Schedule

8:00 am - 8:40 am Talmadge C

TelVue Corporation Users Group Breakfast- Sponsored by TelVue Corporation

presented by Jesse Lerman, President/CEO, TelVue Corporation

Jesse Lerman
8:45 am - 9:25 am Talmadge C

Varto Technologies Users Group Breakfast- Sponsored by Varto Technologies

Presented by Yervant Keshishian, Sales Engineer, Authorized Trainer & Technical Director, Varto Technologies

Yervant Keshishian
9:00 am - 5:30 pm Talmadge A&B

Exhibit Hall Open

9:00 am - 10:00 am Exhibit Hall

Welcome Breakfast w/Vendors

10:00 am - 10:40 am Talmadge C

Less Equipment Better Production Quality for Remotes

Streamlining your workflow in the field by minimizing gear and optimizing production can significantly enhance efficiency and make your work more manageable. We will discuss ways to Prioritize Essential Equipment (cameras, audio and lighting kit), Multifunctional Tools - a smartphone with a high-quality camera can eliminate the need for a second camera in many situations. Invest time in learning the ins and outs of your equipment. This familiarity will enable you to work more efficiently and troubleshoot issues quickly. By implementing these strategies, you can create a more nimble and efficient production workflow in the field, allowing you to focus on capturing high-quality content without being weighed down by excess gear. Plus learn about the latest gear to make this all possible! Moderator/Panelist: Don Smith, Station Manager, Cranford TV

Don Smith
10:45 am - 11:10 am Exhibit Hall

Booth Presentation

11:20 am - 11:50 am Talmadge C

Virtual Sets Seminar

12:00 pm - 12:25 pm Exhibit Hall

Booth Product Presentations

12:30 pm - 1:00 pm Windson Ballroom

Technology Lunch

Welcome: Bob Duthaler, President of JAG

Bob Duthaler
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Windson Ballroom

Real-time Video Updates and Information During Critical Situations

Respond faster and make informed tactical decisions, the key factors for all Police, Fire and OEM Situations. A panel of experts will discuss mission critical elements such as real-time video surveillance, bonded cellular technology, using drones in the field, along with The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2024 that includes the American Security Drone Act, which prohibits the government from using federal funds to purchase drones made in China or certain other countries. Plus, we will discuss the collaboration between Local Government Access TV and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) being highly effective in disseminating important messages to the community. Will include a live equipment demonstration. Panelist: Alex Joice, VP of Solution Sales Engineering, LiveU; John Centanni, OEM Director of East Hanover; Louis Venezia, Bloomfield Fire Chief; Luis Figueiredo, Detective Elizabeth Police Dept.; Yervant Keshishian, Sales Engineer, Authorized Trainer & Technical Director, Varto Technologies; Moderator: Bob Duthaler, President of JAG

Louis Venezia
John G. Centanni, Jr.
Luis Figueiredo
Alex Joyce
Bob Duthaler
Yervant Keshishian
2:15 pm - 2:40 pm Exhibit Hall

Booth Product Presentations

2:45 pm - 3:10 pm Exhibit Hall

Booth Product Presentations

3:15 pm - 4:00 pm Lincoln A

Problem Solving Forum: Goals & Obstacles (Roundtable)

It’s important for every institution to set goals in order to grow and improve, but setting realistic goals and achieving them can be challenging. Those challenges can vary depending on the goal and what you are trying to achieve. In many cases achieving that goal depends on finding money, sometimes it’s knowing how to handle local politics; sometimes it’s understanding new technology; and sometimes it’s just a matter of not having enough personnel to execute new plans. This roundtable will be an interactive investigation on the ways JAG members have found to “sell” programs to councils; solved technical problems to reach a goal; or redeployed personnel to cover additional needs without adding staff. This roundtable will help you find ways to address those challenges. Panelist: Don Smith, Station Manager, Cranford TV; Craig Yetsko, Station Manager, North Brunswick TV; Moderator Geoffery Belinfante, External Relations Chair, JAG

Geoffrey Belinfante
Don Smith
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Break with the Vendors

4:10 pm - 4:35 pm Talmadge C

Virtual Set Lighting Seminar

4:45 pm - 5:30 pm Lincoln A

Building, Expanding or Updating Facilities (Roundtable)

As public access channels and community media networks evolve to meet the demands of a digital-first world, building, expanding, or updating PEG (Public, Education, and Government) facilities has become a critical focus for municipalities, non-profits, and local broadcasters. This round table session aims to bring together experts, facility managers, media professionals, and policy makers to discuss the strategic, technical, and operational challenges of developing modern PEG facilities that can effectively serve their communities Moderator: Bob Duthaler, President of JAG

Bob Duthaler
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Exhibit Hall

Reception w/Door Prize Drawing

6:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Exhibit Hall Closes

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Windsor Ballroom

Partners Dinner

Welcome: Bob Duthaler, President of JAG; Host: Rich Desimone, Managing Director, JAG Guest speakers: Jesse Lerman, President/CEO, TelVue Corporation

8:00 am - 9:30 am Exhibit Hall

Breakfast w/Conference Partners

TelVue Corporation, Varto Technologies, LiveU, G&G Technologies, Cologna Productions

9:00 am - 11:45 am Exhibit Hall

Partners/Attendees Private Meetings at their booths

9:00 am - 10:15 am Garden

New Jersey’s Film Industry: A Renaissance in the Garden State

With production on the rise across New Jersey, the NJ Motion Picture & Television Commission has taken steps to help enhance production in the Garden State, including the development of their Film Ready program and their new NJ411 business and crew directory. This panel will explore these initiatives, and touch upon how JAG members, many of whom have extensive production and state knowledge, can participate, and assist in helping New Jersey maintain its position as a top destination for production. Panelists: Charles Riccardi, Operations & Creative Director ; Moderator: Geoffrey Belinfante, External Relations Chair, JAG

