The Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) are in discussion to combine their yearly conventions into a single annual joint convention in 2011.
Currently the RTNDA holds its convention in conjunction with the massive annual spring NAB Show in Las Vegas while the SPJ holds an annual convention in late summer. This year’s SPJ convention will be Aug. 27–30 in Indianapolis.
RTNDA Chairman Stacey Woelfel stated: “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.”
Woelfel added: “One convention would not only be efficient but also provide a platform for training, networking and collaboration on a greater scale.”
SPJ President Dave Aeikens agreed: “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.”
However, plans have not been finalized. Woelfel said of 2010: “We remain fully committed and engaged in every effort to make RTNDA@NAB 2010 as strong program for our members … We are also looking forward to working with NAB and other journalism organizations on the next generation of a journalism-centered convention beyond 2010.”