Convention Features & Events

August 1-4, 2007, Miami, Florida
Hyatt Regency Miami

PRE-CONVENTION

J CAMP & RECEPTION

Friday-Wednesday, July 27-Aug. 1 (program)
Tuesday, July 31, 6-8 p.m. (reception)

High school students from across the country will be participating in this intensive, multicultural journalism program. Session and workshop activities include hands-on training in writing, photography, television broadcasting, online media, and reporting. The reception at J Camp's conclusion will offer students the opportunity to meet with media professionals -- and for invited media professionals to meet with some of the country's brightest young people. J Camp 2007 is made possible through a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation with major support from The McClatchy Company. Additional media sponsors are Bloomberg, ESPN, the Radio-Television News Directors Association & Foundation, The Wall Street Journal, and The University of Miami's School of Communications. Additional support is provided by the AAJA Arizona Chapter, AAJA Chicago Chapter, AAJA Hawaii Chapter, AAJA Los Angeles Chapter, AAJA Minnesota Chapter, AAJA New York Chapter, AAJA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, AAJA Texas Chapter, AAJA Washington D.C. Chapter, contributions to AAJA’s 25th Anniversary Endowment, and the parents of J Camp alumni.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
ADVANCED SESSION & RECEPTION

Tuesday, July 31, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (program)
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (program followed by luncheon)
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 6-7 p.m. (reception)
Hyatt Regency Miami

Graduates of AAJA's Executive Leadership Program (ELP) are invited to a two-day session to further develop their professional goals to become newsroom leaders. The session will provide additional training in leadership and work/life balance issues, and conclude with a networking luncheon featuring a panel discussion by top industry professionals. A reception prior to the convention's opening will provide for an additional networking opportunity for ELP alumni, trainers and media executives. ELP is funded in part through a grant from the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation. The Advanced Session is co-sponsored by The McClatchy Company, The New York Times, Time Inc. and The Washington Post. Additional support is provided by contributions to AAJA's 25th Anniversary Endowment. The Reception sponsored by Leading Edge Associates.

MEDIA INSTITUTES

Wednesday, Aug. 1, Hyatt Regency Miami and off site

Attend a full- or half-day professional development seminar before the convention begins. Free and open to all convention registrants, based on space availability. Advance registration highly recommended. See Media Institutes Schedule for details.

• Multimedia Presentations: New Skills For A New Era In Journalism. Presented and sponsored by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Orlando Sentinel.
• Watchdog Journalism: New Techniques And Resources For Investigations Into Your Community. Presented by Investigative Reporters and Editors.
• The One-Day Poynter Tv Storytelling Bootcamp. Presented by The Poynter Institute.
• Investigating Businesses In Your Backyard. Presented by the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism.
• Journalism Today: An Introduction To The Multimedia Skills You Need To Succeed In The Modern Newsroom. Presented by The New York Times.

STUDENT NIGHT

Wednesday, Aug. 1, 5-7 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

All students registered for convention are invited to gather at this event devoted to aspiring journalists. Convention planners are surveying students to design an all new event that will allow for students to meet and exchange stories with other students from across the country, as well as mingle with media professionals. Exclusively for students and invited media professionals. Co-sponsored by Media General.

NEWCOMERS' ORIENTATION

Wednesday, Aug. 1, 5-6 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Those who will be attending their first AAJA convention are invited to this session to help navigate you through everything from the workshops to the late-night events. Remember to check the "first time attending convention" box on your convention registration form. Speakers:Henry Moritsugu, veteran journalist and Assistant News Editor at Newsday, Inc., Moritsugu has attended every AAJA national convention since the inaugural convention in 1987. He also served as the fourth president of the New York chapter; Ken Ma, Senior Public Relations Coordinator, Nova Southeastern University. Moderator: Charles Q. Choi, Freelance Reporter

Hosted by the AAJA New York Chapter. Sponsored by the South Florida Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists

ONGOING

CONVENTION STUDENT MULTIMEDIA PROJECT

Monday-Saturday, July 30-Aug. 4, Hyatt Regency Miami

Selected through a competitive process, students will cover the convention by producing a daily newspaper, radio and television newscasts, and an online news site. Supervised and mentored by industry professionals, students will get hands-on experience with convergence reflected in the newsrooms of today. Student Multimedia Project co-sponsored by ABC News, AZN Television: the Network for Asian America, Belo, Bloomberg, ESPN, National Public Radio, and Toyota. Newspaper printing sponsored by The McClatchy Co./The Miami Herald.

