More than 400 radio broadcasters took part in Momentum '09, sponsored by Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB), which concluded this weekend at Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla.

Linda Meyers, executive director for CMB, said that Christian music broadcasting has grown 198% in the past 10 years and "oversold" the event with double the attendance than what was expected.

Momentum '09 included educational tracks on subjects such as programming strategy, digital music, shareathons and donor relationships as well as performances by a wide range of artists, including Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant, Phil Stacey, Jeremy Camp and MercyMe. Meals and events during the weekend were sponsored by Christian music companies, such as Integrity Label Group, Provident Label Group, EMI CMG and Word Records.

Although the group has and will continue to sponsor regional events, Momentum '09 was the first national event sponsored by CMB, which formed in 2002 to "unite, develop and protect Christian radio," Meyers said.

Don Burns, program director for KXGM in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, compared the event to the CMB track during April's Gospel Music Week, but said that Momentum was "a lot quicker pace and more concentrated."

Although Meyers did not comment on how the new event would impact Gospel Music week, Burns said: "In my opinion, this will replace (the GMA radio track). Attendance at Gospel Music Week wasn't as big as this is."

The conference also coincided with Disney's annual Night of Joy Christian music concert series. On Saturday evening, INO Records sponsored a VIP event for conference attendees at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.

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