Events for Weekly Newspapers

Floridian E

// Dawn Willis, Publisher, The West Orange Times & Windermere Observer; Chris Sexson, President & Publisher, Sun Central Media Group

Lunch with exhibitors from Noon – 1:00 pm

Speakers


Chris Sexson

Chris Sexson has been in the weekly paper business for just over 25 years publishing papers in Michigan, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina. Events have been an area of focus and passion for some time. As traditional revenues began to decline, Chris was quick to move into the event space. Chris has created many successful events ranging in size from 500 – 50,000. Many of these events are still active today Pig & Whiskey, San Antonio Beer Festival, Detroit Beer Festival, Vodka Vodka, the list goes on…. “There are many advantages to launching events, they play to a weeklies core business. If done properly not only will you have a high margin event you will also have a platform to sell and grow your traditional revenue streams.”


Dawn Willis

Dawn Willis, the current publisher of the West Orange Times and Windermere Observer owned by the Observer Media Group. West Orange Times & Observer,  Windermere Observer and OrangeObserver.com reaching over 287,500 readers weekly across the West Orange community.

Dawn has over 17 years of experience in the publishing industry and another 20 years of experience in marketing and management. Dawn joined the Observer Group in 2014 and took over as Publisher of the weekly paper in Winter Garden. Prior to joining the Observer, Dawn spent 13 Years in management positions with The New York Times and Halifax Media.

Dawn currently serves on The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, Roper YMCA Board, Winter Garden Rotary and a on the Florida Press Association Board. In addition to serving on the Florida Hospital Advisory Board and Habitat for Humanity. The West Orange Chamber of Commerce awarded Dawn and her team the Business of the Year in 2015.

Dawn is married and has 2 children and 3 beautiful grandchildren.


 

Event Timeslots (1)

– Track 1 –
-
Floridian E
Presenter: Dawn Willis, The West Orange Times & Windermere Observer;
Chris Sexson, Sun Central Media Group

Lunch with exhibitors from Noon - 1:00 pm