CONCURRENT Sessions 1 (12:15 - 1:45 PM ET)

Elephant in the Room (Production)
Join panelists Ana Maria Allessi (Vice President, Publisher, Hachette Book Group), Sean McManus (President, Dreamscape Media), P.J. Ochlan (Coach, Producer, Narrator), Guy Oldfield (Head of Production, Macmillan) for a candid roundtable discussion among industry leaders on the state of AI and its role in their business. The conversation will provide an opportunity for open dialogue on AI's impact, challenges, competitive advantages, and collaborative possibilities in the audiobook world. Moderated by Stephanie Németh-Parker (Audiobook Narrator).

Mission: Audition (Production)
In today's ever-evolving creative scene, it's becoming more common for projects to require auditions that need the green light from both publishers and authors. So, why not tap into the wisdom of casting directors who are at the heart of these auditions? Join Chris Ciulla (Narrator, Director, Producer, Publisher, CEO - Leonardo Audio) and Julie Wilson (Directing of Casting, Strategic Partnerships, & Digital Production Platforms, Penguin Random House) as they share some fantastic insights into what works and what doesn't when it comes to landing those sought-after roles. Let's dive into their advice on audition 'dos and don'ts' to give yourself the best shot at winning the gig. Moderated by Grover Gardner (Senior Audio Producer, Blackstone Publishing).

Audiobooks in the Wild (Business) 
This session is designed to provide a platform for participants to share case studies exemplifying how fresh approaches to audiobooks or spoken word programming have contributed to audience and community development. Eric Barnett (Director of Sales & Marketing, Supporting Cast), Lizzie Breyer Bowman (Media SVP, Growth and Marketing, Lemonada), and Darcy Piedmonte (Senior Sales Manager, NetGalley) will exchange insights and lessons learned, fostering discussions about the evolving landscape of audiobooks and spoken word content and their influence on audience engagement and community building. Moderated by Amy Metsch (Associate Publisher and Director of Audio Programming at Spiegel & Grau).

Accessible Audiobooks: The Future of Inclusivity for Audio Audiences and Professionals (DEI)
As an industry founded on the cutting edge of accessibility, audiobooks continue to be a medium created and enjoyed by people with a variety of disabilities. Richard Rieman (Audiobook Wizard), Annie Donnellon (Narrator) and Andy Garcia-Ruse (Narrator) share personal context and best practices in accessibility for both audiobook consumers and professionals. Audiobook publishers can learn how to be allies in supporting employee accommodations and enriching audience experiences. By actively seeking to understand diverse perspectives and advocate for simple changes, we can collectively forge a more inclusive industry where everyone has the opportunity to engage in the audiobook world. Moderated by Emily Pike Stewart (Producer, Director, and Narrator - Sounds True, Inc.).

CONCURRENT Sessions 2 (2:15 - 3:15 PM ET)

Type (of) Casting (Production)
From big-name publishers and major production companies to indie creators and multicast specialists, experts in the field are chatting about the different ways they handle casting. Join Stephanie Cicatiello (Vice President-Casting, Podium Audio), Jess Herring (Audiobook Empire), Rinn Kraus (Producer, Spotify), and Steve Wagner (Audio Senior Producer, Macmillan) as they share tips on how to make the most of websites, personal profiles, talent lists, and online hubs. Moderated by Tanya Eby (Narrator, Writer, and Casting Director - Deyan Audio).

“Younion” (Production)*
An exclusive session where SAG-AFTRA leadership gets real about the audiobook community's burning questions. This is your chance to throw your most pressing inquiries their way. From industry challenges to what's on the horizon, Andrea Henderson, Richard Larkin, and Jane Love have got the insights you need! Moderated by Deanna Anthony (Actor, Singer, Narrator).

Audio Retailers: Ask Them Anything (Business) 
Emily Cox (Head of Editorial - North America, Audible), Alexis Petric-Black (Director - Publisher Account Services, OverDrive, Inc), Suzanne Galvez (Director of Audiobook Partnerships & Editorial, Spotify), and Mark Pearson (CEO, Libro.fm) will respond to questions from APA attendees who submitted their most pressing inquiries to the experts and professionals directly involved in audio consumption. Attendees are encouraged to share their burning questions, seeking insights, perspectives, and solutions from those actively engaged in the forefront of the audiobook industry. Moderated by Laura Gachko (Vice President of Content, RBmedia).

CONCURRENT Sessions 3 (3:30 - 5:00 PM ET)

Prep-Position (Production)
We've got a bunch of smart folks from top-notch companies coming together to talk about how to get the most out of production and research resources. Ravi Bhatt (Founder & CEO, Folia), Adam Fritz (CEO, Pozotron), Nathan Rosborough (Director of Audio Production, HarperCollins Publishers), and Finlay Stevenson (Narrator & Director) will share their tips and tricks, best practices, and basically showing us all how to up our resource game. It's all about finding new ways to work smarter, not harder! Moderated by Cameron Potts (Vice President, Audiobook Production - John Marshall Media).

POV 360 (Production)
In this session we'll dive into the art of truly understanding and embracing the Point of View (POV) in storytelling with P.J. Ochlan (Coach, Producer, Narrator). We'll explore how to connect with the author's intentions on a personal level, creating performances that not only do justice to the story but also tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Get ready for a deep exploration of narrative perspectives, character outlooks, and how they all come together to create unforgettable moments in your performances. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your storytelling skills and connect with your audience on a whole new emotional level.

Snappy Statistics: Data Points and Trends (Business) 
In this session, Paul Abbassi (Founder, Bookstat), Laura Ivey (Director of Research, Edison Research), and Kristen McLean (Executive Director, primary analyst, Books & Entertainment - Circana) will each present five key audio metrics that serve as integral components in their day-to-day decision-making processes. These metrics will offer crucial insights into the current trends and future trajectory of the audio landscape. Moderated by Michele Cobb (APA Executive Director).

virtual social (5:00 - 7:00 PM ET)