Journalism conferences provide valuable teaching and networking, but choosing which to attend can be overwhelming, especially when dates overlap and travel gets expensive.
From digital media to editing to data journalism, there are options around the U.S. for all interests and budgets. Here’s a roundup of more than 30 conferences from June 2018 to May 2019, in chronological order.
This list isn’t comprehensive, and we want to add more — are we missing a conference that should be included? Email tblatchford@poynter.org or tweet at @blatchfordtr.
Online News Association Local Summit
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Dates: June 8-9, 2018
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Location: Detroit, Michigan
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Prices: free
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Description: “The ONA Local Summit is a free leadership workshop for people who build communities of innovators in news. We’re opening up our flagship workshop for ONA Local group organizers to anyone who wants to learn how to lead innovation in their newsroom and in their city's journalism community.”
Investigative Reporters and Editors
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Dates: June 14-17, 2018
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Location: Orlando, Florida
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Prices: range from $299 to $359 depending on registration date; $100 for students
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Description: “Reboot your skills, recharge your watchdog batteries and reconnect with the world’s largest network of investigative journalists during this year’s gathering in Orlando. Choose from more than 150 panels, hands-on classes and special presentations. Learn how to improve reporting and storytelling across all platforms.”
Associated Press Sports Editors
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Dates: June 17-20, 2018
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Location: Nashville, Tennessee
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Prices: range from $125 to $300 depending on publication size and registration date; $75 to $100 for students
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Description: “The Associated Press Sports Editors is a professional organization of administrative sports executives, their assistants & other sports department employees. The purposes of the organization are to improve professional standards of member organizations, to discuss and attempt to resolve issues faced by the same and to recognize professional excellence among the membership.”
Association for Women in Sports Media
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Dates: June 21-24, 2018
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Prices: registration closed; was $325 for professionals and $250 for students
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Description: “Our events offer educational and networking opportunities while featuring some of the most respected individuals in the industry. From panel discussions to workshops to social outings — AWSM provides something for everyone. AWSM works to promote and increase diversity in sports media through career-enhancement networking and mentoring initiatives as well as the internship/scholarship program.”
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Dates: June 28-29, 2018
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Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Prices: $225 plus fees; application required
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Description: “SRCCON is a hands-on conference, full of conversations and workshops focused on the practical challenges that news technology and data teams encounter every day. We work to make it an inclusive and welcoming event where people can feel comfortable digging into complex problems. Over two days, 300 attendees will gather for nearly 50 sessions that reflect the values of this community.”
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
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Dates: July 18-21, 2018
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Location: Miami, Florida
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Prices: range from $250 to $550 depending on membership status and registration date; $150 to $250 for students
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Description: “Our 2018 International Training Conference and Career Fair brings together the top trainers to create a curriculum and hands on education to help advance careers and develop leaders in the newsroom. You’ll have a chance to network with a diverse community and among talent development executives that create opportunity personally for NAHJ members.”
National Native Media Conference
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Date: July 18-21, 2018
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Location: Miami, Florida
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Prices: range from $250 to $550 depending on membership status and registration date; $150 to $250 for students
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Description: “In association with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), NAJA will present the joint journalism expo and career fair where attendees can network directly with recruiters, gain hands-on experience with the latest tech tools and invest in their careers with personal resume critiques and more. All attendees will have the opportunity to attend all NAJA/NAHJ breakout programs and international training sessions with paid registration. The conference program is aimed at providing education, professional skills-building, and serving as an arena for discussion of new insights on media in Indian Country.”
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Dates: July 20-22, 2018
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Location: Grapevine, Texas
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Price: $425; $225 for students
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Description: “The Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference is a forum for journalists, writers, readers, students, educators and the general public to listen to, be inspired by and practice their craft at the highest possible level. With its 2018 theme, "Are You Not Entertained? Real People, Real Stories, Real Storytelling," the 14th annual conference will demonstrate how, on an everyday basis, journalists are addressing the pressure to tell compelling, newsworthy stories that inform and – now, more than ever – entertain.”
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Dates: July 24-25, 2018
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Location: New York, New York
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Prices: range from $10 to $35
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Description: “The Journalism 360 Unconference is a unique opportunity to connect creators, producers, newsroom leaders, and technologists in the immersive storytelling space. It’s the only conference of its kind to focus on newsroom practices and innovations within virtual, augmented and mixed reality, as well as 360 video.”
