It’s unofficially summer and that means it’s officially journalism conference season. Maybe you’re on the circuit, attending a few and pitching sessions. Maybe you’ve never been but this is the year your newsroom finally approved the cost and time. Or maybe you just enjoy scanning social media and seeing smart people together discussing the issues facing our industry.
Whatever your needs, here’s a quick guide to help you navigate several months’ worth of opportunities to learn, network and maybe even find your next job. Also, if the costs seem too high, look for opportunities to volunteer or apply for scholarships. Many conferences offer both.
If you can’t make any conferences this year, you can always keep up with the highlights, starting with News Product Alliance’s roundup from its recent forum. Take a look at this year’s International Symposium of Online Journalism in Austin, the Collaborative Journalism Summit in Detroit and N3Con in Singapore. You can also check out the WAN-IFRA (or World Association of News Publishers) conference that’s happening now in Denmark.
Now dust off your lanyard collection, dig through that bag of swag you swore you’d use and prepare for your next work adventure.
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PMJA
Who runs it? Public Media Journalists Association
When is it? June 5-7
Where is it? Washington, D.C.
Cost: Members cost $575, nonmembers cost $850, student members cost $200 and student nonmembers cost $300
PMJA’s conference site reads “We want to focus attention on how local news plays a vital role in strengthening democracy and build the capacity of public media journalists as they cover the 2024 elections.”
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Health Journalism 2024
Who runs it? Association of Health Care Journalists
When is it? June 6-9
Where is it? New York City
Cost: Onsite registration costs $175 for a single day and $450 for the full conference.
According to AHCJ, “Join us for an unparalleled event as we bring together journalists, health care professionals, policymakers and experts from various fields to explore and discuss the latest trends, challenges and innovations in health journalism.”
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INN Days
Who runs it? Institute for Nonprofit News
When is it? June 11-12
Where is it? San Diego, California
Cost: Registration is closed, but this is a good one to mark for next year.
According to its site, “INN Days brings together leaders across the nonprofit news field to highlight examples, share practical skills, and host solutions-focused conversations on the challenges and opportunities to fund and increase access to quality news and information that connects communities, holds the powerful accountable and strengthens our democracy.”
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RTDNA24
Who runs it? Radio Television Digital News Association
When is it? June 12-14
Where is it? Milwaukee
Cost: $295 for members, $185 for student members, $485 for nonmembers
According to the event site, “RTDNA24 is a one-of-a-kind news-leadership retreat designed with you in mind. Whether you’re a news manager with decades of experience or an early career journalist, let us help refresh your mind, restore your well-being, rekindle your creativity and reconnect with some of the brightest minds in journalism. ”
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2024 NNPA Annual National Convention
Who runs it? National Newspaper Publishers Association
When is it? June 19-22
Where is it? Baltimore
Cost: $350
From its about page: “NNPA is a trade association of the more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers from around the United States. Since its founding 79 years ago, NNPA has consistently been the voice of the Black community and an incubator for news that makes history and impacts our country.”
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IRE 2024
Who runs it? IRE and NICAR (that’s Investigative Reporters and Editors and National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting)
When is it? June 20-23
Where is it? Anaheim, California
Cost: $100 for students, $425 for professionals
This annual investigative conference offers sessions that, according to a recent tweet, “will teach you about election coverage, public records, storytelling strategies, beat reporting, data journalism and so much more.”
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GlobalFact 11
Who runs it? Poynter’s International Fact-Checking Network
When is it? June 26-28
Where is it? Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cost: Virtual tickets cost $49, in-person costs $399
According to the description, “More than 3,700 people have attended GlobalFact conferences since 2014. Past conference locations have included London, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Rome, Cape Town, Oslo and Seoul. During the pandemic, thousands of people across 16 time zones attended the summit virtually in 2020 and 2021. Numerous industry-leading projects and fact-checking advancements have originated through past GlobalFacts, including International Fact-Checking Day, the IFCN Code of Principles and partnerships with major tech companies.”
