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Overview
Travel
Schedule
Speakers
Sponsors

2026 CMBAM Conference

November 12 – 14, 2026

The University of Texas at Austin

Registration Cost

Member early-bird (until Sept. 30): $225

Member standard (after Sept. 30): $250

Non-member: $299 for one registration; $250 for two or more

To register at CMBAM member rates, log in with an active membership and return to this page.

Non-Member Registration

What to Expect

Engaging Speakers

Breakout sessions and keynotes are presented by experienced professionals plus advisers and students. If you have an idea for a session, contact the conference planning committee at conference@cmbam.org.

At recent conferences, session topics have included:

  • Sales tactics
  • Staff management
  • Email newsletters
  • Event production
  • Public relations
  • Graphic design
  • Career advice
  • Product innovation
  • Client relationships
  • Social media
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Sales prospecting
  • Branding
  • Fundraising
  • Sponsored content
  • Data analytics
  • Alumni relations
  • Sponsorships

Networking Opportunities

This is a conference that’s about more than just sitting in session rooms. You’ll meet fellow advisers and students from a variety of student media programs. Ask questions, share ideas and gain connections across the country. Mingling starts with the opening social Thursday evening and continues throughout the weekend, including through roundtable discussions on an array of timely, relevant topics.

Awards Ceremony

Celebrate the best of college media with an awards ceremony fit for Hollywood’s A-list. During the closing dinner, winners are announced in a slate of sales and marketing categories, and the Media Company of the Year is crowned.

Interactive Sessions

Sessions include lots of opportunities to share ideas, ask questions and build skills with roundtable discussions, helpful exercises, and other interactive components.

Community Bonds

Build relationships with peers in casual social settings throughout the weekend, including both adviser-only and student-only socials on Friday night.

Learn from Sponsors

Talk in person with representatives from companies that are in tune with college media and learn how they can help your outlets work more effectively and efficiently.

Planning Committee

Marlies Arevalo

Programming Director

Manager for Advertising and Revenue/Product Strategy

The University of Texas at Austin

marlies@cmbam.org

Abi Barefoot

Programming Director-Elect

Business and Marketing Manager

North Carolina State University

abi@cmbam.org

Jennifer Newton

Past Programming Director

Business, Advertising & Public Relations Adviser

California State University-Long Beach

jennifer@cmbam.org

Conference Sponsors

Get connected to college media

The in-person convention features two days of sessions led by industry professionals and student media advisers, a keynote address, and an awards ceremony. The convention is attended by students working on the business side of college media and their advisers. Sponsors have direct interaction with attendees at sessions and receptions, allowing companies to build strong relationships with individuals at schools across the country. In addition to getting your products and services in front of potential clients and decision makers, sponsoring the CMBAM convention allows you to support student media and the work they do in local communities across the country, as well as investing in the future of America’s media landscape.

For further information about sponsorship, contact Abi Barefoot at abi@cmbam.org.

Sponsorship Packages (PDF)