WORKSHOPS

Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 2-4, Hyatt Regency Miami

The main focus of the convention is a series of 90-minute professional development workshops covering issues important to journalists of every platform and experience level. This year, convention planners are scheduling 45 workshops over three days, including Saturday, to allow convention participants to attend an additional session. See page 4 for workshops to date.

CAREER FAIR

Thursday-Friday, Aug. 2-3, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Recruiters and other representatives from print, broadcast and online industries come to the Career Fair from across the country to search for the most qualified candidates for their newsrooms and to diversify their staffs. This year, convention planners listened to the suggestion of previous recruiters and convention attendees and extended the hours for each day. See pages 8 and 9 for booth and recruiter registration forms.

ONE-ON-ONE CRITIQUES

Thursday-Friday, Aug. 2-3, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

During private sesssions, students and professionals have a rare opportunity to meet and discuss their work with experienced journalists. See page 5 for the sign-up form.

CYBER CAFÉ

Thursday-Friday, Aug. 2-3, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

The place for convention participants to check e-mail, do quick searches on the Internet, file stories and read the latest convention news. Sponsored by CBS News, CBS Television Stations and CBS Radio.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1

OPENING RECEPTION

7-9 p.m. Carnival Center for the Performing Arts. Free shuttle buses from Hyatt and return.

The convention formally begins with a special event welcoming convention attendees to Florida. Details. Sponsored by The McClatchy Company and The Miami Herald.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2

BREAKFAST PLENARY: The New World Order of Journalism

Thursday, Aug. 2, 8:30-10 a.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Never before have major newspapers and outlets been so perilously close to being shut down, bought out or simply dissolved. How is downsizing, layoffs, buyouts, consolidation and convergence changing the industry and affecting how journalism is being delivered today? How can journalists prepare and position themselves? Hear different views from top executives in print, broadcast and online journalism.

• Moderator: Catalina Camia, politics editor, USA TODAY, and former president of UNITY and AAJA.
• Panelists: Howard Weaver, Vice President, News, The McClatchy Company; Kate O'Brian, Vice President, ABC News; Ken Paulson, editor, USA TODAY; Christine Montgomery, managing editor of tampabay.com, Web site for the St. Petersburg Times.

Sponsored by Freddie Mac.

Left to right: Ken Paulsen, Christine Montgomery, Catalina Camia

PHOTO SHOOTOUT: MIAMI HEAT

The theme of this year's photo competition is about capturing life in Miami. The name of the first-place winner will be inscribed on the national Dith Pran Trophy, named in honor of the legendary New York Times photographer.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Thursday, Aug. 2, noon-1:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

AAJA members are encouraged to attend this annual meeting to meet your officers, hear updates, and share ideas. The AAJA National Membership & Chapter Development Committee will solicit your ideas for key topics of discussion.

BROADCAST CAUCUS

Thursday, Aug. 2, 5-6 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Looking for that next job? Want to master the craft? Whether you work in front of the microphone or behind it (or simply aspire to), come mix and mingle with fellow TV and radio colleagues. Learn about the new plans and programs AAJA has in store for broadcasters. And bring ideas for ways the organization can better serve you.

• Coordinator & Moderator: Jam Sardar, AAJA National Vice President for Broadcast.

