University of Melbourne’s innovation precinct Melbourne Connect is the venue for LINA’s 2025 Summit, taking place next month.

The event, from April 2-4, promises an enriching multi-day programme for publishers and stakeholders.

With the first day devoted to three workshop intensives and an evening welcome event, delegates then have two full days of conference. Organisers the Local & Independent News Association invite attendees to engage in hands-on workshops and join the dialogue on policy evolution in the realm of public interest journalism with their perspectives, “as always, invaluable”.

Workshops (with places limited) address advertising (with US partners Broadstreet Ads; industry development and the future of news; and multimedia content delivery.

A welcome event at Kindred Bandroom in Footscray kicks off the Summit and provides an opportunity to meet the news publishers and stakeholders.

Thursday (April 3) opens with a keynote from INMA’s Jodie Hopperton, and includes continues with a discussion on profit and purpose; developing leadership skills; building audience relationships; a panel discussion on ethics in reporting; workplace culture; a revenue ideas workshop; publishing and the law; newsletter strategies; civic engagement; and a workshop on “levelling up” your media kit. The afternoon continues with Jason Gipps on accessibility; a panel on avoiding burnout; and “lightning talks” in a show’n’tell session from publishers.

Friday opens with members only table talks session across six topics; an update on the News Media Measurement Framework; best practices for search discoverability; growing media literacy; a participant session on collective fundraising; AI policies and processes; making money from multimedia; a Big Tech & AI update from Jodie Hopperton; brand recognition; reporting on councils; another show’n’tell, this time on revenue growth; insights from Miguel Loor on successful business models; table talks on emergency reporting, data mapping & research, content sharing, solopreneurs, newsroom starter kit, creating and advisory group, news apps, large newsrooms “and more”; an upcoming announcement, and discussion of key learnings, next steps and ideas.

That’s it… a lot to learn and benefit from. Details from the LINA website.