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NAHJ 40th Anniversary Conference and Expo
Who runs it? National Association of Hispanic Journalists
When is it? July 9-13
Where is it? Hollywood, California
Cost: $399 for members, $175 for student members, $550 for nonmembers, $250 for nonmember students (the deadline to register is May 31.)
According to NAHJ, “The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is the leading organization for Latinos in the media. We are dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Latinos in the news industry, plus excellence in coverage of the entire Latino community.“
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AAN Convention
Who runs it? Association of Alternative Newsmedia
When is it? July 10-12
Where is it? Charleston, South Carolina
Cost: For members, early bird registration costs $299. For nonmembers, it costs $899.
From its about page, AAN “provides services and leadership that ensure its members’ success and strengthen narrative, investigative and community journalism through advocacy and education. AAN focuses on accelerating member success through various initiatives, always with an eye toward excellent journalism and community engagement.”
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Indigenous Media Conference
Who runs it? Indigenous Journalists Association
When is it? July 25-27
Where is it? Oklahoma City
Cost: Early bird rates are available through May 31. Tickets cost $300 for members, $400 for nonmembers and $100 for students.
According to its about page, IJA “exists to empower the Indigenous voice through journalism with programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote the accurate portrayal of Indigenous people and cultures.”
NABJ 2024 Convention and Career Fair
Who runs it? National Association of Black Journalists
When is it? July 31-August 4
Where is it? Chicago
Cost: Pre-registration, which ends June 1, costs $380 for members, $200 for student members, $550 for nonmembers and $250 for nonmember students.
According to NABJ’s site, “This year’s convention in the Windy City will attract industry leaders, innovators, and influencers in journalism, media, technology, business, government, community service, health, arts, entertainment, academia, and more. Join us as thousands of the nation’s best and brightest journalists, media executives, journalism educators, communications and marketing professionals, and students unite in a vibrant city where the Black community has had a lasting impact on culture and history worldwide, including a legacy of thriving Black-owned businesses and cultural institutions.”
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2024 AAJA Convention
Who runs it? Asian American Journalists Association
When is it? August 7-11
Where is it? Austin, Texas
Cost: Through June 19, early bird registration costs $315 for members, $150 for student members, $525 for nonmembers and $175 for nonmember students.
This year’s theme is “Meeting the Moment.” According to AAJA’s site, “It recognizes that amid tough times, our work as Asian American and Pacific Islander journalists is more important than ever. We encourage attendees to be fully present as we gather in the Texas state capital during an election year to engage with what’s happening right now — and what’s set to happen — in journalism, politics, and society.”
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AEJMC
Who runs it? Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
When is it? August 8-11
Where is it? Philadelphia
Cost: Through July 15, attendance costs $285 and $175 for students and retirees.
From the conference’s site: “Be prepared to attend excellent sessions, informative workshops, activities, and exciting socials. Each day will be an opportunity to learn from colleagues and absorb knowledge about the industry.”
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SRCCON 2024
Who runs it? OpenNews
When is it? August 15-16
Where is it? Minneapolis
Cost: Prices are in tiers depending on the size of your newsroom. They range from $275 to $695.
According to its website: “Our participants represent organizations ranging from massive to tiny, and come from all over the U.S. and many other countries. SRCCON participants are developers, designers, journalists, editors, and allies: the practitioners and leaders who are transforming their newsrooms into more representative and innovative places to work. Participants come to SRCCON to change journalism by creating more intentional processes, better relationships with the communities they cover, and new ways to engage and inform people.”
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Media Party
Who runs it? Media Party
When is it? August 29-31
Where is it? Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cost: Free
From Media Party’s site: “Media Party invites journalists, software developers, designers and entrepreneurs to work together for the future of media, news and our societies …”
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2024 NLGJA National Convention
Who runs it? NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists
When is it? September 5-8
Where is it? Los Angeles
Cost: Members cost $370, nonmembers cost $505, student members cost $200, student nonmembers cost $250.
According to its about page, NLGJA “is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ issues.”