MID-CAREER NETWORKING RECEPTION

Thursday, Aug. 2, 6-7 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Convention registrants with at least seven years' experience are eligible to attend a networking reception with industry professionals on Thursday August 2. For those who will be registering for the convention, be sure to mark your experience level in the About You section of the convention registration form. Co-sponsored by the Knight-Wallace Fellows at Michigan, the John S. Knight Fellowships at Stanford and the Nieman Fellowships at Harvard.

Special Film Screening: 'FINISHING THE GAME"

Thursday, Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., AMC CocoWalk

Acclaimed film director Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow," "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift") will be screening his latest movie, "Finishing the Game" for this year's AAJA attendees. A limited number of conventiongoers will be able to see the movie before it's in wide release. This mockumentary set in the 1970s is in the vein of "Spinal Tap." Follow the odyssey of five actors who vie to be the next Bruce Lee. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with the director and some of the film's stars. Limited admission tickets and complimentary shuttle to the theater available on site.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

Does your career need a boost? Do you wish you had time to immerse yourself in a topic without deadline pressure? A mid-career fellowship might be exactly what you need! Journalists describe their fellowship year at the universities of Michigan, Stanford and Harvard. They will talk about their experiences and how it recharged their batteries and propelled their careers forward.

• Coordinator & Moderator: Birgit Rieck, program manager, Knight-Wallace Fellows at Michigan
• Presenters: Christine Tanaka, news director, WRBL-TV in Columbus, Ga.; Jessie Mangaliman, immigration writer, San Jose Mercury News; Edwin Chen, correspondent, Bloomberg News.

Sponsored by the Knight-Wallace Fellows at Michigan, the John S. Knight Fellowships at Stanford and the Nieman Fellowships at Harvard.

BREAKFAST PLENARY: When Is Race Part of the Story?

Friday, August 3, 8:30-10 a.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Racial identity continues to be the story. Don Imus, Barack Obama, the Virginia Tech gunman, allegations against the Duke University lacrosse team -- all are racially charged stories. But has the coverage been fair? How does it affect journalists of color? A distinguished panel will discuss this highly emotional issue.

• Moderator: Lloyd LaCuesta, KTVU TV/Cox Communications broadcast journalist, journalism lecturer at San Jose State University, former AAJA National President and national board member of UNITY: Journalists of Color.
• Panelists: Gilbert Bailón, president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and publisher and editor of Al Día; Anders Gyllenhaal, executive editor of The Miami Herald; Kyung Lah, CNN correspondent; Keith Woods, dean of the faculty at The Poynter Institute.

Sponsored by Bloomberg.

Left to right: Anders Gyllenhaal, Keith Woods, Lloyd LaCuesta

NATIONAL JOURNALISM AWARDS LUNCHEON

Friday, Aug. 3, noon-2 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

AAJA is proud to present this year's guest speaker: PAUL STEIGER. Steiger recently retired as managing editor at The Wall Street Journal, and is currently their editor-at-large. Steiger is also vice president of Dow Jones & Company. He will address the future of journalism from his perspective at the helm --for many years -- of one of the leading and most widely circulated national newspapers in the country. Journalism awards will also be announced.

• Co-emcees: Victoria Lim, reporter, Newschannel 8 and columnist, Tampa Tribune. Lim is also a frequent guest instructor at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, FL and an adjunct professor at the University of Tampa; David Ono, anchor, ABC7 "Eyewitness News." Through the years, Ono hosted the popular magazine show "Eye on LA." and co-anchored "Eyewitness News This Morning". Ono is the recipient of eight Emmy awards and 19 nominations.

Sponsored by The McClatchy Company.

Left to right: Paul Steiger, Victoria Lim, David Ono

BROADCAST MENTOR PROGRAM SESSION AND RECEPTION

Friday, Aug. 3, 4-5:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Need help navigating the strange world of broadcast news? Want to learn about potential pitfalls before they happen? Been in the business a while and would love to give back? Come participate in this interactive discussion about the benefits of mentorship and AAJA's Broadcast Mentor Program. Discussion followed by cocktail reception.

