The countdown is on, so if you haven’t already booked your spot at this years conference make sure you retrieve all the information from our website or contact the CBAA. With so much happening at this year’s conference you don’t want to miss out! For more information on registrations, travel and accommodation click here

Last year the conference attracted over 350 delegates from the Community Broadcasting sector and this year we are hoping to increase that number with a conference specifically designed to suit your needs. Listed below are just some of the Workshops, plenarys, competitions and social events, already being organized for this year’s program.

With lots of positive feedback on the venue last year, CBAA have once again booked the Gold Coast International Hotel in Surfers Paradise, confident that the location and facilities of the GCI will deliver a fabulous arena for the biggest event in Community Broadcasting. Situated right in the heart of Surfers Paradise the Gold Coast International hosts a variety of facilities including 3 restaurants and bars, shopping arcade, Fitness Centre Tennis Courts, Heated pool and swim up bar and only meters from the famous Surfers Paradise beach.

Of course to enjoy these facilities you will have to tear yourself away from the great line up of guest speakers, discussions and debates that your conference has to offer.

Through out the last year Community Broadcasting has enjoyed some exciting events with fantastic results from the Audience research survey and Grassroots lobbying campaign, plus Digital trials and License renewals not too far in the future. So there will be plenty of material to cover, and conference provides the perfect opportunity to discuss and debate these popular topics with delegates, academics and professionals from the sector who will endeavor to answer all your questions.

Already we have a variety of new workshops that are currently being organized including Professional Development – Conflict resolution, Digital Library, Funding for content on ComRadSat, Risk Management, Australian Music: How’s your Quota. The academic stream this year is dedicated to researching the evidence and effects of the democratic voice in Community media. Plus a stream for Small Stations and the of course the always popular youth stream SPEAK OUT!

This year there will be four days of workshops dedicated to youth with a whole day of training on Thursday 25th. The training day will incorporate two workshops, one practical workshop with computers teaching young media makers the skills and techniques of Adobe Audition. The other workshop on Thursday will be more theoretical, sharing information and experiences with other youth organizations around the country. Throughout conference there will be various workshops dedicated to the youth in broadcasting allowing youth delegate to gain information from experienced broadcasters in the Community and Commercial sector.

Cost for 4 days is $180 (with a student card) and accommodation is at the Gold Coast International Backpackers, 15 mins walk from the venue and only $24 per person, make sure you book early to avoid disappointment! For more information on Speak Up click here

Thursday 25th November will also be a day for Professional development, this daylong workshop will concentrate on conflict resolutions, providing practical skills to manage disagreements within your station and prevent them from becoming fully-fledged conflicts. For a small fee of $30 you can learn practical skills from an experienced conflict resolutions training manager - Lynette Simons, who has worked in the field of conflict resolutions and broadcasting for several decades. There is no need to register your interest in this workshop, just arrive at GCI sometime before 9am. Payment for this course can be accepted as cash, cheque, visa or mastercard. For more information on the Professional Development Day contact Nicola Joseph at CBAA, 02 9310 2999.

Want to broadcast LIVE from the conference direct to your station?
Outside Broadcasts were a special feature of last year’s conference, and one, which we are pleased to announce, will be returning this year. The new Van for this year comes from the team at 4EB, Brisbane. Any station who would like to run a live or pre-record program from the conference should contact Peter Rohweder at 4EB preferably by email admin@4eb.org.au If not ring him 07-3240-8600 or 0439 775 116. For more information click here

New exhibitors for 2004 include: Radiowise promoting their new project “Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes against Drink Driving, Amber Technology, TAG Audio, Network Education and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as well as our regular exhibitors Deutsche Welle, Elan Audio, A.R.F.C, Klotz Digital and A.F.T.R.S, plus various others and of course not forgetting the CBAA projects: AMRAP, CBOnline and ComRadSat.

If all this does not keep you busy then we have plenty of social functions to keep you entertained every night. Thursday is the welcome barbeque around the Gold Coast Internationals gorgeous outside swimming pool, (please confirm your booking for this event when you register with Ozaccom). Friday night is the Cocktail evening followed by the infamous AMRAP karaoke challenge, where our very own National Committee Youth representative - Bryce Ives, will be defending his title as the 2003 Australian Idle.

Saturday night will be the inaugural Awards Ceremony, and if you haven’t already sent in an entry for your station then get recording as entries close October 29th. The sit down dinner and awards ceremony is the highlight of the weekend where Community Broadcasters across the Country celebrate and promote their successes during the last year, with fellow broadcasters whilst consuming some yummy food and a few drinks!!

If you haven’t already registered click here for more information on how to register through our events company Ozzacom.

For those of you who book before November 5th you will be entered into a prize draw to win two nights for two at the idyllic Island resort, Couran Cove. For latecomers who book after 5th November a late fee of $50 will be charged to your registrations. For all updates on conference keep checking the website.

Hoping to see you all in November on the sunny Gold Coast!