Editor's Note: Social Media and Web-First Publishing Among Issues to be Addressed at Upcoming Publishing Business Conference & Expo

With nearly 50 educational conference sessions, the 2010 Publishing Business Conference & Expo (PBC) has something for every publishing executive.

Today, we are spotlighting three sessions that are already generating a buzz among our registrants. Be sure to check out the rest of the conference agenda, highlighted by our Keynote Event: A Q&A With Steve Forbes. And don't miss next week's edition of Publishing Business Insider, as we'll be announcing PBC's full lineup of speakers. Register now and save $150 AND receive a free Sony E-reader.

Featured Magazine Session: Executive Roundtable
Tuesday, March 9, 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM

Samir Husni (aka Mr. Magazine) will lead a discussion with several high-profile magazine executives on the challenges facing publishers today, the strategies and tactics enabling their companies to thrive throughout lean times, and the opportunities facing publishers as the economy rebounds.
• Frank Anton, CEO, Hanley Wood
• Eric W. Hoffman, EVP & COO, Hoffman Media
• Samir Husni, aka Mr. Magazine
• Peggy Northrop, V.P., Global Editor-in-Chief, Reader's Digest
• Vicki Wellington, Publisher, Food Network Magazine

Moving to Web-First Publishing
Tuesday, March 9, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Publishers are increasingly looking to the Web to drive ad dollars and generate new revenue opportunities. The challenge: transforming a print-centric company to adapt to Web-first publishing. In this session, you'll learn from leading-edge publishers, how to:
• drive your editorial teams to Web-first content models
• balance the needs of print with new digital demands
• structure your company for cross-media success
… and more.
• Chris Foster, President and COO, GIE Media
• Jerry Steinbrink, VP, Publishing, Consumer Reports
• Matt Steinmetz, Special Projects Editor, Publishing Executive magazine

How to Shift Your Strategy From Circulation to Audience Development
Monday, March 8, 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
Publishers now realize the parallels between print and online audience development, and yet, for some, these functions continue to operate in separate silos. This session will show you how to shift from a silo-ed strategy to a centralized one. You'll also learn: