AJPalooza 2026 Agenda
Note: Programming on Thursday, April 23 is for organizations in AJP’s portfolio only.
Click here to visit the main AJPalooza 2026 page.
All Days
Tue Apr 21
Wed Apr 22
Thu Apr 23
Tue Apr 21
In-Session
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Coffee [optional] + registration
Crescent Hallway
Kick off AJPalooza with a warm welcome and a fresh cup of coffee. This is an informal time to check in, say hello to fellow attendees and fuel up before we head into the first session.
In-Session
2:00 PM - 3:25 PM CDT
Welcome to AJPalooza 2026!
Crescent Ballroom
We’ll kick things off by connecting with one another and sharing what’s shaping this year’s convening. You’ll hear how it connects to this moment in local news, how it shows up in our work and what’s ahead. We’ll also hear reflections from Fort Worth Report’s leadership on their growth and where they’re headed next.
In-Session
3:25 PM - 4:00 PM CDT
Coffee + connect
Crescent Hallway
Take a moment between sessions to grab coffee and connect with others.
In-Session
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CDT
Expansion in action
Crescent Ballroom
How news organizations align vision with opportunity to launch new newsrooms and serve new communities
Mission-centered expansion requires intention, alignment, and thinking bigger about who your organization can serve. This session outlines how news organizations have achieved ambitious growth, with insights on exploring and acting on new opportunities.
In-Session
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CDT
Healthy funnel, healthy org
Galleries I and II
How strong membership journeys fuel sustainable growth strategies
Membership isn’t a destination — it’s a journey that requires intention to keep members engaged. This session outlines the key components of the membership journey and invites participants to map out their own.
In-Session
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CDT
Smart tools, real outcomes
Conservatory
A practical look at what news organizations have achieved with AI and how leaders can support the work
This session showcases how news organizations are incorporating AI into their work. No best practices or what-ifs — just a candid walk-through of what they did, what it took and how they benefited.
In-Session
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM CDT
Transportation to dinner
Meet us in the lobby for a ride to dinner on the Orange Line, a local connection to the Fort Worth Stockyards.
In-Session
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM CDT
Porch party: Welcome dinner
Second Rodeo, Fort Worth Stockyards
Join us for a laid-back evening at Second Rodeo, an outdoor gathering space with live music and casual food. It’s a chance to connect, meet new faces and start the convening together.
Wed Apr 22
In-Session
7:45 AM - 9:00 AM CDT
Registration open
Crescent Hallway
In-Session
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT
Breakfast + conversations
Conservatory
Start the day with breakfast and conversation. Connect with other AJPalooza guests and share what’s top of mind.
In-Session
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM CDT
State of the Portfolio
Crescent Ballroom
In this session, we’ll share insights on the progress and impact of our portfolio. Drawing from data and lessons learned, we’ll highlight what’s working, where challenges remain and how we’re supporting continued evolution to meet this moment and what’s ahead.
In-Session
10:15 AM - 10:40 AM CDT
Coffee + connect
Crescent Hallway
Take a moment between sessions to grab coffee and connect with others.
In-Session
10:40 AM - 11:50 AM CDT
Impact measurement with rigor
Blue Room (access through the courtyard)
Exploring ways to measure the real impact of journalism in communities.
Impact tracking falls short without clear goals, strong measurement tools, and organizational buy-in. This session explores how these elements come together to demonstrate impact and strengthen support by clearly showing the difference your organization makes.
In-Session
10:40 AM - 11:50 AM CDT
The architecture of the pitch
Crescent Ballroom
Building the message that wins new-to-news donors
Mission inspires, but specificity funds. This session focuses on building a strong fundraising pitch — sharpening your narrative, grounding it in a clear number, and crafting a message that resonates with funders new to news.
In-Session
10:40 AM - 11:50 AM CDT
Rooted in relationships
Gallery 1
Real world engagement tactics to expand your audience reach, build trust and expand your impact in any market
A strong editorial strategy falls short if it doesn’t connect with your audience. This session explores how newsrooms serving diverse communities meet people where they are and move forward together in ways that build trust.
In-Session
11:50 AM - 12:50 PM CDT
Lunch
Conservatory
In-Session
12:50 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Making events (actually) work
Blue Room (access through the courtyard)
Driving revenue, deepening engagement and delivering measurable impact
Events can be powerful ways to connect with your community — but they require time, money, and focus. This session outlines the key elements of a strong events strategy and how news organizations have maximized their effort and impact.