National Association of Black Journalists
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Dates: August 1-5, 2018
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Location: Detroit, Michigan
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Prices: range from $275 to $600 depending on membership status and registration date; $225 to $350 for students
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Description: “The 2018 NABJ Annual Convention & Career Fair is the premier venue for journalism education, career development and networking opportunity that draws leaders in journalism, media, technology, business, arts and entertainment. Over 3,000 of the nation’s top journalists, media executives, public relations professionals and students will gather in Detroit.”
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
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Dates: August 6-9, 2018
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Location: Washington, D.C.
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Prices: range from $195 to $315 depending on membership status and registration date; $105 to $155 for students
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Description: “AEJMC has the largest audience of journalism and mass communication educators at the college level, all in one location. The theme of the AEJMC 2018 conference is ‘Strengthening our community: Working together to build scholars, educators, and engaged academic citizens.’”
Asian American Journalists Association
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Dates: August 8-11, 2018
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Location: Houston, Texas
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Prices: range from $275 to $625 depending on membership status and registration date; $150 to $275 for students
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Description: “Every summer, the Asian American Journalists Association brings together journalists from around the country to learn, grow and network. From skills training and job opportunities, to exciting guest speakers and social events, we'll have something for everyone.”
The Association of LGBTQ Journalists
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Dates: Sept. 6-9, 2018
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Location: Palm Springs, California
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Prices: range from $370 to $580 depending on membership status and registration date; $200 to $325 for students
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Description: “Join more than 350 journalists, news executives, communications professionals and educators. NLGJA is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues.”
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Dates: Sept. 11-12, 2018
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Location: Austin, Texas
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Prices: $275 for members and $375 for nonmembers; $50 for students
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Description: “You will be inundated with tips and advice on how to lead your newsroom in 2018 and going forward. For two full days, the conference will cover the latest innovations in content and technology, leadership strategies, new business models and more.”
Society for Features Journalism
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Dates: Sept. 12-15, 2018
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Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
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Prices: range from $250 to $450 depending on membership status and registration date; $125 for students
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Description: “Our 2018 theme is renewal: Come renew your skills and renew your spirit. We’ll offer Pulitzer Prize-winning writers, a ton of ideas to steal, the always amazing silent auction and, of course, great food! The Society for Features Journalism promotes the craft of writing and innovation in lifestyle, arts and entertainment journalism.”
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Dates: Sept. 13-15, 2018
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Location: Austin, Texas
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Prices: range from $439 to $989 depending on membership status and registration date; $150 to $175 for students
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Description: “There’s no better place than the Online News Association’s annual conference to learn about the latest digital trends from industry leaders, test new tools and connect with peers to share your work. We’re committed to continuing that tradition — bringing together the brightest minds in digital journalism to share innovative ideas and imagine what’s possible for the future.”
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Dates: Sept. 24-26, 2018
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Location: Key Biscayne, Florida
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Prices: $3,095 to $4,995
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Description: “The Digiday Publishing Summit will gather hundreds of publishing executives to discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital publishing. Attendees will have the chance to learn from industry leaders through smart, honest discussion and develop meaningful connections with senior executives.”
Association of Food Journalists
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Dates: Sept. 25-30, 2018
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Prices: $375 to $525 depending on membership status and registration date
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Description: “Members of this international group meet at an annual conference to discuss topics ranging from food history to reader engagement. AFJ is a professional organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating responsible food journalism across media platforms.”
Excellence in Journalism (RTDNA and SPJ)
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Dates: Sept. 27-29, 2018
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Location: Baltimore, Maryland
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Prices: range from $230 to $630 depending on membership status and registration date; $175 to $375 for students
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Description: “The Excellence in Journalism Conference is the premier gathering of highly engaged journalists working in all forms of media. Nearly 1,000 attendees will gather to learn about new digital tools, technologies and career opportunities. We will take a deeper dive into the #MeToo movement, discuss developments and challenges for journalism and the midterm elections, plus take advantage of networking events and reconnect with colleagues, friends and new connections.”
Society of Environmental Journalists
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Dates: Oct. 3-7, 2018
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Location: Flint, Michigan
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Prices: range from $220 to $1400 depending on membership status and registration date; $90 for students
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Description: “Welcome to the largest annual gathering of environmental journalists on the planet, a conference that will expand your professional network and update you on the full range of environmental news: climate change, energy, food, water, environmental justice and more. Together, we’ll also envision the future of news, and hone the skills journalists need to thrive.”
