Events - Event View

• You need to make your own hotel reservations for the conference.

• Hotel deadline for reservations is Sept. 14.

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WNPA 2024 CONVENTION PROGRAM

Friday October 4, 2024

11 am to 1 pm
WNPA Board Meeting

2 pm
Tour of the Washington State Library 

with Shawn Schollmeyer, the Washington Digital Newspapers Coordinator

The library’s resources provide rich insight into the history of journalism, but also provide context for any number of stories being researched by journalists. The central library branch in Tumwater collects 132 subscriptions from across the state and maintains the print editions until they are captured on microfilm for long term preservation, and is a repository for state and federal publications, providing a rich resource, including the provenance of legislation. 

4-6 pm

Opening Reception

6 pm 

Dinner on your own

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Breakfast on your own 

Holiday Inn Lacey/Olympia continental breakfast provided

8:45 to 10 am

WNPA membership

Vote on new officers, bylaws changes, status report; Update on WNPA programs. 

10 minute presentation by State Library, Shawn Schollmeyer, the Washington Digital Newspapers Coordinator: brief background on the resources of the state library through her work with libraries, historical societies, and publishers to digitize historic newspapers for public access and provide information about preserving newspaper archives. 

10:15 to 11:45 am

News Workshop – Tom Hallman, Pulitzer prize winner from Oregonian

The 2001 Pulitzer Prize Winner in Feature Writing, Tom Hallman, Jr., has worked at The Oregonian for decades. He was born and raised in Portland. He graduated with a degree in journalism from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in beat reporting in 1995 and feature writing in 1999. 

He worked as a copy editor in New York City for Hearst Magazines, and as a reporter for the Hermiston Herald in Hermiston, OR, and the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick, WA, before joining The Oregonian in 1980. 

Tom will speak about how to bring feature stories to life; what he looks for in a news hook and how he so often lands a tale that stays in readers’ hearts and minds long after they’ve turned the page or closed the laptop.

10:15 to 11:45 am

Ad Workshop - Mike Blinder – What’s Old is New?

More and more research shows that as local advertisers become savvier at understanding digital marketing, they are circling back to seeing value in utilizing traditional legacy media, such as direct mail, broadcast and newspaper advertising. Plus, their messaging goals now include a priority in raising brand awareness, bringing back the value of offering good, “old-fashioned” TOMA (“Top of Mind Awareness”) campaigns. Mike Blinder, Publisher of Editor & Publisher Magazine will run down the latest studies that show the sales strategies we used to deploy years ago are working again. He will also share some effective bundle, print/ digital sales solutions, you can take to market today, to boost long-term, lucrative, local ad dollars. 

Noon to 1:45 pm
Luncheon Event

Master Editor Publisher award & Community Awards

Keynote speaker – Mike Blinder, Publisher

What’s Old is New (Again)

There Is No Better Time to Be Us!

There is no question that our jobs are tougher now as we face shrinking markets and more competition for readers and revenue However, are we living a self-fulfilling prophecy by overthinking the challenges we face while not focusing on the opportunities we have right in front of us? There is a path to profit and success for all publishers when we focus on what we do best. Many know Mike Blinder for his 20+ years as a multimedia consultant who helped generate more than $100 million in ad sales for newspapers all over North America. But 5-years ago, he surprised the entire industry with his purchase of Editor & Publisher Magazine which even during a global pandemic tripled its audience and revenue. Mike will dissect the latest research and data showing that we are still a great industry, with great products and a great future ahead. If we keep our eye on the ball!

2-3:30 pm 

News Workshop  – Terry Ward, AI in the Newsroom: Empowering Responsible Journalism in the Digital Age

Responsible AI Use in the Newsroom is a comprehensive training session designed for reporters and journalists to navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in journalism. This workshop covers the fundamentals of AI in news production, explores its benefits and potential pitfalls, and provides practical guidelines for ethical implementation. The session aims to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills to responsibly integrate AI into their workflows, enhancing their reporting capabilities while upholding the highest standards of journalism.  

Terry Ward, CEO of Ward Media, brings over three decades of comprehensive journalism and media leadership experience. Starting his career as a reporter in 1989, Terry has risen through the ranks of the newspaper industry, gaining invaluable insights at every level. His journey from frontline reporting to executive leadership positions, including Vice President at Sound Publishing and CEO of KPC Media Group, gives him a unique perspective on the evolution of journalism. Terry's hands-on experience and strategic vision make him an ideal guide for journalists navigating the responsible integration of AI tools while maintaining the core values of journalistic integrity.

2-3:30 pm

Ad Workshop – Sean Flaherty & Donna Etchey, Digital Marketing and the roles that newspaper can have

Let’s have a discussion on digital marketing and the roles that newspapers can have in assisting businesses achieve their digital marketing goals.  If you are not currently offering your clients how to market exclusively to consumers or businesses through digital channels, you will not want to miss this session. Some of the topics we will discuss are: Website traffic -  Social media traffic - Click-through rate - Social Media Marketing - Email Marketing and more.

3:30 to 5 pm

News Workshop – PDC, Natalie Johnson

Show me the money: How to use public records on political spending in your reporting  

For more than 50 years, the Public Disclosure Commission has helped the public answer three basic questions: Who gave? Who got? How much? Getting that information has never been easier, thanks to sophisticated and ever-improving tools available on the PDC website that allow members of the public to quickly find and analyze information about spending on campaigns and lobbying. In this workshop, we’ll explore the resources that are available to equip journalists with essential information about money in politics.  

Deputy Director Kim Bradford joined the Public Disclosure Commission in 2017 following a 22-year career in newspaper journalism. She was a reporter, editorial page editor and political editor during her time at the Tri-City Herald and The (Tacoma) News Tribune. Bradford graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Arts in communication and legal studies. 

Communications specialist Natalie Johnson joined the PDC in 2023 after more than 12 years as a reporter and editor at community newspapers in Washington. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and comparative literature. 

3:30 to 5 pm

Ad Workshop – Revenue speed dating for ad reps; Advertising round tables

Come and join your peers in this exciting session where we will have 4 different tables for you to spend 20 minutes at each table discussing topics that range from Special Sections –  New ways to grow your revenue – Increasing ad budgets –  Digital marketing

6 to 7 pm 

Reception 

6:45 pm

Silent auction closes

7 pm

Dinner

7:20 pm 

Live Auction

7:40 – 9:30 pm

BNC presentation