Conference Agenda

March 31 – Reception 6 p.m.

April 1 Registration opens at 8 a.m.

8:45-10 a.m.

University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism professor and broadcaster Nathan Stevens will lead a discussion on video game journalism, how reviewing games works, and the future of Esports.

“Covering trauma and coping with stress” session moderated by James Madison University SPJ President Grant Patrick Johnson.

10:15 – 11:45 a.m.

Jeff South, associate professor emeritus, Robertson School of Media and Culture at Virginia Commonwealth University will moderate a panel on “AI and journalists: How to use artificial intelligence tools in reporting.” Speakers will include Derek Willis, a data expert teaching at the University of Maryland, and Cristiana Bedei, an Italian freelancer who has written for Vice, Refinery 29 and other publications.

Bonnie Newman Davis will lead a panel on “Fighting to be Heard.” Davis is managing editor of the Richmond Free Press and author of "Truth Tellers: The Power and Presence of Black Women Journalists Since 1960." Howard University journalism professor Yanick Rice Lamb will be a panelist.

Noon to 2 p.m.

Mark of Excellence Awards

The keynote speaker at this year’s luncheon will be Joyce Koh, Washington Post enterprise video reporter and on-air correspondent. An alumna of the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, Koh has covered the war in Ukraine, the 2020 presidential campaign, police brutality protests, the Trump administration, and the national opioid crisis.

2:30-3:45 p.m.

Former SPJ National President Rebecca Baker will head a panel on “Mining the trade journalism job market.” Baker is editor at large for Bloomberg Tax Bloomberg/Industry Group in Washington. Panels include Thai Phi Le, senior managing editor, Industry Dive and Teresa Andersen, vice president of content, ASIS International.

Podcasting Panel with Michael Pope, co-host of Pod Virginia, a podcast about Virginia politics https://podvirginia.com/ ;

Financial Times podcast host/producer Marc Filippino https://www.ft.com/ft-news-briefing; Ellen Weiss, part of the team that produced successful indie podcast Blind Landing; and David Schultz, producer and host of podcasts at Bloomberg Law and Bloomberg Government on topics including the Supreme Court, tax policy and the business of law.

Registration is $50 for students and $60 for pros Lunch only is $37.

HOW TO GET HERE (Please note there is extensive construction in the area. Allow extra time.)

The conference will be in Knight Hall, which is located at the corner of Campus Drive and Lot 1 on the University of Maryland College Park campus. The building is a short walk from the Stamp Student Union, the Union Lane Garage and the campus shuttle hub. Here's a link to Google maps. For directions and parking, check out the The Merrill College of Journalism's directions page: http://merrill.umd.edu/About/Directions.

WHERE TO PARK

After 4 p.m. and on weekends, visitors are welcome to park in the adjacent Lot 1 without a permit, following posted restrictions.For more information go to: http://merrill.umd.edu/About/Directions#park

Hotels near the University of Maryland

NOTE: room rates are higher for hotels that are closer.

1. College Park Marriott Hotel

3501 University Blvd East

Hyattsville, MD

301 985-7300

2. The Hotel at The University of Maryland

7777 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD

855 516 1090

3. Cambria Hotel College Park

8321 Baltimore Ave

College Park, MD

301 615-9889

4. Best Western Plus

8419 Baltimore Ave

College Park, MD

301 220-0505

5. Holiday Inn Express and Suites

90220 Baltimore Ave

College Park

301 4341-8110

6. Howard Johnson by Wyndham

9113 Baltimore Ave

College Park

301 476 4603

7. Red Room Inn

9137 Baltimore Ave

College Park

301 345 5000

8. Super 8 by Wyndham

9150 Baltimore Ave

301 683 7556