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PROGRAM PREVIEW
The 2025 New England Newspaper Convention is just weeks away! Join us March 28-29 in Portland, Maine, for two days of expert-led sessions, networking, and celebrations of the best journalism in New England. We are excited to offer a preview of our program lineup! The full program will be released next week—stay tuned for details on additional sessions, session times, speakers, and special events!
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Friday, March 29
NENPA Emergency Town Hall: The Fight for the First Amendment
Don’t miss this. In a lively Town Hall-style session, journalists across New England will share what their organization is doing—and what yours can do, and what we can all do together—to reinforce the vitality of a free press against those who call us the “enemy of the people.” Come prepared to join the discussion.
Increasing your Digital Sales & Closing Ratios
In this dynamic session, Shannon Kinney, Dream Local Digital Founder and CEO, will cover how digital products work together to help your clients – and give you the tools to increase your closing ratios in today’s market. We’ll look at the four most important questions you can ask a prospect and how to become their trusted advisor. You’ll leave with increased confidence and a checklist for a perfect proposal to increase your closing ratios, and you’ll learn what 92% of sellers don’t know about persistence. What you’ll learn in this session will help you sell more of all of your offerings, not just digital!
Philanthropy as the Third Leg of the Stool
In today’s challenging media landscape, publishers must explore diverse revenue strategies to sustain their operations. This session will explore how philanthropy can serve as a powerful third pillar alongside advertising and subscriptions. Learn how news organizations are successfully tapping into grants, donor support, and community partnerships to fund impactful journalism. Gain insights into best practices for building relationships with philanthropic organizations and developing sustainable fundraising strategies. The panel includes Dan Cotter, Publisher and Editorial Director, Vermont Standard, Terry Williams, Advisor to the Keene Sentinel, and other presenters.
Using AI in Sales and Marketing
Kevin Berrier, Marketing Director of MDDC Ad Services shares tips, tricks, trends, and insights on the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how advertising salespeople can use it to be more efficient and effective in their everyday professional lives by sharing his experience on landing a top-10 client using AI. You will learn: what AI is as it stands right now, the strengths behind each reliable AI platform, and the strengths and weaknesses of AI as a whole.
30 Tips for Interviewing Techniques
Join Mike Donoghue of Vermont News First, for an enlightening session that explores the cornerstone of journalism: interviewing techniques and cultivating reliable sources. Whether you’re a seasoned reporter or a budding journalist, mastering the art of interviewing is essential for uncovering stories, gaining insights, and delivering accurate and engaging news content. This session will share 30 tips for interviewing even the toughest source.
Media Law Refresher (2025 Update)
A fast-paced primer on how your local newsroom, print or online, can stay enterprising while avoiding legal trouble. We’ll cover the basics as well as the latest developments in the law of libel, copyright and fair use, newsgathering, confidential sources, and more. For rookie reporters and senior scribes alike. Presented by Louise Carron and Rob Bertsche, Klaris Law, in cooperation with the New England First Amendment Coalition.
Unlocking Data for Local Journalism: Tools and Resources from Big Local News
Data can be a powerful tool for local journalists, but finding, organizing, and analyzing it can be challenging. In this session, Cheryl Phillips, founder and co-director of Big Local News, will introduce the platform and its suite of tools designed to help journalists access, manage, and collaborate on data-driven stories. Learn how these resources can enhance your reporting and uncover impactful local stories. Whether you’re new to data journalism or looking to refine your skills, this session will provide practical insights and actionable takeaways.
Hall of Fame Dinner and Cocktail Reception beginning at 6:00 PM
The Hall of Fame honors newspaper industry heroes whose talent, hard work, and exceptional accomplishments inspire all New England journalists. Join us in congratulating, honoring, and celebrating this year’s four new inductees. Purchase tickets for the dinner.
