Family-owned and independently operated newspapers are vital to their communities—but they face unique challenges: shifting revenue, limited resources, succession planning, and constant pressure to adapt.
The Family Owners Regional Roundtable, scheduled Sept. 18-19 at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort, is a fast-paced, meeting designed for publishers, owners, and key decision-makers in small and mid-sized markets. The cost is $50 per person, including Thursday dinner and Friday sessions.
The roundtable isn’t a sit-and-listen event—it’s a focused environment to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and walk away with practical strategies that work.
Who should attend?
The Sept. 18-19 roundtable is designed for decision-makers at family-owned and independently operated newspapers—especially those in small and mid-sized markets. If you’re leading the business today or preparing to take it on tomorrow, this roundtable is for you:
- Owners and publisher/operators involved in day-to-day leadership;
- Family members active in or preparing for succession;
- General managers and senior staff designated by ownership.
Membership in America’s Newspapers is not required to attend the roundtable.
Agenda highlights include:
Thursday, September 18
6 p.m. — Opening Reception & Family Owners Dinner: A casual dinner to connect and kick off the meeting.
Friday, September 19 (sessions run 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday)
• Evolving Small Market Newspapers: with Jeremy Gulban;
• Valuation & M&A Update: What your paper is worth—and why;
• Funding Local News: Philanthropy and grant opportunities;
• Policy Briefing: Regional and national issues impacting local newspapers;
• Revenue & Audience Exchanges: Share real wins and ideas with your peers; and
• Confidential Sessions: Focused discussions for owners and operators.
The regional roundtable is presented by America’s Newspapers with sponsorship from the America’s Newspapers Foundation, the Illinois Press Association and the Southern Newspapers Publishers Association.
Find out more and register at https://member.newspapers.org/familychicago25.html .
