Registration is NOW OPEN for the 157th Annual MNA Convention & Trade Show!
One of the top state news media association conventions in the United States, the 2024 MNA Convention & Trade Show is happening Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Center.
MNA Convention and Better Newspaper Contest Awards Banquet registration is available now by CLICKING HERE.
Hotel reservations in the MNA room block are still available by CLICKING HERE.
2024 MNA Convention Sessions & Schedules
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024:
10 a.m.: Minnesota News Media Institute board meeting, Lake Superior Room
11 a.m. Minnesota Newspaper Association board meeting, Lake Superior Room
Noon: MNA/MNI board lunch, Lake Superior Room (lower level)
Noon-4 p.m.: Trade Show exhibitor move-in, Northland Foyer
1:30 p.m.: MNA Advertising/Digital Committee, Lake Erie Room
2-7 p.m.: Convention registration desk open.
2:30 p.m.: MNA Member Services Committee, Lake Ontario Room
3:30 p.m.: MNA Legislative Committee, Arbor Lakes Room.
5 p.m.: MNA Welcome Reception (ticketed), hors d’oeuvres & cash bar with special guest T.C. Bear, Fireside Lobby and Northland Foyer.
Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024
Convention mainline events
All Day:
MNI Silent Auction bidding to support MNA training and internships, Northland Foyer.
Trade Show exhibitors, Northland Foyer.
8 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: Trade Show Breakfast, Northland Foyer.
Noon-1:30 p.m.: Opening luncheon (ticketed), Northland Ballroom. Includes:
- Keynote speakers Patty Wetterling and Joy Baker, authors of “Dear Jacob: A Mother’s Journey of Hope.”
- Tech Talk: Hear from our trade show exhibitors about their services, goods and initiatives, Northland Ballroom.
- Half-Century Club inductions
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Better Newspaper Contest & Student VIP reception, Northland Foyer. (cash bar)
7 p.m.: Better Newspaper Contest Awards Gala (ticketed), Northland Ballroom.
Until midnight: BNC Afterparty. Celebrate together! (cash bar)
Thursday Morning Breakout Sessions
9:30-10:15 a.m.: The Future of Obits, with Ron Speechley, Vice President of Sales, Legacy.com, Minnesota Salon 2. What’s next in terms of readership and revenue?
10:15-11:30 a.m.: Election ’24: What’s New About Who Can Vote, How They’ll Vote and Election Security, with Peter Bartz-Gallagher and Cassondra Knudson of the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, Hennepin Salon 3. Developments in Minnesota election rules, reporting procedures and trends before the 2024 general election.
10:15-11:30 a.m.: Postal & Circulation Roundtable, led by MNA Past President Matt McMillan. Minnesota Salon 2. Come talk about your challenges and solutions to this perennial topic.
9:30-11:30:
Success from Day One with Richard E. Brown, Senior Director of Retention, The Daily Beast and Wisconsin Newspaper Association board of directors. Arbor Lakes Room. Learn how to onboard sales executives for impact and uncover the blueprint for transforming your sales team into a powerhouse that drives revenue and reader engagement.
What’s Old is New (Again) with Editor & Publisher’s Mike Blinder. Minnesota Salon 1. What local advertising trends say about the need to get back to selling basic reach, frequency and packages.
Hot Topics with MNA First VP Crystal Miller and MNA Past President Justin Lessman. Hennepin Salon 1. Come to share your own best practices and pick up some new tricks from your MNA peers. The audience will determine where this leads, but topics may include recruitment, compensation, employee retention, political advertising – you name it, literally!
AI in the News Operation, panel discussion moderated by MNA Past President Julie Bergman. Hennepin Salon 3. With Forum Communications VP of Content Mary Jo Holtzer, Herald Journal Group Editor Andrew Meuleners and others, moderated by MNA Past President Julie Bergman.
Thursday Afternoon Breakout Sessions
2-3:30 p.m.:
Advertising Ideas on Tap, with Tracy Area Headlight Herald Publisher Tara Brandl and MNA Advertising Executive Tina McMillan, Arbor Lakes Room. Have some fun, win some prizes and take home new revenue ideas (and tips to make money selling MNA ad networks, too!).
