Rob on the Road: Upcoming speaking engagements
By Rob Golub
Back in the day, I wrote a weekly feature column at a daily, called “Rob on the Road.” In the newsroom, people enjoyed poking fun at it when they ran into me – “Rob on the Stairs!”
Now, this distinguished tradition in journalism is back, as a list of upcoming speaking engagements. Yes, you can make fun of me. But please also root for me as I work to get the word out that emotional engagement of a journalism audience is our magic bullet!
Rob on the Road:
April 16-18
Minneapolis
Speaker at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. Speaking in person on emotional engagement and journalism. Exact date and time to be announced.
April 20, 2026
Virtual/National
Virtual panelist at American Society of Journalists and Authors annual conference, “Freelancer’s Blueprint: Navigating A Shifting Landscape.” Panel will be on how to launch and grow a local news operation.
April 10-11, 2026
Minneapolis/St. Paul
Speaker at the Midwest Journalism Conference, in Minnesota, in cooperation with the Society of Professional Journalists. Exact date and time to be announced. Speaking in person on emotional engagement.
March 20-21, 2026
Virtual/New Mexico
Speaker at the New Mexico Local News Fund Summit 2026, in partnership with the University of New Mexico. Exact date and time to be announced. Speaking virtually on emotional engagement.
March 5-7, 2026
San Francisco
Speaker at the ACP National College Journalism Conference. Exact dates and times to be announced. Speaking in person on emotional engagement, basic journalism and other topics.
Feb. 25, 2026
Virtual/National
Virtual panelist at the Jewish Digital News Summit. Panel is on audience retention for news organizations.
Rob in the Past:
Jan. 12, 2026
Miami
Private event for the student newsroom of The Miami Hurricane, University of Miami. Speaking in person on emotional engagement and writing.
Dec. 3, 2025
Chicago
In person speaker, in Chicago: “Connecting Media & Community: Reframing Purpose, Possibility and Partnerships,” a one-day conference by Public Narrative. Dec. 3, 2025. Speaking on emotional engagement.
Like what you read?
I’m building a movement for greater trust in journalism, rooted in emotional engagement of audiences. If this resonates with you, please forward this to a colleague or friend who cares about the future of local or community news.
For additional practical steps, check out the Successful Journalism One-Sheet Guide.
Together, we can create journalism that communities believe in.