Local Independent Online News Publishers
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Dates: Oct. 11-13, 2018
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Location: Chicago, Illinois
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Prices: range from $95 to $245 depending on membership status and registration date; $35 for students
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Description: “The organization’s gathering in Chicago will be an opportunity for people who are in the business of local journalism or care about its future to discuss common issues and problems, share success stories and encourage the founding of new local news sites. Each event will feature an informative slate of speakers, workshops and panels on topics relating to local publishing, covering real-world strategies for revenue, hands-on technology demonstrations, effective reporting tips, and experts speaking on business and legal issues.”
Journalism and Women Symposium
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Dates: Oct. 12-14, 2018
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Location: Welches, Oregon
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Prices: range from $345 to $500 depending on membership status and registration date
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Description: “We have been holding this annual gathering each year since the organization was formed in 1988. This year's CAMP will offer professional development, training, inspiring speakers and an opportunity to support networking, mentoring and friendship among women in journalism.”
National College Media Convention
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Dates: Oct. 25-28, 2018
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Location: Louisville, Kentucky
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Prices: range from $105 to $155 for students depending on membership status and registration date; $125 to $205 for advisers and nonstudents
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Description: “The multi-day convention will include networking opportunities, informative panel discussions, hands-on tutorials, and access to media professionals. The event will cover all aspects of college media, from rapidly changing multimedia platforms to newspaper, broadcast, yearbook and magazine journalism. Students will also benefit from career-focused sessions with guidance on life after graduation. Advisers will be offered special programming focused on their specific challenges. There will be more than 275 sessions at the event.”
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Dates: Oct. 26-27, 2018
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Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
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Price: range from $50 to $95; $10 for students
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Description: “MobileMe&You 2018 is a journalism and technology conference uniquely focused on storytelling on mobile media platforms while highlighting new and innovative techniques and best practices for newsgathering using phones, drones, sensors, 360 video, virtual reality and social media platforms.”
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Dates: Nov. 15-16, 2018
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Location: Chicago, Illinois
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Price: $25
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Description: “We believe that successful engagement is inherently collaborative, and that ‘engaged’ journalism extends beyond the work of the newsroom. This two-day conference provides tools for journalists, civic-engagement specialists and community storytellers to create a more collaborative and equitable news landscape by strengthening the connections between news organizations and the people they cover. We’ll take a hands-on approach to explore where educators, artists, tech developers and others share common goals with journalists.”
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Dates: March 7-10, 2019
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Location: Newport Beach, California
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Prices: TBD; last year ranged from $299 to $359 depending on registration date, $100 for students
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Description: “Join IRE and NICAR for our annual conference devoted to data journalism. Come and learn about tools you need to dig deeper into stories and give readers, viewers and your online audience the information they're demanding. You'll come away with story ideas, plenty of inspiration and tools to help you overcome typical data hurdles.”
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Dates: March 8-17, 2019
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Location: Austin, Texas
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Prices: TBD; last year ranged from $825 to $1650 depending on registration date and pass type, $875 for students
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Description: “The South by Southwest Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film and music industries. Explore how news, journalism and analysis is dispersed, how it will be impacted by the future of technology and how this content will continue to inform and engage. The event, an essential destination for global professionals, features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities.”
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Date: March 22-24, 2019
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Location: Boston, Massachusetts
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Prices: $275 to $350 depending on registration date; $50 to $150 for students
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Description: “The Power of Narrative Conference has convened in several places under several names since its founding at Boston University in 1998. Our mission remains constant as storytelling journalism goes digital: helping narrative journalists to strengthen their craft skills, puzzle out the complex ethics of intimate journalism, and impart the down-to-earth humanity that is the genre's strength.”
Association of Writers and Publishers
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Dates: March 27-30, 2019
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Location: Portland, Oregon
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Prices: range from $150 to $315 depending on membership status and registration date; $50 to $65 for students
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Description: “The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature.”
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Dates: March 28-30, 2019
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Location: Providence, Rhode Island
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Prices: range from $300 to $850 depending on membership status and registration date; $115 to $235 for students
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Description: “ACES has been the nation’s premier editing conference since 1997. Editors in a wide range of industries come together to get quality training from recognized experts in the field. They attend to gain practical, hands-on education that helps them improve their editing skills; the latest information on trends in language, style, and usage; and a chance to network with peers from across the world.”
International Symposium on Online Journalism
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Dates: April 12-13, 2019
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Location: Austin, Texas
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Prices: TBD; last year ranged from $100 to $200 depending on registration date; $50 to $75 for students
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Description: “The International Symposium on Online Journalism is an annual gathering of editors, producers, executives and academics from around the world who convene at the to discuss the evolution of online journalism. ISOJ started in 1999 as a small, but very intense one-day conference. It has grown throughout the years to become a unique international conference that serves as a barometer for the state of online journalism globally.”
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