See you at the MNA Convention!
Convention week has finally arrived! We can’t wait to see you there! There are a few important notes below as well as some schedule changes and updates. Please let us know if you have any questions! See you soon.
Please note: MNA staff will be attending the convention. If you need to reach someone, staff will be available by email. Thanks!
We have nearly 650 people pre-registered! Check in at the convention registration desk early to avoid lines.
Convention by the Numbers
- 3 – program changes, see below!
- 149th Annual MNA Convention
- 644 attendees pre-registered for the Convention
- 29 speakers excited to present sessions
- 107 “First Timers” registered (give those with a purple ribbon a warm welcome!)
- 25th Year at the DoubleTree by Hilton (formerly the Sheraton AND the Radisson)
- 4,359 entries submitted in the 2014-2015 Better Newspaper Contests
- 21 Trade Show Vendors to visit at Convention
- 16 different name badge ribbons (how many do you have?)
- 1,050 – approximate number of meals served during Convention
- 70 MNA Members who serve on various committees
- 9 MNA Staff members who make all of the convention magic happen
Convention Location
All convention sessions, luncheons and the Better Newspaper Contest Banquet will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Minneapolis South. The address and phone number are below.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Minneapolis South
7800 Normandale Boulevard
Bloomington, MN 55439
Phone: 952-835-7800
Registration Desk Hours
Visit the registration desk, in the Grand Ballroom Foyer, Floor 2, to register on site or to check in, and receive your name badge, meal tickets (if you purchased them) and welcome bag.
Wednesday, January 27: 2:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 28: 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Friday, January 29: 8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Arriving Wednesday evening? Stop by the Welcome Reception!
Join us Wednesday evening, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom East for a Convention Welcome Reception! Join fellow convention attendees for a special wine and beer tasting experience with local vendors. Take time to view the winning entries in the Better Newspaper Contest, visit the MNA Convention photo booth with friends and colleagues, chat with trade show vendors and reconnect with MNA friends. A cash bar will be available.
Governor Dayton Joins us Friday
Governor Mark Dayton will join MNA Convention attendees for lunch on Friday, and will give some opening remarks to kick off our luncheon with Vice President Walter Mondale. A very limited number of tickets may still be available.
Member Classifieds at MNA Convention
Are you looking for a new reporter? Do you have openings in your ad department? Do you have gently used equipment for sale? Would you like to fill a summer internship with a College Better Newspaper Contest winner? We’ll have a bulletin board available at convention, near the Member Services Desk, for you to post notices, queries and other items.
Questions? Email member@mna.org.
Convention Schedule Changes!
There have been a few changes to the convention schedule this week.
Please note room changes for Thursday, Jan. 28:
The following sessions will be held in Veranda 1-4:
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Independent Contractor Legal Issues
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. USPS Changes/Mailing Scoop
2:15 – 3:45 p.m. Carrier Recruitment and Retention
These sessions were originally scheduled in Atrium 7.
Please note the speaker change for “Independent Contractor Legal Issues,” Thursday 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Speaker Update! Glenn Plosa will be stepping in to lead this session for Michael Zinser who had to attend an urgent meeting. Glenn E. Plosa is a Senior Attorney at The Zinser Law Firm, a Nashville, Tennessee law firm with a national practice that represents management exclusively in labor and employment matters, with a focus on media outlets, especially newspapers.
Glenn has appeared before the NLRB, state and federal courts, and agencies in more than 20 states, including Minnesota. Glenn has also argued cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third, Fourth, Seventh, Ninth, and District of Columbia Circuits.
Please note that session “What do employees want from us?” will be held on Thursday, Jan. 28
This exciting session with Becky Lyons has been moved to Thursday, 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. in Atrium 6. This session was originally scheduled for Friday morning.
Employees today are mobile, have access to lots of information about employers, and aren’t afraid to seek out new opportunities. What can we do to keep the talent that we have and draw in new talent? Be engaging managers! It’s not enough to lay out expectations and expect employees to meet them. Today we need to engage employees in a culture that they want to be part of.
Click here to download the latest version of the convention schedule (PDF)
Click here to view session information speaker bios and room/session time information on our website
Meetings at the MNA Convention
Are you on an MNA Committee, or would you like to join an MNA Committee? Several meetings will be held at the MNA Convention. Join us. Please see below for a full schedule including date, time and meeting room (in parentheses).
Wednesday, January 27
10:00 a.m. MN News Media Institute Board (Vista 2202)
11:00 a.m. MNA Board (Vista 2202)
1:30 p.m. Advertising Committee (Bloomington)
Journalism Education Committee (Edina)
2:30 p.m. Member Services Committee (Edina)
Digital Media Committee (Bloomington)
3:30 P.M. Legislative Committee (Edina)
Friday, January 29
3:30 P.M. MNA Annual Meeting (Veranda 1-2)