The Power of Newspapers, with Mankato Free Press Editor Joe Spear, Minnesota Salon 1. See how much change your newspaper can make for your community, and how. Success stories for making it all matter.
Hot Legal Topics with Mark Anfinson, Hennepin Salon 1. This year brings some special legal developments in Minnesota that call for a deep dive. If you love the annual legal update (Friday afternoon) don’t miss this addition that will delve into how legal cannabis and the rise of artificial intelligence might affect your news and advertising operation.
Prep Sports Reporter to Build Readership, with Tom Elliott, Hennepin Salon 3. He’s the best in the prep sports business, with more than three decades on the job making kids stars for their effort on the field and actions off it. Take home his best practices to build this highly engaged audience.
Reader Retention Roundtable with Sarah Stultz, editor of the Albert Lea Tribune. Minnesota Salon 2. Come to discuss her tips and share what’s worked for you, in print and online, and in nontraditional arenas like events, newsletters and more.
3:45 p.m.: Student Session, Minnesota Salon 1. Come with your questions about life in the news business after graduation.
Friday, Feb. 2, 2024
Convention mainline events
7:30 a.m.-9 a.m.: Trade Show Breakfast, Northland Foyer.
7:30-noon: MNI Silent Auction bidding to support MNA training and internships, Northland Foyer.
All Day: Trade Show exhibitors, Northland Foyer.
Noon-1:30 p.m: Friday Luncheon (ticketed), Northland Ballroom. Includes:
- Keynote speaker Steve Grove, publisher of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and alum of Google, the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development and the Northfield News.
- MNA Distinguished Service to Journalism award ceremony.
3:30 p.m.: MNA Annual Meeting, Hennepin Salon 3.
5:30 p.m.: Past President’s Dinner (ticketed, invitation-only), Fireside Room.
Friday Morning Breakout Sessions
9:30-11:30 a.m.:
Putting Customers First, with Richard E. Brown, Senior Director of Retention, The Daily Beast and Wisconsin Newspaper Association board of directors. Arbor Lakes Room. Learn to employ customer-centric strategies to increase revenue and build your business.
Stop Overthinking & Just Do It! with Editor & Publisher’s Mike Blinder. Hennepin Salon 1. There is no better time to be crafting news for the communities we serve, and our industry is finding sustainable business models. Just do it!
Sit Down to a Happy Desk, with Michele Vig of Neat Little Nest, Minnesota Salon 2. By popular demand, this session on getting organized focuses on keeping your office space – and your mind – clutter free for better results in your business and your life.
Coping With Stress, Burnout and Trauma on the Beat, with John Barth of Columbia University’s Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. Minnesota Salon 1. Learn the basics of self-care and collegial support (e.g. the impact of covering trauma and tragedy on journalists) and get concrete guidance and techniques for enriching one’s coping skills and wellness, and building resilient news teams.
Essentials for a Successful Magazine with Jonathan Sweet. Hennepin Salon 3. Learn how branding, serving a niche audience, giving your publication a personality and promoting it well can set up your magazines for success with readers and for revenue.
Friday Afternoon Breakout Sessions
2-3:30 p.m.:
Discover Generative AI’s Sales Potential, with Richard E. Brown, Senior Director of Retention, The Daily Beast and Wisconsin Newspaper Association board of directors. Arbor Lakes Room. Uncover how artificial intelligence can amplify growth opportunities and unlock fresh revenue prospects.
Legal Update 2024 with Mark Anfinson, Hennepin Salon 1. Expert information about legal and legislative issues of interest to Minnesota journalists and publishers.
Trauma-Informed Reporting: First Do No Harm with John Barth of Columbia University’s Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. Minnesota Salon 1. We all cover traumatic events, whether we’re assigned to a riot or to the aftermath of the sudden death of a high school student. Learn the best practices of trauma-informed reporting including effective reporting approaches to sensitive topics; ethical considerations when reporting on violence, trauma and tragedy; interviewing techniques when working with victims, survivors and vulnerable people; and balancing compassion with the rigors of journalism.