AMPPR conference underway; more belt-tightening at stations

The 47th annual Music Personnel Conference, staged by the Association of Music Personnel in Public Radio (AMPPR), is now underway in Fort Worth, Texas. My intrepid co-blogger Marty is there (I’m envious!), so look for posts soon from her about the goings-on. Not only that, but tomorrow morning she’s participating in a panel about blogging. If you’re attending, drop by and check it out.

Here’s the conference’s full agenda. UPDATE: Marty and Mona Seghatoleslami of West Virginia Public Broadcasting are tweeting from the conference. If you’re there and on Twitter, use the #amppr09 hashtag. Also, if you’re on hand and would like to chime in on our blog, drop us a line and let us know. We’re always open to guest posts!

Meanwhile, I’m here in my snowy ‘hood near Washington, D.C., where just last week WETA, our local public classical station (and also public TV outlet) announced it is cutting its staff by 13 percent. That included 15 positions, only one of which was devoted solely to radio, station spokeswoman Mary Stewart told Scanning the Dial. It was not an on-air position. Senior managers are also taking pay cuts. The station’s revenue has declined recently, with viewer and listener pledges down 10 percent and corporate underwriting also taking a beating, according to the Washington Post.

What’s more, Vermont Public Radio announced last week that its employees are also taking pay cuts. The station’s budget has declined by 10 percent, according to an Associated Press item.