The 2026 NENPA Leadership Summit is just a few weeks away, and this year’s program brings together journalism leaders who are actively experimenting with new ideas, building new models and thinking about what comes next for local news.
On October 9 at the Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge, we’ll move from the practical ways news organizations are putting AI to work today, to new approaches to audience, revenue and sustainability, and finally to a broader conversation about what journalism itself needs to become next.
Building the AI-Ready News Organization
We’ll begin with AI and What’s Next, featuring members of the NENPA and Google News Initiative AI cohort, who will share projects they’ve spent the past several months developing—what they tried, what they learned and where they see real opportunities for AI in their organizations.
Aimee Rinehart, formerly Senior Product Manager for AI Strategy at The Associated Press and now focused on strategic journalism innovation through Frontier Collective, will take the conversation further by exploring how news leaders should be preparing their organizations as AI becomes increasingly embedded in the business and practice of journalism.
What’s Working: New Models for Local News
Next, we’ll bring together leaders from three very different news organizations for a candid conversation about what they’re trying and what they’re learning.
PJ Browning of The Post and Courier, Lauren Gustus of The Salt Lake Tribune and Karen Bordeleau of The New Bedford Light will discuss approaches to audience development, geographic expansion, philanthropy, membership, collaboration and sustainability—including what has worked, what hasn’t and what they’re trying next.
The conversation will be guided by Liz White Notarangelo, coach and consultant with the Local Media Association, who works directly with publishers and news organizations exploring new approaches to sustainability, transformation and journalism funding.
Celebrating New England Journalism
Following the morning sessions, we’ll come together for the NENPA Awards Luncheon, celebrating outstanding journalism, leadership and service across New England. This year’s honorees will be recognized with the New England Newspaper of the Year Awards, Publick Occurrences Awards, Allan B. Rogers Editorial Award, New England First Amendment Award, A-Mark Prizes, AP Sevellon Brown New England Journalist of the Year, Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award and The Cornerstone Award.
Looking Ahead with Tom Rosenstiel
In the afternoon, we’ll step back from individual technologies and business models to consider an even bigger question: What does journalism itself need to become next?
Tom Rosenstiel, one of the country’s leading thinkers on journalism and co-author of The Elements of Journalism, will draw from his new book, The Next Journalism, to explore how journalism can become more useful, trustworthy and connected to the people and communities it serves.
And before we leave Sturbridge, we’ll turn the conversation back to attendees: What challenged your thinking? What questions are we still wrestling with? And what ideas will you take home and put to work?
Don’t Miss the September 23 Hotel Deadline
Planning to join us? The special NENPA room block at the Publick House ends Wednesday, September 23. Rooms are available for Thursday, October 8, at the special rate of $249 per night, plus applicable taxes and fees.
To reserve your room, call (508) 347-3313 and mention the New England Newspaper and Press Association room block or group code 1026NE.
Leadership Summit registration closes September 30. Make your plans now and join us October 8–9 in Sturbridge.