• Coordinator: George Kiriyama, reporter, NBC11 News/KNTV-TV.
• Hosts: Hoda Kotb, correspondent, "Dateline NBC," NBC News; Sree Sreenivasan, technology reporter, WNBC.

Sponsored by NBC.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

PRESIDENT'S APPRECIATION BREAKFAST

Saturday, Aug. 4, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. by invitation only.

The AAJA National President hosts a breakfast to recognize national board members, chapter presidents, chapter treasurers, convention volunteers and the Florida host chapter. Sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.

MEDIA ACCESS WORKSHOP

Saturday, Aug. 4, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Journalists and media professionals show local non-profit organization reps tips on how to get their news in the news, including how to pitch a story, write a news release and do a television interview. Sponsored by The New York Times Company Foundation. Additional support provided by contributions to AAJA's 25th Anniversary Endowment.

TOWN HALL MEETING:
The Impact of the Emerging Immigrant Vote on the 2008 Election

Saturday, Aug. 4, noon-2 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Immigrant groups announced a massive naturalization and voter mobilization campaign targeting the 2008 elections. Will the immigrant vote make a difference? How cohesive is that vote? In Florida and nationally, Latinos are solidifying their political clout. With smaller numbers, what can Asian, Caribbean and other immigrant groups do to get their votes to count? Will the result be an intensifying of old-fashioned identity politics or are there any effective efforts to build alliances?

• Moderators: Karen Narasaki, president of the Asian American Justice Center; Ruth Morris, immigration reporter, South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
• Presenters: Christine Chen, executive director, APIA Vote; Arturo Vargas, executive director, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials; Marleine Bastien, executive director, FANM Ayisyen Nan Miyami (Haitian Women of Miami); Marlon Hill, past president, Caribbean Bar Association; Jorge Marsuli, executive director of Mi Familia Vota/Democracia USA and vice president of People for the American Way; Cao Anh Quan, Managing Partner, SpectrumKnowledge East Coast, and national co-chair of Vietnamese for Hillary.

Karen Narasaki

SILENT AUCTION & RECEPTION

5:45-6:45 p.m. (reception), 5:45-10 p.m. (auction), Hyatt Regency Miami

Hundreds of items will be up for bid. Proceeds help fund AAJA scholarships, internships and other national programs. Silent Auction co-sponsored by MGM Mirage.

GALA SCHOLARSHIP & AWARDS BANQUET

7-9:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

This evening features the recognition of AAJA scholarship and internship recipients and the presentation of the 2007 Special Awards. This year, AAJA has invited one of its very own, New York Daily News Executive Editor David Ng to speak about his continued passion for excellence in journalism despite drastic changes in the newsroom.

In August 2006,Ng was named the executive editor for The New York Daily News, one of the top 10 newspapers in the country. Just prior to rejoining the News, David was the assistant managing editor at The Star-Ledger in Newark, N.J, where he oversaw Page One and was responsible for the paper meeting its press deadlines. He had worked for the Daily News from 1993-2000 as a deputy news editor, metropolitan editor and deputy managing editor. Before that he spent 13 years at the New York Post from 1980-1993 where he started as a reporter and eventually rose up the ranks to become associate managing editor. David has won several awards for his work in journalism and diversity, including AAJA's ELP Outstanding Leadership Award. In addition, David is currently a Pulitzer juror.

• Co-emcees: Amara Sohn, general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor at the NBC/WTVJ (Miami). During her time at WTVJ, Sohn has reported on major local and national stories and contributed reports to MSNBC and the "Today" show; Richard Lui, anchor, CNN Headline News. Lui also anchors "Now in the News," a fast-paced hourly Web- and wireless-exclusive news update.

Co-sponsored by CNN and General Motors.

KARAOKE NIGHT

10 p.m.-2 a.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

Bring out the singer in you. Plus: special performance by former television news reporter and anchor and now comedienne Tina Kim. Sponsored by Bud Light.