In-Session
12:50 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
From inquiry to impact
Crescent Ballroom
What academic research can teach us about increasing trust, reach and influence
This session shares insights on news consumer behavior, information needs, and the effects of nonprofit news from leading researchers. It also explores how organizations can apply these findings and invites discussion on the most actionable future research.
In-Session
12:50 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
The 10x audience bet
Galleries I and II
How to translate market clarity into sustainable growth
Sustainable audience growth requires clarity, focus, and alignment across teams. This session highlights newsrooms that reached key demographics through bold marketing experiments, while inviting participants to stress-test their own ideas for reaching new audiences.
In-Session
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM CDT
Coffee + connect
Crescent Hallway
Take a moment between sessions to grab coffee and connect with others.
In-Session
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM CDT
Community field trips
Departs from Lobby
We'll take visits to some key Fort Worth locations; participants will be able to choose from a menu of trips to participate in.
In-Session
6:30 PM - 9:15 PM CDT
Rooted in community: Celebrating journalism in Tarrant County
Cowtown Coliseum, 121 East Exchange Avenue
Join us for an evening at Cowtown Coliseum in the Historic Stockyards. In partnership with the Fort Worth Report, this dinner brings together AJPalooza guests and members of the Tarrant County community. We’ll reflect on the region’s identity, its growth and the role of trusted local news in Fort Worth and beyond. Smart casual attire; Cowboy boots encouraged.
In-Session
9:15 PM - 10:59 PM CDT
Afterparty @ White Elephant
White Elephant, 106 E Exchange Ave
After dinner, walk down the street to the White Elephant Saloon — Fort Worth’s oldest and most iconic saloon in the Historic Stockyards — for drinks and line dancing.
Thu Apr 23
In-Session
7:45 AM - 9:00 AM CDT
Luggage drop off
Crescent Hallway
In-Session
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT
Breakfast + conversations
Conservatory
Start the day with breakfast and conversation. Connect with other AJPalooza guests and share what’s top of mind.
In-Session
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM CDT
Portfolio day kickoff: Setting the stage
Crescent Ballroom
We’ll kick off the last day of AJPalooza, designed just for members of our portfolio, with space to connect and dig into what’s top of mind. Expect candid conversation, tough questions and table discussions on shared challenges — along with a look at what’s ahead.
In-Session
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM CDT
Break + move to breakouts
In-Session
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Built to close
Galleries I and II
Structuring your team (and board!) for major giving impact
Fundraising shouldn’t be a solo act, regardless of team size. This session highlights the roles needed for cohesive cultivation and invites participants to map how their organization’s roles align with moves management at their nonprofit.
In-Session
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Financing the future
Blue Room (access through the courtyard)
How to fuel growth and reduce risk through multi-year planning
Ambitious nonprofit news organizations require equally ambitious financial strategies. This session explores how multi-year planning can fuel growth, avoid funding cliffs and turn big goals into achievable strategies, while guiding participants to begin building a practical financial roadmap.
In-Session
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Leading through the storm
Crescent Ballroom
How organization leaders navigate crises and keep teams moving forward
News organizations are no strangers to challenges, though some feel existential. This session explores how leaders have navigated financial, philanthropic and community safety barriers while guiding their teams through uncertainty and toward stability on the other side.
In-Session
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM CDT
Break + move to additional breakouts
In-Session
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM CDT
Leading together
Blue Room (access through the courtyard)
Building executive alignment and succession-ready news organizations
Strong CEOs don’t lead alone — they build teams that share ownership of strategy and results. This session explores how collaborative leadership and delegation strengthen resilience, clarify accountability and prepare organizations for long-term sustainability and leadership transitions.
In-Session
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM CDT
From prospect to partner
Galleries I and II
A practical workshop on making big asks for big outcomes
Major gifts don’t happen by accident — they require clarity, strategy and the courage to ask at the right level. This workshop helps you identify key prospects and craft an ask aligned with their capacity and your ambition.
In-Session
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM CDT
Creating donor experiences
Conservatory
How to build authentic and unique opportunities for local donors
Cultivation isn’t one-size-fits-all, and donor experiences shouldn’t be either. This session explores how news organizations engage donors in ways that inspire support and align with organizational goals, offering examples of approaches tailored to different audiences.
In-Session
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM CDT
Lunch + closing
Crescent Ballroom
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