The PRNDI 2019 conference began with opening remarks from Alicia Zuckerman, PRNDI's Board President, who discussed a possible name change for the organization, and Nancy Barnes, NPR's Senior Vice President of News, who covered the role of public media and newsroom collaboration.
Zuckerman, who is also the Editorial Director for WLRN in Miami, highlighted the history of PRNDI during her speech. Last year the organization hired its first full-time employees after being lead almost entirely by volunteers throughout its history.