How could RadioDays be better? #RDE13

Radiodays 2013 is over and it has been a very fruitful experience. Being first time there, I managed to discover lots about the potential of the radio and its status around Europe. I have already written dedicated articles and some dozens of tweets on many topics. But I think a quite useful thing would be to underline a few negative things, which organizers could improve in the next year(s) conferences:

- Entry barrier

700 euros for an entry may seem reasonable for big broadcasters, but it is a huge amount when it comes to start-up companies or community organisations. Along with the travel and accommodation expenses the costs may sum up to 1500 euros per person, which would be as much as two monthly salaries back in my home country, even in majour stations. This is a huge barrier that defines who ends up in attending the conference. As it has been constantly outlined, radio needs innovation; so there must be space for the new and the small ones, since this kind of diversity is often where the best innovations come from. 

Organizers could overcome this but defining a scheme, where the participation price is proportional to the size of the institution or even geographical zones depending on the local income. 

- Lack of presentations from many countries around Europe, particularly South and East

Radiodays come from Northern Europe and this was quite obvious in the origin of the presentations. South and East European countries have their own identity in radio and reflecting this to the content of the conference could lead to fruitful exchanges of experience and practices. In that aspect organizers could work more actively on engaging presenters and participants in a more geographically balanced way. 

- Little said about radio amidst economic crises. 

A heavy wind of financial crisis has been blowing on the airwaves of a big part of Europe. Majour radio stations have gone bankrupt, employees sacked and technologies pulled back. Plotting a wonderful innovative future is nice, but it would be interesting to discuss how radio can survive and achieve progress in hard times.