AMPA’s 2022 Publishers’ Summit

Posted by: Kerri Johnson

Recently, Your McMurray Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Krista Balsom, and Associate Publisher, Kerri Johnson, had the honour of attending the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association 2022 Alberta Publishers’ Summit in Calgary.

As part of the agenda, Krista and Kerri participated in a one-on-one consultation with John Wilpers, senior director of Innovation Media Consulting, and author of the annual “Innovation in Magazine Media World Report”. Known as someone who helps transform media organizations into “profitable, energized, multimedia, multiplatform, 24-7 content-and-revenue-generation machines”, John had some very insightful feedback to share, as well as lots of praise for the most recent issue of Your McMurray Magazine, the Indigenous Wood Buffalo edition presented by Bouchier

The Summit also included time to network with other Alberta publishers, discussing the challenges and opportunities in today’s print media industry. It was an opportunity to bring together new and seasoned publishers in a relaxed environment of learning and sharing, and to learn from each other. 

John Wilpers also provided the morning’s keynote address and provided attendees with key suggestions for improving the connection between the publishers, the readers, and the advertisers. Scott Gray, Executive Vice President of Mitchell Press Ltd., also took the stage in the afternoon to discuss the current state of the paper industry, and how best to navigate the paper shortages and increased prices. 

To wrap things up, the group broke off into smaller round-table discussions where everyone was given the opportunity to share a challenge that they’re currently facing, and the others were given an opportunity to offer some suggestions or advice or to just commiserate. 

The 2022 Alberta Publishers’ Summit, hosted by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association, was an incredible opportunity for the publishers of Your McMurray Magazine to learn from their peers as well as to receive some expert advice. 

As members of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association and Magazines Canada, Your McMurray Magazine is grateful for the opportunity to develop and grow in service to our readers and advertisers and we look forward to continuing our engagement and growth within the Alberta media industry.