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It’s journalism conference season. Here’s your guide.

Poynter · Kristen Hare · last updated
It’s journalism conference season. Here’s your guide. — Poynter 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. (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.“ (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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 …” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.” (Screenshot) 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.”