Registration is now open for the 2026 NENPA Leadership Summit, taking place October 8–9 at the Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. This year’s theme, “What’s Next: Leading the Future of Local News,” will bring news leaders together to explore new tools, business models, leadership approaches and journalism’s evolving role in our communities.
The Summit begins Thursday evening with an informal Welcome Dinner for attendees, speakers, NENPA board members and staff. Friday’s program will move from practical experimentation with AI to conversations with news leaders pursuing new models for local journalism, before looking more broadly at the future of the industry and what attendees can take back to their own organizations.
Program Highlights
Coffee & Registration
Friday begins with coffee, registration and an opportunity to connect with colleagues from across New England before the program gets underway.
AI and What’s Next: Building the AI-Ready News Organization
Members of NENPA’s AI cohort will share projects they have been developing, what they’ve learned and where they see opportunities to put AI to work. Aimee Rinehart, formerly Senior Product Manager for AI Strategy at The Associated Press and now with Frontier Collective, will then broaden the conversation to how news organizations can prepare strategically for AI, including AI literacy, verification, data infrastructure and knowledge systems.
What’s Working: New Models for Local News
Three news leaders pursuing distinctly different approaches will share what their organizations are doing to grow and adapt: PJ Browning of The Post and Courier, Lauren Gustus of The Salt Lake Tribune, and Karen Bordeleau of The New Bedford Light. They’ll discuss revenue and sustainability, audience development, expansion, philanthropy, membership and collaboration—with a candid look at what’s working, what hasn’t and what they’re trying next. Liz White Notarangelo of Local Media Association will facilitate the conversation.
Awards Luncheon
A highlight of the Summit, the NENPA Awards Luncheon will bring the New England news community together to celebrate excellence in journalism and recognize this year’s honorees. Awards presented will include the New England Newspaper of the Year Awards, Publick Occurrences Awards, A-Mark Prizes, and other prestigious honors recognizing outstanding journalism, leadership and service to the profession across New England.
Looking Ahead—and Taking Ideas Home
The afternoon will broaden the conversation to where journalism itself is headed before concluding with an interactive discussion among attendees: What challenged their thinking? What issues still need to be addressed? And, most importantly, what is one idea they can take home and put into action?
Join Us in Sturbridge
Make the most of the Leadership Summit by arriving on Thursday, October 8, and joining us for the Welcome Dinner before Friday’s program. A special NENPA room rate of $249 per night, plus applicable taxes and fees, is available at the Publick House Historic Inn for Thursday night. To reserve your room, call 508-347-3313 and mention the New England Newspaper and Press Association room block or group code 1026NE.
With a program designed around practical ideas, candid conversations and connections with other news leaders, the 2026 NENPA Leadership Summit is an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and focus on a bigger question: What’s next for local news—and how do we lead it?
Interested in sponsoring the event? Contact Tara Cleary at t.cleary@nenpa.com or (617) 520-4585 to reserve your sponsorship and answer any questions.
Schedule a meeting to discuss our sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.