Radio Conferences and Industry Events Worth Attending
The radio conferences, festivals, and awards worth knowing about: Radiodays Europe, NAB Show, CRS, IBS, Podcast Movement, Marconi, ARIAS, and more.
Conferences are still one of the better ways to find your footing in radio. You meet people doing the same work in different countries, you hear what’s actually working from people who run real stations, and you pick up the kind of practical detail that doesn’t make it into blog posts. A lot of broadcasters first hear about new ad networks, automation tools, or partnership opportunities at a hallway conversation.
This is a working calendar of the radio events worth knowing about, organized by when in the year they happen. Recurring patterns are noted so the article stays useful year to year, with 2026 specifics where confirmed.
February
World Radio Day (UNESCO)
- When: 13 February, every year
- Where: Worldwide, organized locally
- More info: unesco.org/commemorations/worldradioday
UNESCO’s annual celebration of radio as a medium. Each year has a theme (past themes include “Radio and Peace” and “Radio and Trust”) and stations around the world produce themed programming, host listener events, or join joint broadcasts. Good day to plan a special show or social-media push.
IBS Conference (presented by TALKERS)
- When: Annually in February. 2026: Feb 19–21
- Where: Sheraton Times Square, New York City
- More info: mediaconferences.org
The Intercollegiate Broadcasting System’s annual conference, now presented by TALKERS magazine. Aimed at college, community, and non-profit radio: sessions on programming, fundraising, automation, and student-station management. The IBS Media Awards are handed out during the event.
Country Radio Seminar (CRS)
- When: Annually in late February or March. 2026: March 18–20
- Where: Omni Nashville Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee
- More info: countryradioseminar.com
Running since 1970. The big country-radio event of the year, with new-artist showcases, programming panels, label meetings, and the CRS Country Radio Hall of Fame. If you program country in any form, this is the one.
March
Radiodays Europe
- When: Annually in March. 2026: March 22–24
- Where: Rotates. 2026: ATTA Centre, Riga, Latvia
- More info: radiodayseurope.com
The biggest pan-European radio and audio conference. Speakers from BBC, NPR, Spotify, public broadcasters, and major commercial groups. Topics span news, music, podcasting, AI, and audience research. If you’re a European broadcaster going to one event a year, this is usually it.
April
NAB Show
- When: Annually in April. 2026: April 19–22
- Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
- More info: nabshow.com
The National Association of Broadcasters’ main event covers radio, TV, streaming, and broadcast tech. The radio track has its own programming and the exhibit floor is where every encoder, automation, and streaming vendor shows what they’ve shipped. Worth the trip even just to walk the floor.
May
Departure Festival + Conference (formerly Canadian Music Week)
- When: Annually in May. 2026: May 4–10
- Where: Toronto, multiple venues
- More info: festivalstoronto.com/events/departure-to
Canadian Music Week was rebranded as Departure Festival + Conference. Music, broadcast, podcasting, and media-tech sessions across the week, plus showcases at venues all over Toronto. The CMW Radio Awards (when held) recognize excellence in Canadian broadcasting.
ARIAS (UK Audio & Radio Industry Awards)
- When: Annually in May
- Where: UK, hosted by The Radio Academy
- More info: radioacademy.org
The UK industry’s main awards night, covering on-air talent, production, podcasting, and station of the year across BBC, commercial, and community categories. The Radio Academy also runs Radio Festival and other events through the year.
June
ARRL Field Day
- When: Fourth full weekend of June, every year
- Where: Worldwide, organized by local ham-radio clubs
- More info: arrl.org/field-day
Not a “conference” exactly, but the biggest amateur-radio event in North America and a great way to see how independent operators run temporary stations under real-world constraints. Open to the public; clubs welcome curious visitors.
September
Radiodays Asia
- When: Typically September
- Where: Recent editions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- More info: radiodaysasia.com
Asia’s counterpart to Radiodays Europe. Two days of sessions covering Asia-Pacific broadcasters, podcasting, and the local commercial landscape. Smaller and more focused than Europe; easier to actually meet people.
Podcast Movement
- When: Annually. 2026: September 14–18
- Where: Terminal 5, New York City
- More info: podcastmovement.com
Not strictly a radio event, but increasingly relevant for stations producing on-demand content or thinking about cross-publishing. The 2026 edition is the first NYC flagship, including the Sounds Profitable Business Summit and IAB Upfronts.
Hispanic Radio Conference
- When: Annually, late spring. 2026: May 27–28
- Where: Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Phoenix, Arizona
- More info: Listed in Radio Ink event coverage
Brings together programmers, sales leaders, and executives in Hispanic media. Sessions cover bilingual programming, ad sales to Hispanic audiences, and the regulatory landscape for Spanish-language radio in the US.
October
Radio Alive
- When: Annually in October
- Where: Australia, hosted by Commercial Radio & Audio
- More info: commercialradio.com.au
The flagship event of the Australian commercial-radio industry. Programming, sales, audio strategy, and a packed keynote lineup. (Note: the ACRAs, the long-running national commercial-radio awards held alongside Radio Alive, were permanently discontinued by Commercial Radio & Audio in 2025. Individual networks now run their own recognition programs.)
November
Radio INK Forecast
- When: Late in the year, typically November
- Where: New York City
- More info: radioinkforecast.com
One-day event where US radio leaders and analysts forecast advertising trends and revenue for the year ahead. Useful if you sell ads on your station or need to brief a board on industry direction.
Year-Round Awards Worth Knowing
Marconi Radio Awards (NAB)
Annual awards for excellence in US radio, presented by the NAB. Categories include Legendary Station of the Year, Major Market Personality of the Year, Network Syndicated Personality of the Year, and Best Radio Podcast. Typically presented in the fall.
ARIAS
Covered above under May. The UK’s main audio and radio awards.
IBS Media Awards
Tied to the IBS Conference in February. Recognizes student and college radio stations, individuals, and digital broadcasters.
Where to find more events
Industry calendars worth following:
- WorldDAB events page for digital-radio and hybrid-radio events
- Radio Academy events page for UK industry events
- Radio Ink news section for North American announcements
- Radio Today for UK and European coverage
- Eventbrite, searching by city plus “radio” or “podcast”
Following a handful of key broadcasters and producers on LinkedIn or X is also one of the more reliable ways to hear about regional or invitation-only events that don’t get formal announcements.
Planning the year
Most working broadcasters pick one major event and one or two smaller ones per year. A reasonable pattern: one big international event (Radiodays Europe or NAB Show), one regional or trade event (CRS if you’re country, Radio Alive if you’re in Australia, Departure if you’re in Canada), and one or two virtual sessions through the year. Booking flights and hotels three to four months out usually saves significant money, especially around NAB.
If you’re heading to one of these events to figure out next steps for your own station, our start-an-internet-radio-station guide and essential broadcaster’s toolkit are good companions. For remote-broadcasting from a conference floor or trade show, see our remote radio broadcasting guide.
Running an event of your own and want it considered for the next refresh? Get in touch with the details.
CloudRadio One gives you AutoDJ, 750 GB storage, HLS streaming with Icecast fallback, and unlimited listeners for $39/mo.
