NINA Fall Conference Announced

The Northern Illinois Newpaper Association's upcoming Fall Conference and Awards Banquet features a change in date and format from previous years.

Rather than an all-day Friday event, this year’s event will be a dinner Wednesday, Oct. 21, featuring a keynote speaker, followed by the annual awards presentation.

Given the economic condition of most newsrooms, the NINA board decided that an all-day event was not practical for most member newspapers this year.

"As newspaper editors, NINA board members are as aware as anyone of the struggles our industry is facing. Staffing, time and money are all in short supply these days,” said Pete Nenni, NINA president. “The change in the day and format for our annual Fall Conference is in recognition of those constraints. We hope it provides the flexibility needed to allow many people to attend this worthwhile event.”

The evening’s keynote speaker had not been finalized at press time, but will be announced soon on NINA’s Web site and Digital Ink blog (www.ninaonline.org).

The entire event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Ellington’s dining room in the Holmes Student Center at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

The contest saw a slight increase in entries overall this year, despite the economic hardships in the business. In a cost-saving measure, winners will be given certificates rather than plaques, said Dirk Johnson, NINA executive secretary.

“The real value of a NINA award is an enhanced resume, not the hardware,” Johnson said.

That also allows NINA to reduce its Fall Conference registration cost from previous years. This year, it’s $45 for the first attendee from a member newspaper and $20 for each additional attendee. Individual members can attend for $20.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Printable Registration form

Fall newsletter