Charles Ricciardi
Geoffrey Belinfante
9:00 am - 10:15 am Talmadge C

Using College Interns and How to Find Them (Roundtable)

One of the great things about PEG channels is that they can provide a meaningful internship to young people who want to pursue a career in media production. Unlike the networks, there are no union regulations, no restrictions on what equipment can be used, and little but common sense to restrict creative young minds. The list of successful professionals that started their careers at PEG channels is lengthy. This panel will explore ways to find qualified interns and what to do with them once you have them on board to make their experience valuable and their management relatively painless. Panelists: Anthony Pagliuco, Station Manager, East Brunswick; Abigail Wilson, Production Manager, C-NET, PA; George Fairfield, Station Manager, Piscataway TV; Moderator: Don Smith, Station Manager, Cranford TV

Don Smith
10:30 am - 11:45 am Garden

Storytelling

The biggest challenge to anyone who has tried to produce a documentary or television show is to effectively communicate your message to an audience. That communication begins with knowing how to tell a story that is both compelling and entertaining. There are always decisions to be made as to the best way to accomplish this: is the story best told linearly? with re-enactments? with animation? using stock footage? How many interviews should be included, can there be too many talking heads? Where should I use a musical montage? Join Emmy and Peabody award winning producer George Roy as we explore the different techniques available to producers and how to use them creatively. Guest Speaker: George Roy, American sports documentary director, producer, and editor; Moderator: Geoffery Belinfante, External Relations Chair, JAG

George Roy
Geoffrey Belinfante
10:30 am - 11:45 am Talmadge C

General Legislative Update (National/FCC/New Jersey) (Roundtable)

Dave Garb
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm Windson Ballroom

Legislative Lunch

Welcome: Bob Duthaler, President of JAG

Bob Duthaler
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm Windson Ballroom

Why PEG Stations Should Care About the Broadband Deployment

Thanks to federal funds, Broadband Deployment will allow internet access to more people than ever, but what does that mean for PEG channels. It would seem that the more people that have internet access, the better for us, but internet access is not cable access, so what can PEG stations do to ensure their signals are available to the widest audience possible. This panel will discuss the status of broadband deployment in the state and the implications for our channels. What is the future of cable distribution? Must we plan for over-the-top apps to reach new viewers and will this be the only way residents can access PEG channels in the future? Will we get more HD distribution? What are PEG stations doing nationally to maximize their availability? Are there new security issues if broadband is the only way to access to our stations? Panelists: Robert Boyle, CEO, Planet Networks; Joe Rivera, Manager of Broadband Access, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities; Gerry Lederer, Partner, Best, Best & Krieger LLP;

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Exhibit Hall

Partners/Attendees Private Meetings at their booths

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm Garden

Grants for PEG and Community Stations

As funding for Municipal and Community Channels becomes more and more difficult to come by in Municipal budgets, stations have to be more creative in the ways they find funding. Some stations have been successful in finding grants to fund programming, operations and even capital equipment. This workshop will explore sources stations can explore for grants to supplement the funding they receive from their municipalities. Panelists: Professional Grant Writer or Writers; Panelist: George Ruotolo, Chairman/CEO, Ruotolo Associates; Amanda Hicks--Associate, DIBHicks, LLC; Dianna Pell GPC, Dianna Pell Associates; Reed Carlson, Associate, Ruotolo Associates; Moderator: Geoffery Belinfante, External Relations Chair, JAG

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm Talmadge C

Beyond Cable: New Ways to Communicate w/Your Citizens (Roundtable)

Municipal TV is not just cable anymore. We will discuss the various ways a municipality can communicate with their citizens beyond traditional cable television channels. The panel will explore and discuss new video trends in social media, live streaming and how access channels are entering the world of Over The Top (OTT) with their own channels on Apple TV, Roku and more. Panelists: Gina Forbes, Station Manager, Woodbridge TV; Jesse Lerman President/CEO, TelVue Corporation; Joe Fernandes, Assistant Supervisor, Woodbridge TV; Brandon Uhlig, Station Manager, Metuchen Media; Panelists/Moderator: Bob Duthaler, Managing Partner, DNS Media Group

Gina Forbes
Picture of Brandon Uhlig Brandon Uhlig
Joe Fernandes
Bob Duthaler
Jesse Lerman
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm Garden

How to Conduct a Great Interview: Interviewing Skills and Tips

Have you ever wondered how to prepare properly for an interview? How do you get the most out of your guest and avoid the single word answers? Learn how to effectively listen, react, and ask the right questions and the right time to ask them during an interview. Professional reporters from local channels in the New York/New Jersey Market will guide you through the steps to help make your next interview the best! Panelist/Moderator: Don Smith, Station Manager, Cranford TV

Don Smith
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm Talmadge C

New Programming Ideas- Best Practices (Roundtable)

Tired of the same programs year after year? Is their content in your community beyond council meetings and summer concerts? This panel is designed to give you some ideas on where to find new programming opportunities to enhance your program schedule. Discover new sources of programming that you might have overlooked right in your own backyard, and then learn how you can use AI to help create those programs. Panelists Ed Cologna, Station Manager, Newark TV; John Morley, Independent Producer; Moderator: Geoffery Belinfante, External Relations Chair, JAG

Geoffrey Belinfante
4:00 pm - 4:00 pm Talmadge A&B

Exhibit Hall Closes

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Exhibit Hall

Thank You Reception with the Conference Partners

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Windson Ballroom

JAG’s 25th Anniversary Banquet and JAG Awards

Welcome: Bob Duthaler, President, JAG; Presentation of JAG Application Awards and President’s Ovation Award