Grassroots Radio Conference • Pensacola, Florida
Registration opens and the GRC community begins gathering in Pensacola. A series of videos will be screening in the theatre.
A screening and discussion exploring the people, places, traditions, and musical communities that make regional music culture worth documenting and preserving. Presenter: Maureen Gosling
Sprouts live from GRC 2026. A live radio episode connecting Pensacola music history, cultural preservation, and community radio. Presenters: Rick Putze, Sean
A 30-minute work-in-progress documentary tracing Free Radio Pensacola from its beginnings in 2000 through the 2026 Grassroots Radio Conference and WPNX launch. Presenters: Pete Tridish, Lena Charles, Govinda, Dave Dondero
Evening gathering before the live performance.
Live music as part of the opening-night GRC 2026 gathering.
Opening night — film, live radio & music
Pensacola, FL · Registration opens and the GRC community begins gathering in Pensacola. A series of videos will be screening in the theatre.
Theatre · A screening and discussion exploring the people, places, traditions, and musical communities that make regional music culture worth documenting and preserving. Presenter: Maureen Gosling
Live broadcast / Theatre · Sprouts live from GRC 2026. A live radio episode connecting Pensacola music history, cultural preservation, and community radio. Presenters: Rick Putze, Sean
Theatre · A 30-minute work-in-progress documentary tracing Free Radio Pensacola from its beginnings in 2000 through the 2026 Grassroots Radio Conference and WPNX launch. Presenters: Pete Tridish, Lena Charles, Govinda, Dave Dondero
End of the Line Café · Evening gathering before the live performance.
End of the Line Café · Live music as part of the opening-night GRC 2026 gathering.
Keynote & full day of sessions
Theatre · How can neighboring communities use local radio content as a regional mesh network? This keynote connects technology and policy with the culture being communicated. Presenter: Nashid Madyun
Classroom 02 · A conversation about independent media, democratic participation, and the responsibilities of community broadcasters. Presenters: Spencer Graves, Mark Alian Dery, Ursula Ruedenberg
Classroom 01 · A practical LPFM toolkit for people who want to start, strengthen, or understand a low-power FM station. Presenter: Paul Arndt
Theatre · A practical session on underwriting rules, grant opportunities, local funding relationships, and the community relationships that help sustain a station. Presenters: Rick Outzen, Nashid Madyun
Various
Various
Theatre · How can a radio broadcast become a national event, fundraising mechanism, and network-building tool? Presenter: Dr. Tim Craig
Classroom 01 · A candid, practical look at the technical problems that appear in community radio. Presenter: Pete Tridish
Classroom 02 · How can community radio use audience, programming, and operational data without allowing metrics to replace mission? Presenter: Randi Zimmerman
Classroom 02 · A firsthand look at radio, community response, and communication during severe weather and disaster. Presenter: Virginia Todd
Lobby · An informal conversation about FM translators, station opportunities, and technical questions. Presenters: Paul Bame, Bennet Kobb, William Bilancio
Outdoors · Explore mobile, remote, and off-grid approaches to community radio. Presenters: Govinda, Bvlbancha Liberation Radio
Theatre · A screening and conversation about Les Blank's film about the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. Presenters: Maureen Gosling, Sean
Classroom 01 · A practical introduction to producing podcast-ready audio from community radio work. Presenters: Ursula Ruedenberg, Stephanie Schubert
Museum Plaza / Outdoors · Presenters: Katie Dineen, Devan Dunlap, Savannah Campbell, Eric Melvin
Closing day & WPNX 107.7 FM launch party
Classroom 01 · Automation can support scheduling, continuity, programming, and staffing without stripping a station of personality. Presenter: David Klann
Classroom 02 · A practical look at emergency alerting and cybersecurity as essential parts of station resilience. Presenters: Benn Kobb, William Bilancio
Theatre · How can independent producers distribute programs nationally without depending on grant-funded infrastructure? Presenter: Jaimie Dell'Apa
Theatre · What makes a great radio DJ? Explore voice, pacing, music selection, mic technique, personality, and audience connection. Presenters: Steve Cook, Ethan A.D., Blythe of the Ball
Classroom 01 · A look at grassroots radio activism, organizing, and the role of independent broadcasting in movements for community power. Presenter: Jim "Radio" Ellinger
Classroom 02 · Learn approaches to recruiting, welcoming, supporting, and retaining volunteers. Presenters: Sharon Scott, Max Kelley
Classroom 01 · Learn how community radio producers can move programs between stations and build audiences beyond a single transmitter. Presenters: Ursula Ruedenberg, Stephanie Schubert
Classroom 02 / Outdoors · A closing roundtable on radio as essential community infrastructure. Presenters: WPMV Asheville, Jim "Radio" Ellinger, Govinda, Bvlbancha Liberation Radio
Theatre · A conversation with the next generation of college broadcasters about where student radio is headed. Presenter: WTUL
Theatre · A final conversation drawing together governance, fundraising, volunteers, station culture, and transmission arts. Presenters: Ken Freedman, Sharon Scott, Max Kelley
Venue TBD · WPNX Launch Party
Venue TBD · WPNX Launch Party - Evening Performance
Venue TBD · WPNX Launch Party - Evening Performance
Venue TBD · WPNX Launch Party - Evening Celebration