9:30 a.m.
Arrivals & Coffee


10:45 a.m.
Keynote Address


11 a.m.
Brand-Built Publications

Moderator:
Megan Wray Schertler
(In Real Life Media)

Panelists:
Tiffany Jow (Untapped)
Verena Von Pfetten (Gossamer)
Steve Clayton (Microsoft “Signal”)

Brand-built magazines are redefining how brands build loyalty. Part storytelling engine, part strategic asset, part cultural calling card, titles like Untapped, Gossamer, and Microsoft’s Signal are setting the bar, proving that editorial platforms can do more than support a brand; they can be the brand. From global tech to cannabis lifestyle to collectible design, these magazines show how sharp editorial vision builds trust, drives affinity, and opens doors far beyond the page. This new wave of brand publishing isn’t about marketing metrics or advertorials; it’s about anchoring identity, articulating values, and creating lasting value for both audience and business. This panel gathers the leaders behind these titles to explore how and why brands are investing in print, and what happens when magazines are built not to sell products, but to build presence.

12 p.m.
State of Boutique Printing

Moderator:
Steven Lee (Meridian Printing)

Panelists:
Aistė Mudėnaitė (KOPA)
Monica Rossi (Faenza)

Long overlooked as a technical step in the process, printing is being reclaimed as a critical creative partnership. Printers like KOPA and Faenza are more than manufacturers; they are collaborators, advisors, and guardians of detail. From color accuracy and paper stock to file prep and foil choices, their insight can elevate a title from beautiful to unforgettable. Today’s smartest publishers aren’t just handing off PDFs; they’re building relationships with their printers to unlock new possibilities, stay on budget, and produce responsibly. This panel brings together experts to reveal what really matters on press and how to make the most of the print partner behind your publication.

12:30 p.m.
Mastermind Conversation

Stephen Benedek from Victory Journal discusses revenue structures that preserve editorial integrity while enabling scale, grounded in real-world examples like Victory Journal and Brick.

1:00 p.m.
Lunch w/Neesh

Attendees are invited to bring their own lunch and take part in a special demo of Neesh.art, the OS for Indie Print that helps independent publishers get stocked, get paid, and stay focused on creating. The session will be led by Gem Nwannem, founder of Neesh, in an informal “lunch-and-learn” format—eat while you watch the demo and engage with Gem.

2:00 p.m.
Community Building, Events and Membership

Moderator:
Carina Imbornone (The Drift)

Panelists:
Caitlin Thompson (Racquet)
Aliza Abarbanel (Cake Zine)
Max Meighen (Serviette)
Jeppe Ugelvig (Viscose)

Hear from four founding publishers engaging their readers through in-person events, print subscriptions, and broader membership models. Spanning fashion, tennis, food, literature, and pop culture; these community-first operators will share how every launch party, merchandise drop, and brand collaboration is a form of world-building, with the print magazine as the centerpiece.

2:30 p.m.
Luxury’s Final Frontier: Rewriting the Conversation Around Watches and High Jewelry

This keynote-style session explores the untapped potential of the watch and high jewelry category, a space overdue for reinvention with younger and emerging audiences. Over 30 minutes, Malaika Crawford will outline why the industry lags behind, how to modernize its narrative, and showcase visual case studies of strategies that actually resonate today. The talk concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what comes next and why print remains essential, followed by 15 minutes of audience Q&A.

3:00 p.m.
New Ways of Distribution in North America

Moderator:
Tony Manno (Small Changes)

Panelists:
James Laffar (Ra & Olly)
Gem Nwammen (Neesh)
Maxine Beiny (Antenne Books)

In this distribution panel discussion, learn from two leading London-based distributors with global reach and Neesh (a new tech platform for indie print) on how the physical movement of magazines is just as important to publishers and retailers as an elegant cover and beautiful paper stock. This panel focuses on the infrastructure (both technological and logistical) needed for publishers to scale their stockist list and for retailers to receive titles in a timely, cost-efficient manner.

3:30 p.m.
Digital Revenue: A new landscape for Independent Publishers

How can you make scalable digital revenue out of your magazine brand in 2025? Emporian Media founders Matt Baskerville and Alex Beeson lead a roundtable on the four ways publishers can make real revenue without compromising editorial value, including their thoughts and strategies on what’s worked for them.

4:00 p.m.
Retail Revival (Magazine Shop and Newsstand Comeback)

Moderator:
Aleiya Lindsey-Olu (Periodicals)

Panelists:
Jeremy Leslie (Magculture)
Andrew Simon (Chess Club)
Hemal Sheth (Casa/Iconic)
Gautier Robial (News and Coffee)

Once dismissed as relics of a pre-digital age, magazine stands are reemerging as vibrant cultural outposts — part retail, part gallery, part gathering place. This panel explores how a new generation of shop owners are reinventing the corner stand for the 21st century, blending curation, community, and commerce. From championing independent titles to hosting events, exhibitions, and conversations, these spaces are reclaiming print as an experience rather than a commodity. Hear from the voices shaping the retail experience around print. We'll discuss the myriad ways magazines still matter to curious people, and how the humble newsstand has become a stage for cultural exchange.