For immediate release
May 12, 1998


Communications and Technology Visionaries To Discuss Public Radio's Future
Public Radio Conference May 29-June 2 in San Francisco

Washington, DC – Communications and technology leaders specializing in lifestyle and population trends, the Internet, satellite distribution, high-quality sound and radio documentaries will discuss the future direction of public radio at this year's Public Radio Conference (PRC) Public Radio and the New Millennium, beginning May 29th in San Francisco. Scheduled to appear are Yahoo! Inc. co-founder Jerry Yang, trend forecaster Judith Langer, audio wizard Tomlinson Holman of THX, acclaimed Canadian Broadcasting Corporation producer Mark Starowicz and D.K. Sachdev of satellite distributor WorldSpace. The PRC, coordinated and managed by National Public Radio (NPR), will be held at the San Francisco Hilton and Towers at 333 O'Farrell Street, May 29th to June 2nd .

This year's PRC will also feature NPR President and Chief Executive Officer Del Lewis' farewell address to NPR's member station representatives during the Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, June 1st. Lewis will step down in August, with Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter Jablow stepping in as Interim President and CEO.

Renowned for its journalistic excellence and providing standard-setting news, information and cultural programming, NPR serves a growing audience of 13 million Americans each week on 600 member stations.

Public Radio Conference Highlights

Saturday, May 30th

9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Opening General Session: Trend forecaster and researcher Judith Langer of Langer Associates, Inc., will outline upcoming population and lifestyle trends and their significant impact on public radio's audience.

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Engineering Keynote: Audio wizard Tomlinson Holman of THX, known for his work with Lucasfilm, will discuss the cutting edge of high-quality audio and how it can enhance public radio programming in the future.

Sunday, May 31st

7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Engineering Breakfast: D.K. Sachdev of worldwide satellite distributor WorldSpace will talk about 21st century opportunities for global public radio distribution.

Noon to 1:15 p.m. NPR News Lunch: (Sounds Like Science host Ira Flatow and special correspondent Joe Palca will open with an "electric" lunchtime science experiment.)

Acclaimed public broadcasting producer Mark Starowicz of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation will present his provocative vision of public radio programming for the millennium. Starowicz created As It Happens and numerous documentaries.

Monday, June 1

9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. NPR Annual Membership Meeting: Featuring NPR President and CEO Del Lewis' farewell address to NPR member station representatives.

12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch with Yahoo!: Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo! Inc., the Internet media company, will emphasize the strategic importance of convergence among public radio, new media, and emerging technologies.

National Public Radio, a membership organization of 591 public radio stations nationwide, produces and distributes the award-winning programs All Things Considered®, Talk of the Nation®, Weekend Edition® and NPR's Performance Today®.