by Paul Distefano; Northeast Regional Sales Manager, DeSisti
A Milestone Year for JAG and Me
This year’s Jersey Access Group Conference on May 14 and 15 wasn’t just another annual gathering—it marked a major milestone: JAG’s 25th anniversary. What a way to celebrate! From the Anniversary Banquet with inspiring speeches from founding members, to the energy and quality of the sessions. With all the connections made throughout the two days, clearly the JAG Conference Committee hit the mark in a big way.
As you know, as an early vendor supporter of JAG, I have been privileged to be part of this conference from its inception. I’ve also attended a fair share of other organizations’ conferences over the years, and I can honestly say that this one stood out—not only because it celebrated JAG’s quarter-century of advocating for community media, but because it showed that the organization is listening, evolving, and growing in all the right ways.
A Conference with Something for Every Attendee
One of the most noticeable improvements this year was how the conference was structured. It was clear that thoughtful changes had been implemented to balance the needs of all our attendees—members, organizational members, and associated vendors alike. There’s always a tricky balancing act when you’re trying to serve multiple groups under one roof, but the committee pulled it off smoothly.
For those representing municipalities and station staff, the expanded lineup of workshops was a huge win. It was evident that member feedback had been taken seriously. Attendees had more opportunities to dive deep into the nuts and bolts of technical workflows, production strategies, and legislative updates that directly impact operations. Whether you were looking for guidance on IP video transport or navigating state-level regulations, the sessions delivered valuable, actionable information. Even more importantly, they sparked some meaningful conversations outside the conference rooms—those spontaneous hallway chats that often end up being just as insightful as the sessions.
On the vendor side, the changes were equally well received. Giving vendors more time and space to demonstrate their products and engage with attendees in a less rushed environment paid off.
It wasn’t just a parade of sales pitches; it felt more like a collaborative exchange. Vendors had time to explain their solutions, answer questions in depth, and even learn a thing or two from the real-world challenges JAG members face every day.
That mutual respect and understanding between product developers and users is something that sets our conference apart. The vibe throughout both days was one of shared purpose. Everyone in the room—whether a veteran station manager or a first-time attendee—seemed to understand that we’re all part of something bigger. That’s the spirit JAG has fostered for 25 years, and it was alive and well at this event.
Credit is due to the entire conference committee for putting together such a strong program and engaging experience. Planning an event of this scale is not easy, especially when you’re juggling so many expectations and trying to innovate at the same time. But the results spoke for themselves: workshop rooms with engaged members, active vendor booths, and a clear sense that everyone walked away with something of value.
A Moment to Reflect on What We Achieved
Of course, the 25th anniversary gave us all a moment to reflect on just how far JAG has come. What started as a small, grassroots effort to support local access and community media in New Jersey has grown into a dynamic organization with a real voice in the state and beyond.
The conference was a celebration of that history, but more importantly, it was a reminder that the work we all do matters. That message was felt in the sessions, the networking, and the overall tone of the event. If there’s one takeaway from this year’s conference, it’s that JAG is not just celebrating the past, it’s actively shaping the future.
By listening to its members, collaborating with partners, and adapting to new media landscapes, JAG continues to stay relevant and impactful.
On a personal note, I would like to say that I am happy to have been a part of this from the early days and I am privileged to work with such dedicated people. I am impressed with the way JAG has evolved in the past 25 years. I am proud to have been at least a small part of its success. I know that I can speak on behalf of the other organizational members who shared the experience over this past quarter-century in stating that, along the way, we hope we have been helpful.
Oh, and Lee…… It’s not DeSantis…… IT’S DE SISTI. LOL!
Here’s to the next 25 years!Note: Paul Distefano partnered with JAG to produce JAG’s first conference. JAG is proud of the relationship that we built with Paul. His contribution is and continues to be a major component in JAG’s success.
