2025 - 41st Annual Conference

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Our 41st Annual Conference will be held on 22nd and 23rd May 2025
in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

The annual forum of our organisation is hosted by our member 3Cat, the regional broadcaster in Catalonia, Spain. We will focus on three main topcs:

Artificial IntelligenceFrom automated content creation to audience personalization, AI is redefining how we produce, distribute, and consume information. But where do we draw the line? How can we ensure that technology enhances good journalism without compromising ethics and quality? We will tackle these challenges with experts, broadcasters, and industry leaders.

Audiences and Strategies - In a world of ever-changing consumption habits, regional broadcasters must rethink their strategies to engage, retain, and grow their audiences. What content formats are resonating today? How can public media compete in the digital landscape while staying true to their mission? We will explore innovative strategies to reach audiences effectively, share best practices, and discuss the future of public service media in Europe.

Promoting and Protecting Good Journalism - With misinformation on the rise and audience trust at stake, the role of regional public media has never been more critical. How can we uphold journalistic integrity while adapting to new digital trends? What strategies are working to keep public interest journalism strong and relevant? We will discuss the challenges and opportunities of promoting good journalism in today’s fast-changing media landscape.

We will talk about the challenges that regional public media services across Europe face, trends in content production and the role of media in society, and celebrate the best productions in regional media services across Europe in the Prix CIRCOM Gala event.

Conference Programme

Check the programme regularly for updates!

May 22nd, 2025 Conference day 1

Venue: Disseny Hub Barcelona

Day One Morning Session: Artificial Intelligence in the Newsrooms

  • AI for Regional Media: Overview, Opportunities & Outlook
    Speaker: David Caswell, Application Architect for AI in News Products & Workflows, StoryFlow Ltd.

  • Implementing AI-driven Workflows During a Year Full of News
    Speakers:
    Isaac Meers, engineer in the Media Management team, VRT, Belgium
    Jan Gerits, journalist, VRT, Belgium

  • Do's and Dont's
    Speaker: Sander Van Barneveld, Omroep Brabant, The Netherlands

  • AI and Journalism: Towards a Model for Responsible Adoption
    Speaker: Patricia Ventura, , researcher and trainer in AI ethics

  • AI and Non-major & Minor Languages
    Speaker: Arantza Del Pozo, Director of Speech and Language Technologies, Vicomtech

Day One Afternoon Session: Audiences and Strategies

  • How SVT's Local Newsrooms Work to Reach a Younger Audience
    Speaker: Jessica Wennberg, programme manager, SVT, Sweden

  • The Enigma of Alpha ADN: Decoding Next Gen Engagement Drivers
    Speakers: Matias Ramos and Regina Arenas, Innovation & Knowledge team, 3Cat, Catalonia, Spain

  • Understanding News Avoidance: why is it happening and what can we do about it?
    Speaker: Joanna Spencer, Senior Planner at Audiences division, BBC, UK

  • The ENACT Project: Easy News For New Audiences
    Speaker: Anna Matamala, professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

  • Presentation of CIRCOM Regional Annual Conference 2026

Day One Evening: Prix CIRCOM Regional 2025 Awards Ceremony

Venue: Maritime Museum of Barcelona

The ceremony celebrates the best productions in regional television broadcasting across Europe.

 

May 23rd, 2025 Conference day 2

Venue: Disseny Hub Barcelona

Day Two Session 1: Meet Prix CIRCOM Regional Winners

An opportunity to get to know the creators of the award-winning programmes.


Day Two Session 2: Promoting and Protecting Good Journalism

  • How to make multi-award winning short documentaries
    Speaker: Raul Gallego, 3Cat, Catalonia, Spain

  • Journalism Under Pressure
    Speaker: Domagoj Novokmet, journalist, Al Jazeera

  • The Norwegian Model
    Speaker: Solveig Husøy, Deputy Secretary General, Association of Norwegian Editors, Norway
 
 
LET'S CONNECT - join us for the event where CIRCOM family spirit unites us and drives us in the constant quest of serving our communities!
Important: hotel booking is a separate procedure from the registration for the Conference - you will find a list of available hotels here, hotel booking is to be done directly with the chosen hotel.

 

Conference Venues

The Welcome reception (May 21st) will be held at El Born Culture and Memory Center, the Conference (May 22nd and 23rd) at Disseny Hub Barcelona and the Prix CIRCOM Gala (May 22nd) at Maritime Museum of Barcelona.
Read more about the venues >>

 

 About Catalonia and 3Cat

 

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Disseny Hub Barcelona Maritime Museum of Barcelona El Born, culture and memory center

The CIRCOM Annual Conference 2025 takes place in the vibrant city of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. A place where history meets innovation, where Mediterranean charm blends with cutting-edge creativity.

From the iconic streets of the Gothic Quarter to the modernist masterpieces of Gaudí, Barcelona is the perfect backdrop to discuss the future of regional media in Europe. As a hub of culture, technology, and media, it’s the ideal host for two days of inspiring conversations, networking, and collaboration.

 

Welcome Cocktail Venue

The Welcome Cocktail for the CIRCOM Annual Conference 2025 will be held at the historic El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria on May 21.
Located in the heart of Barcelona, El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria is a cultural and memorial center housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century market building. This unique venue offers a captivating glimpse into Barcelona's past, featuring an impressive archaeological site that showcases the city's rich history from the early 18th century.
Join us for an evening of networking and cultural immersion in this remarkable setting, as we kick off the conference in true Barcelona style.

05 Venue Welcome Cocktail

 

Conference Venue

The conference will be held at the iconic Disseny Hub Barcelona, the city's premier design museum. This architectural marvel is a testament to Barcelona's innovative spirit and commitment to design excellence.
Located in the heart of the city, the DHub Barcelona is renowned for its striking contemporary architecture and its role as a center for design and creativity. The building's unique design and state-of-the-art facilities make it the perfect venue for our conference, providing an inspiring environment for discussions on the future of regional media.
Join us to engage with industry leaders, share insights, and explore the dynamic world of media and design.

06 Venue Conference

 

Prix CIRCOM Regional Gala Venue

Prix CIRCOM 2025 awards ceremony will take place at the historic Drassanes Reials de Barcelona on May 22. This remarkable Gothic architectural complex, dating back to the 13th century, originally served as the Royal Shipyards of Barcelona and now houses the Maritime Museum.
Located at the end of La Rambla, the Drassanes Reials stands as a testament to Barcelona's rich maritime heritage. Its grand halls, once bustling with shipbuilders crafting vessels that sailed the Mediterranean, now provide a stunning backdrop for events that celebrate excellence and innovation.
Be there for an unforgettable evening in this historic setting as we honor the best in regional public media across Europe.

07 Venue Prix

 

 About Catalonia and 3Cat

 

Disseny Hub Barcelona Maritime Museum of Barcelona El Born, culture and memory center