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Independent News Sustainability Summit
Who runs it? Local Independent Online News Publishers
When is it? September 5-7
Where is it? Chicago
Cost: Through June 28, tickets cost $65 for members and $115 for nonmembers
From the conference description: “Hosted by LION Publishers, this event will gather independent news publishers, industry experts, and supporters of independent news to share expert knowledge, hard-won lessons, and actionable advice on running a news business while being in community with people who care deeply about strengthening the local news ecosystem.”
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JAWS CAMP
Who runs it? Journalism & Women Symposium
When is it? September 13-15
Where is it? New Orleans
Cost: Early bird registration costs $375 for members, $500 for nonmembers and $150 for students.
From JAWS’ FAQs: “This will be JAWS’ 39th CAMP. While the format and size have varied over the years, the goal has not: bringing women journalists from different specialties, beats, demographics and geographies together share with, learn from and empower each other. There will be structured presentations and workshops, planned social events and free time for unstructured relationship-building and city exploration.”
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LMA Fest 2024
Who runs it? Local Media Association
When is it? September 23-25
Where is it? Chicago
Cost: Free for members, $695 for nonmembers
According to its site, this will be “a unique event focused on revenue, opportunities, and the future of local media.”
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Radically Rural
Who runs it? The Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship and The Keene Sentinel
When is it? September 25-26
Where is it? Keene, New Hampshire
Cost: Tickets are tiered depending on need, from $50 to $225
From the about us page: “Radically Rural (RR) is a grassroots movement founded in Keene, NH, that aims to amplify collective rural impact by connecting folks with each other and with ideas. Through virtual Roundtables, our annual September summit, chat groups, and more, RR offers a platform for rural leaders across the country to learn from each other. Every year, the RR summit in New Hampshire convenes hundreds of diverse and interesting people, cultivates engaging and memorable sessions, and offers great local food and entertainment — all wrapped up in an amazing small New England town experience. Our attendees leave the Radically Rural Summit overflowing with great ideas and filled with inspiration.”
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ONA 24
Who runs it? The Online News Association
When is it? September 18-21
Where is it? Atlanta
Cost: Through June 13, tickets cost $350 for members, $150 for student members, $175 for nonmember students and $650 for nonmembers.
From the about page, “ONA’s conferences provide a platform to learn, connect and contribute to shaping the future of digital journalism. Attendees represent global news outlets, local news startups, technology companies, universities and the broader ecosystem of journalism support organizations.”
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ACES VCON 24
Who runs it? ACES, The Society for Editing
When is it? September 25-27
Where is it? For the third year in a row, this one is virtual.
Cost: Prices aren’t yet listed. Registration opens in July.
According to ACES, “if you work with language and want to connect with editors, communication professionals, and language experts from around the globe who share a common goal: to improve the quality of the written word and the working lives of editors.”
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NNAF’s 138th Convention and Trade Show
Who runs it? National Newspaper Association Foundation
When is it? September 26-27
Where is it? Omaha, Nebraska
Cost: Full registration costs $435, nonmember registration costs $625
According to the description, this event will “address pressing business objectives of community newspaper owners, publishers and senior staff with educational sessions and peer sharing activities and the opportunity to connect with newspaper vendor partners.”
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America’s Newspapers Senior Leadership Conference
Who runs it? America’s Newspapers
When is it? October 20-22
Where is it? Charleston, South Carolina
Cost: $850 for members, $1,100 for non-members
From the event’s site: The Senior Leadership Conference is perfect for group leaders, publishers, general managers and other senior executives from markets of all sizes.
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Women in Visual Journalism
Who runs it? National Press Photographers Association
When is it? October 26-27
Where is it? Dallas
Cost: $75 for members, $100 for nonmembers, $10 for student members, $20 for nonmember students
According to the conference description, “Television reporters, still and TV photojournalists, online journalists, freelancers, and documentary filmmakers — this conference has something for every visual storyteller. There are so many ways to tell stories — this event embraces them all — because we are better together.”
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International Journalism Festival
Who runs it? The International Journalism Festival
When is it? April 9-13, 2025
Where is it? Perugia, Italy
Cost: Free
Who should attend? From the conference’s FAQ, “The biggest annual media event in Europe. The 2023 festival had 188 sessions and 539 speakers in the 5-day program.”