Saturday, March 30
Counternarratives: Repositioning the News to Examine Editorial Veracity and Fairness
Join artist Alexandra Bell for an insightful session on rethinking and revising news coverage to promote fairness and accuracy. Through her powerful visual works that critique media bias, Bell challenges journalists to examine editorial choices, language, and framing. This session will inspire fresh perspectives on how newsrooms can identify and address bias, ensuring their coverage better reflects truth and equity. Bell will also be presenting an interactive workshop where participants will learn to rethink, revise, redact, and modify news pages and how to deconstruct language and imagery to explore the tension between marginal experiences and dominant histories.
AI Tools for Your Newsroom
Struggling to get started using AI tools? Mike Reilley, UIC senior lecturer and founder of JournalistsToolbox.ai, will walk you through free, practical tools that will make you a more efficient reporter and editor. He will cover ways to use them in the hands-on workshop and also drawbacks and ethical concerns with the tools. Bring your laptop to this hands-on session.
Podcasting for Publishers
Podcasts continue to grow in popularity and are a great format to extend your print brand with the right sound. Hear from two podcasting experts on trends in the audio listening space, how to create the right podcast for your business, and what it takes to execute. Monica Brady-Myerov is the publisher of the Vineyard Gazette Media Group and recently launched a new podcast “On the Vineyard” a weekly podcast that brings the beauty, sensibility, and news of Martha’s Vineyard to listeners around the country. She has 25 years of experience and awards as a public radio reporter. Presented with Elaine Appleton Grant, CEO of Podcast Allies.
Yankee Quill Awards Luncheon beginning at 12:00 PM
This celebration honors five extraordinary individuals for their lifetime of achievement and distinction in New England Journalism. The Academy of New England Journalists will present the prestigious Yankee Quill Award to this year’s inductees. Purchase tickets for the luncheon.
Sex, Gender and Local News: Providing Responsible Coverage in Polarizing Times
Debates about gender roles, sexuality, and LGBTQ+ rights are playing out at town halls, school board meetings, and healthcare centers across New England. Local news organizations have a front-row seat and a responsibility to provide accurate, nuanced coverage. In this session, presented by Meg Heckman, Associate Professor of Journalism at Northeastern University, you’ll learn how to navigate these complex issues with compassion. We’ll delve into terminology, unpack misleading tropes, and explore ways to tell stories that go beyond hyper-polarized national narratives.
Fact checking tools and best practices
In this training, Mike Reilley, UIC senior lecturer and founder of JournalistsToolbox.ai, will explore ways to fight back against misinformation and disinformation during post-election coverage. We’ll use tools such as Google Fact-Check Explorer to track fact-checked images and stories. We’ll use reverse image search and other Google tools to check election claims. We’ll break down doctored video and audio with WatchFramebyFrame and Deepfake-o-meter. We’ll also look at the innovative Rolliapp.com to track disinformation spreaders on social channels. Before the training, set up a free Rolliapp.com “press pass” account as it takes a couple of days to get approved. Use the passcode JOURNOAI
Opening Up the Government: A Reporter’s Toolbox
Noted First Amendment attorney Sig Schutz (Preti Flaherty, Portland) will lead a panel of experienced journalists sharing their proven techniques for unveiling government secrets through effective public records requests and appeals. Presented with the New England First Amendment Coalition.
Investigative Reporting
This session dives into the world of investigative journalism. Learn how to develop leads, conduct interviews, utilize public records, and navigate legal issues. A panel of award winning investigative journalists will share their tips and tricks for crafting impactful stories that make a difference. Walk away ready to tackle tough stories in your own community.
What makes a good story: ideas to help the writer
Hear from Judy Meyer, Former Executive Editor, Sun Media Group, Link McKie, Journalism Professor, Northeastern University, and Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, three of the best award-winning journalists in New England on how to make your story — news, sports, or features — a “must-read” from start to finish. Readers don’t want to plow through mountains of ugly copy. Learn how to write crisp, fact-filled pieces that readers won’t put down. Solid interviews, good writing style, massaging the final copy, and making stories sing are key.
Journalism Awards Banquet and Cocktail Reception beginning at 6:00 PM
Our largest celebratory gathering of the year where we reveal the results of the annual New England Better Newspaper Competition! Purchase tickets to the banquet.