LMA Fest Chicago 2025

LMA Fest 2025 will take place from August 18 to 21 at the Gleacher Center in Chicago. The four-day conference is hosted by the Local Media Association and Local Media Foundation and is designed for local media executives.

The program features two content tracks—senior leadership and digital sales—comprising general sessions, breakout workshops and one-on-one meetings with R&D partners. The agenda focuses on revenue diversification, audience engagement, AI experimentation and sustainable business practices in local media.

LMA Fest 2025 Themes

• Revenue models in local media – For publishers and executives evaluating philanthropic funding, subscriptions and branded content models.
• AI experimentation in newsrooms – Relevant to product leaders and editors assessing AI tools for content automation and workflow efficiency.
• Philanthropy and newsroom sustainability – Useful for development officers exploring mission-aligned funding strategies.
• Audience engagement strategies – Geared toward digital sales and marketing professionals leveraging branded content and events for audience growth.
• Industry collaboration and innovation – Targeted at revenue and strategy teams forging partnerships and peer networks for local impact.

LMA Fest 2025 Target Audience

• Media executives such as publishers and general managers steering strategic direction in local media organizations.
• Sales and revenue leaders focused on diversified income streams including branded content and first-party data monetization.
• Product and innovation professionals exploring AI and audience engagement tools for newsroom advancement.
• Development and philanthropic officers aligning funding strategies with editorial mission and sustainability goals.

LMA/LMF Program Offerings

• General sessions – Plenary keynotes and research presentations such as the Google News Initiative insight on shifting audience behavior.
• Track-based breakouts – Content tailored for C-level strategy or digital sales, focused on sustainable growth and innovation.
• One-on-one R&D partner meetings – Opportunities for direct engagement with sponsors and vendors offering tools for local media.
• Workshops and table talks – Interactive sessions designed for peer learning and practical strategy exchange.

Event Sponsors

• Presenting Sponsor – Google News Initiative
• Platinum Sponsor – Comcast Corporation
• Platinum Lunch Sponsor – Make it Free
• Cubs Game Sponsor – Taboola
• Gold Sponsor – Audience.io
• Gold Sponsor – Lineup (Adpoint platform)
• Silver Sponsor – Smartico
• Silver Sponsor – United Robots
• Silver Sponsor – Newspack (WordPress project)
• Silver Sponsor – BLOX Digital
• Silver Sponsor – Spot-On (Pinpoint Persuasion P3 platform)
• Silver Sponsor – Dirks, Van Essen & April (M&A advisory)
• Silver Sponsor – AdCellerant
• Silver Sponsor – inTandem by vcita
• Silver Sponsor – Boostability (SEO for SMBs)
• Silver Sponsor – True Anthem (AI-powered social publishing)
• Silver Sponsor – CitySpark (event and engagement platforms)