My promotion of and participation in conferences, conventions and events, going forward.

Statement from Michelle Bradley, CBT regarding events in jurisdictions that are not welcoming to all people.

(REC bonnet off.)

Good afternoon from Riverton.

For small stations, especially LPFM stations, the internet has been a valuable tool to keeping stations connected and sharing ideas and coming up with solutions for issues that others may have already faced. However, while this virtual gathering is a good think, face to face in-person networking is still the most effective way to learn about our industry and get to know the people who are behind it. This is why I support the various conferences and conventions, such as the Grassroots Radio Conference, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, College Broadcasters, Inc. and even the National Association of Broadcasters. Attendance at these events are important in the learning process.

However, for a conference or convention to be successful, it needs to be welcoming, affirming and accommodating for all persons, regardless of certain attributes such as race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status or disability.

Most conference organizers are very much accommodating and welcoming. However, while they may be accommodating, the underlying local and state governments may not be so accommodating. Recent Presidential Executive Orders have further distanced our federal government from having the backs of their citizens. Instead, they have put a target on those backs. Conference attendees need to feel safe, not just at the venue but in the surrounding area.

For these reasons, until further notice, any entity that is within my control will not be used for the promotion of or participation in any conference, convention or similar live event unless such event is within one of the following jurisdictions:

• Arizona (Phoenix metro area and Tucson only)

• California

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• District of Columbia

• Hawaii

• Illinois

• Iowa

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan (except the Detroit metro area)

• Minnesota

• Nevada

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• New Mexico

• New York

• Oregon

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• Vermont

• Virginia

• Washington (state)

For states not on this list, I will still promote and provide information on events that are specifically targeted for participants within the same state (such as State Broadcasters Associations, state and regional LPFM station associations) and normally do not require participants to cross state lines to attend.

While I understand that there are folks in the states that are not mentioned that want to host events and invite people who want to come in; unfortunately, I cannot feel comfortable promoting or participating in such events where I know that participants will not be free of harassment, ridicule, violence or arrest, just because of who they are. This is not intended to target the organizer but instead, is intended to make a statement that I will not support the economy of a state or other jurisdiction that does not provide protections, especially those in regards to public accommodations to all people, regardless of their personal attributes.

Hopefully, things will be different in four years or so. but for now, I must place this moratorium on any of my resources, both within and outside of REC to be used to promote or participate in events at places where some attendees are not welcome by the underlying governmental entities.

Thank you for your understanding and I hope someday, we can revisit this policy.

Everyone, please continue to be yourself and most importantly, remain safe, strong and vigilant.

This policy was updated on June 5, 2025 to reflect the promotion of events that target participants in the same state as the event. This update does not change my personal travel policy.