremony itself celebrating the best in a variety of categories.  If you haven’t entered yet, please check out all the categories (and yes there are some new ones this year) in the JAG Award section of our website, and enter soon, the deadline for entries is February 28.

Once again this year we have to thank our organizational members for their continued support.  TelVue is our Diamond Level Sponsor, which means they are the general sponsor for the entire conference.  Varto Technologies will be the sponsor of the JAG banquet, and both TelVue and Varto Technologies will sponsor user group breakfasts.  Already committed to attending are LiveU, De Wolfe Music, DeSisti Lighting and Cologna Productions, with other vendors to be announced as the date approaches.

This year’s JAG Conference will offer ample time to network with your fellow JAG members and to discuss your equipment needs with the vendors.  We will also present our Legislator of the Year and Municipal Excellence Awards during lunch and the JAG Recognition Award at the banquet.

This year the cost of the Conference and the JAG Banquet is $160 per person for JAG members.  Your admission includes breakfast, keynote lunch, networking beverage breaks, and admission to the Cocktail Party, the Buffet Dinner and the JAG Awards.   Cocktails, three square meals, informative panels, the opportunity to meet with vendors, and a chance to network with your colleagues—The JAG Conference—an event that can’t be missed. For more information and the latest additions to our program, check out www.jagconference.com  and circle May 18th on your calendars.   Registration is now open.