Publishers and General Managers: The success of the initial Publisher/General Manager Summit was testimony to Tom Aird's vision for the event. Post-event feedback was resoundingly positive. Participants anticipate a repeat of last year's maximum capacity sell out. This year, we do the same thing---only different. The sessions will continue to be restricted to Publishers and General Managers. The focus will conti nue to be an intense day of candid idea sharing in the IFPA tradition. Again, there will be no distractions---no exhibit halls, sundae breaks, bus trips or awards banquets. If a consistent theme threaded last year's event, it was the treacherous crossroad each of our busin esses will navigate if they are to continue the marketplace dominance to which we are accustomed. This year, we reach beyond the room for experiences and insights to compliment our own. Those who had the opportunity to hear Elaine Clisham of the American Press Institute's Newspaper Next project on Thursday morning in Seattle were concurrently impressed by the depth of her information and disappointed that she did not have more time to cover a topic as vital as the future of the business model that has fed us for so long. At the Summit, we will have the full benefit of her information and experiences throughout our deliberations. You'll be hearing more about Elaine and Newspaper Next in the coming weeks, but in the meantime I encourage you to scour their website http://www.NewspaperNext.org. The reports and insights they make available are fascinating and thought provoking. In the meantime, this is a limited capacity event and some registrations are already in place. As I recall, a couple of last year's participants only made it, because others cancelled at the last minute. I woul d not count on that happening again. Those of you who face no challenges in operations, marketing or plans for the future need do nothing . The rest of us, should take advantage of the ridiculously subsidized pricing your Board has established for this event. Considering the venue, the time of year, and the value of the sessions alone, you would get great value at triple the price. The vitals are as follows. Looking forward to seeing you in February. Date: Saturday February 28th 2009 Location: Sirata Beach Resort, St Pete Beach, FL. Fee: $299 includes: 1. Two nights lodging at Sirata Beach Resort (Fri. Feb. 27 and Sat. Feb. 28) 2. Welcome reception hosted by President Doug Fabian 3. Hot breakfast and lunch Saturday. 4. Commemorative Publisher's Summit golf shirt. Best regards, Bob Munn, Facilitator P.S. There was concern that this year's program enhancements might come at the expense of time for discussion. My commitment to the Board is that I will stay in that room through the night if the participants take the discussion that long (and no one opens the hospitality room). Otherwise its just like baseball. No time limit.