Spend a spring weekend with fellow journalists in Norfolk, Virginia!
The conference will kick off Friday, April 8 with a reception in Norfolk. Meet conference participants and start networking in advance of Saturday’s professional development sessions.
The Norfolk Waterside Marriott will host Saturday’s professional development programming. SPJ will also celebrate Mark of Excellence Award winners from across Region 2 during a luncheon, with a keynote address from Bill Adair, editor of Politifact.
As an added value, Friday and Saturday sessions hosted by the Virginia Press Association will be open to all SPJ conference attendees. SPJ members may attend VPA meals on an a la carte basis.
Saturday will be packed with professional development programs to strengthen your career and reboot your skills. Please contact Patrick Kane of the Virginia Pro Chapter with any questions about the event.
Schedule
Friday, April 8
SPJ Reception
Location TBA
Saturday, April 9
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Registration open
8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Continental breakfast & coffee
Hampton Ballroom 2
8 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
Conference kickoff
Hampton Ballroom 2
Greetings: Nicole McMullin, Va. Pro Chapter SPJ
Regional update: Region 2 Director Brian Eckert
SPJ National update: Secretary-Treasurer John Ensslin
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Supersession: Social Media Ethics
Hampton Ballroom 2
Moderator: Cathy M. Jackson, Ph.D., journalism professor, Norfolk State University
Panelists:
John Ensslin, SPJ secretary-treasurer
Alex Howard, Government 2.0 reporter, O’Reilly Media
Nicole Livas, WAVY TV Norfolk, Va.
Jenn Riggle, associate vice president, CRT/tanaka
Leanna Caplan, WAVY TV Norfolk, Va.
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions A
College media, pro problems
Hampton Ballroom 2
Moderator: Joyce Hoffman, Old Dominion University
Panelists:
Sue Kopen Katcef, University of Maryland
Frank LoMonte, Student Press Law Center
Zack Crizer, The Collegiate Times, Virginia Tech
Civil War Sesquicentennial: stories today from 150 years ago
Hampton Ballroom 3
Moderator: Steve Taylor, D.C. Pro SPJ
Panelists:
Mike Litterst, Office of Communications, Civil War 150th Anniversary, National Park Service
Cheryl Jackson, Executive Director of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission
Tamela Baker, editor, America’s Civil War
Jennifer Carnam, vice president of marketing and/or Erin Bagnell, PR manager, Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau
Cathy M. Jackson, Ph.D., journalism professor, Norfolk State University
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon presented by The Virginian-Pilot
Norfolk 5
Banquet luncheon served
Introduction of keynote speaker by emcee Nicole Livas
Keynote speaker, Bill Adair, editor of Politifact
Mark of Excellence Awards presentation
Virginia Press Association collegiate awards presentation
1:30-3 p.m.
Breakout Sessions B
Freelancing, odd jobs and life after corporate media
Hampton Ballroom 2
Moderator: Bonnie Newman Davis, professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Panelists:
Casey Quinlan, Mighty Casey Media, author of Cancer for Christmas
Michael Patrick, Chair of the Journalism Department, Regent University
Nancy Wright Beasley, freelancer and author of “Izzy’s Fire”
Carla Davis, editor of Best Friends magazine, Best Friends Animal Society
Digital Success Stories: What’s working for news, PR and advertising
Hampton Ballroom 3
Moderator: Patrick Kane, The Progress-Index
Panelists:
Priya Ramesh, director of social media , CRT/tanaka
Alex Marcelewski, senior product manager, Media General
Elliott Robinson, managing editor, The Hopewell News & Patriot
2-4 p.m.
“Speed dating” for editors and freelancers
Hampton Ballrooms Foyer
Bring your charm and your clips! Freelancers will have several minutes to make their pitch to a select group of editors from across the Mid-Atlantic. Sign up early – seats are limited.
Contact organizer Stephenie Overman, D.C. Pro SPJ
3:15-4:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions C
FOIA: a dose of sunshine
Hampton Ballroom 2
Moderator: Steve Taylor, D.C. Pro SPJ
Panelists:
T.C. Cameron, co-chair, Maryland Pro Chapter SPJ
Dick Hammerstrom, The Free Lance-Star
David Poole, Virginia Public Access Project
50 ideas in 90 minutes: Fresh ideas to take back to your newsroom
Don’t mistake this for any ordinary panel – you’ll be involved in a big brainstorming session led by our moderator and panelists.
Hampton Ballroom 3
Moderator: John Ensslin
Panelists:
Alexander Howard, government 2.0 reporter, O’Reilly Media
Jason Roop, editor, Style Weekly
Deb Markham, multimedia producer, www.PilotOnline.com
Other events and activities
Student clips/tapes critiques
Professional SPJ and VPA members will help students critically examine their work.
Silent Auction to benefit Sigma Delta Chi Foundation scholarship fund
A silent auction will be held to benefit the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation, which offers scholarships to Virginia journalism students.
Contact organizer Brian Eckert, Region 2 Director
Interested in serving on a panel or assisting with another event at the spring conference? Contact Patrick Kane for details.
Virginia Press Association
Check out the Virginia Press Assocation schedule of events, (PDF) which will also take place in the Waterside Marriott Friday and Saturday. All panels and workshops are open to SPJ attendees, and meal tickets may be purchased on an a la carte basis (PDF).
Hotel Information
235 East Main Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
1-800-874-0264 toll free
(757) 627-4200 local
Request the “Virginia Press Association” rate for a block of rooms for the price of $126 per night for a single or double room. Make your reservations early!