LION Publishers Summit

Publishers will experience ‘A New Vibe for Local News’ at the LION Summit in Music City, Nashville, Oct. 24-26, 2019

Nashville, Tenn. – Mark down Thursday through Saturday, October 24-26, 2019, on your calendar as Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers announces a new venue for its annual conference at Music City in Nashville, Tenn. The summit of news entrepreneurs and industry experts will support 200-plus publishers who are critical to rebuilding local news in communities across the U.S.

“This is the first time that our annual summit has been outside of Chicago – the city where we were founded,” said Kelly Gilfillan, publisher at F W Publishing and LION Board of Directors Chair. “We are excited to move this year’s meeting to Nashville’s Music City Center, where attendees can experience a dynamic conference program and also enjoy the best Nashville has to offer – from amazing live music on every corner, to fabulous food and drink, to art and music museums.”

With more than 100 new restaurants and bars added in 2017 alone, plus a myriad of attractions that include the Nashville Studio Tour and the Frist Art Museum, it’s no wonder that Nashville was named “The Hottest Travel Destination of 2018.”

Best of all, the conference organizers are planning dozens of informative sessions aimed at providing both veteran and novice online news publishers — and their editorial, revenue and tech teams — with ideas they can use for creating and sustaining revenue as well as excellent journalism. More information on specific programming will be released in the coming weeks, but the annual summit will feature three days packed with speakers, panel discussions and networking opportunities devoted to revenue ideas and best practices, new technology and the craft of reporting, community engagement and sustainability.

LION Publishers has nearly 250 members in 47 states and Washington, D.C., representing both for-profit and nonprofit business models — all independently owned and operated and devoted to local journalism.

In previous years, 200 or more publishers, editors, academics, foundation representatives, industry experts and vendors have attended our conferences in Chicago. In 2019, you won't want to miss the vigorous exchange of ideas and tested, real-world tips for success in local journalism. Previous LION gatherings have been an excellent source of information and networking for experienced publishers as well as  journalists who have recently launched their own local news sites or are considering it. With a wide diversity of membership, and some publishers who have been in operation for more than a decade, LION Publishers brings together the best business and reporting minds in local online news.

Registration is available here:

http://www.lionpublishers.com/conference/register/

Lodging has already been secured for those who want to start making their travel plans. LION Publishers has arranged for blocks of rooms for Oct. 24-26 at two locations: the Cambria Nashville Downtown, just a block from Music City Center, at a special discounted rate of $249 for single and double rooms. Guests can either call the reservations desk at (800) 424-6423 and request the rate for Lion Publishers, mention “LION Group,” or use the link below:

https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/BL92R2

The deadline for obtaining that rate is Sept. 27, 2019, but the block of rooms will be filled up by then, so act soon. The group rate will be honored up to three days before and after the conference for those who wish to spend some extra time in Nashville. If you wish to book additional dates outside of the three day LION Summit window, please do so directly by calling Rick Rodriguez, Cambria Group Sales Manager, at (616) 515-5807.

Nearby accommodations are also available at the Comfort Inn, 1501 Demonbreun St., Nashville, TN 37203, six blocks from the conference venue. Phone: (615) 356-0888

For sponsorship, partnership and speaker opportunities, contact Mark Glaser at LION Publishers at markglaser@lionpublishers.com or (415) 235-7838.