News Releases

RTNDA and SPJ at Work on Joint Convention in 2011

CONTACT: Tara Sheehan, 202.834.1270, taras@rtnda.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2009

WASHINGTON–RTNDA is in talks with the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) to hold a joint convention in the Fall of 2011, in addition to holding its annual RTNDA@NAB exhibition in 2010.

The two journalism organizations are working as anchor organizations to pioneer a new concept in bringing together journalists across all platforms to share ideas and work side by side on professional development.

"As our members are working with new partnerships across all media platforms, this is the time to cast off the old silos found in journalism conventions and bring working journalists of all kinds together, coordinating efforts and resources to reach the entire journalism community--broadcasters, print, and online.  One convention would not only be efficient but also provide a platform for training, networking and collaboration on a greater scale,"  said Stacey Woelfel, chairman of RTNDA.  "Our hope is that even more journalism organizations will see the value of the concept and decide to join us."

RTNDA and SPJ are in the initial discussion stages of holding the joint convention in 2011.  A city for the conference, as well as specifics of programming the event, would still need to be agreed upon.

RTNDA will hold its annual RTNDA@NAB convention April 11-14, 2010, in conjunction with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in Las Vegas. SPJ will hold their 2009 annual convention next month in Indianapolis and its 2010 stand-alone convention in Las Vegas in the Fall.

"We remain fully committed and engaged in every effort to make RTNDA@NAB 2010 a strong program for our members," said Woelfel."We are also looking forward to working with NAB and other journalism organizations on the next generation of a journalism-centered convention beyond 2010."

"This is an outstanding partnership for SPJ and we look forward to working with RTNDA on a great convention for members of both organizations and all journalists," SPJ President Dave Aeikens said. "Our goal is to put on the best professional development programs in the country while maintaining the traditions of both organizations."

RTNDA is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTNDA represents local and network news professionals in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.