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Reflections on a Milestone: JAG’s 25th Anniversary Conference Reflections on a Milestone:
Posted: July 23, 2025 by Doug Seidel
by Paul Distefano; Northeast Regional Sales Manager, DeSisti
A Milestone Year for JAG and Me
This year’s Jersey Access Group Conference on May 14 and 15 wasn’t just another annual gathering—it marked a major milestone: JAG’s 25th anniversary. What a way to celebrate! From the Anniversary Banquet with inspiring speeches from founding members, to the energy and quality of the sessions. With all the connections made throughout the two days, clearly the JAG Conference Committee hit the mark in a big way.
As you know, as an early vendor supporter of JAG, I have been privileged to be part of this conference from its inception. I’ve also attended a fair share of other organizations’ conferences over the years, and I can honestly say that this one stood out—not only because it celebrated JAG’s quarter-century of advocating for community media, but because it showed that the organization is listening, evolving, and growing in all the right ways.
A Conference with Something for Every Attendee
One of the most noticeable improvements this year was how the conference was structured. It was clear that thoughtful changes had been implemented to balance the needs of all our attendees—members, organizational members, and associated vendors alike. There’s always a tricky balancing act when you’re trying to serve multiple groups under one roof, but the committee pulled it off smoothly.
For those representing municipalities and station staff, the expanded lineup of workshops was a huge win. It was evident that member feedback had been taken seriously. Attendees had more opportunities to dive deep into the nuts and bolts of technical workflows, production strategies, and legislative updates that directly impact operations. Whether you were looking for guidance on IP video transport or navigating state-level regulations, the sessions delivered valuable, actionable information. Even more importantly, they sparked some meaningful conversations outside the conference rooms—those spontaneous hallway chats that often end up being just as insightful as the sessions.
On the vendor side, the changes were equally well received. Giving vendors more time and space to demonstrate their products and engage with attendees in a less rushed environment paid off.
It wasn’t just a parade of sales pitches; it felt more like a collaborative exchange. Vendors had time to explain their solutions, answer questions in depth, and even learn a thing or two from the real-world challenges JAG members face every day.
That mutual respect and understanding between product developers and users is something that sets our conference apart. The vibe throughout both days was one of shared purpose. Everyone in the room—whether a veteran station manager or a first-time attendee—seemed to understand that we’re all part of something bigger. That’s the spirit JAG has fostered for 25 years, and it was alive and well at this event.
Credit is due to the entire conference committee for putting together such a strong program and engaging experience. Planning an event of this scale is not easy, especially when you’re juggling so many expectations and trying to innovate at the same time. But the results spoke for themselves: workshop rooms with engaged members, active vendor booths, and a clear sense that everyone walked away with something of value.
A Moment to Reflect on What We Achieved
Of course, the 25th anniversary gave us all a moment to reflect on just how far JAG has come. What started as a small, grassroots effort to support local access and community media in New Jersey has grown into a dynamic organization with a real voice in the state and beyond.
The conference was a celebration of that history, but more importantly, it was a reminder that the work we all do matters. That message was felt in the sessions, the networking, and the overall tone of the event. If there’s one takeaway from this year’s conference, it’s that JAG is not just celebrating the past, it’s actively shaping the future.
By listening to its members, collaborating with partners, and adapting to new media landscapes, JAG continues to stay relevant and impactful.
On a personal note, I would like to say that I am happy to have been a part of this from the early days and I am privileged to work with such dedicated people. I am impressed with the way JAG has evolved in the past 25 years. I am proud to have been at least a small part of its success. I know that I can speak on behalf of the other organizational members who shared the experience over this past quarter-century in stating that, along the way, we hope we have been helpful.
Oh, and Lee…… It’s not DeSantis…… IT’S DE SISTI. LOL!
Here’s to the next 25 years!Note: Paul Distefano partnered with JAG to produce JAG’s first conference. JAG is proud of the relationship that we built with Paul. His contribution is and continues to be a major component in JAG’s success.
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Category: Conference Reviews, Latest JAG News