2025 Convention & Trade Show

LATE registration is STILL OPEN for the 158th Annual MNA Convention & Trade Show!

One of the top state news media association conventions in the United States, the 2025 MNA Convention & Trade Show is happening Jan. 29-31 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Center. 

 

2025 MNA Convention Sessions & Schedules

 

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025

Minnesota News Media Institute board meeting, Lake Superior Room

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

MNA Advertising/Digital Committee, Lake Erie Room

MNA Journalism Education Committee, Lake Ontario Room

Convention registration desk open.

MNA Member Services Committee, Lake Ontario Room

MNA Legislative Committee, Arbor Lakes Room

5 p.m.: MNA Welcome Reception (ticketed), hors d’oeuvres & cash bar, in the Fireside Lobby and Northland Foyer.

 

Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025

Convention mainline events: 

All Day:

MNI Silent Auction bidding to support MNA member training and internships, Northland Foyer.

Trade Show exhibitors, Northland Foyer.

8 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: Trade Show Breakfast, Northland Foyer.

9:30-11:30 a.m. Concurrent sessions

  • Train-the-Trainer sales session with Phil Frebault of Forum Communications, Steve Jameson of CNHI and Patty Steele of Press Publications.
  • Ethics Shmethics: Essential Ethics for Newsrooms with Professor Scott Winter of Bethel University.
  • Hot Topics Roundtable hosted by Crystal Miller, publisher of the Albert Lea Tribune and Austin Daily Herald; and Bill Gaier, publisher of Finance & Commerce.
  • Fundamentals of Fundraising for Small News Operations with Melissa Wind of the Star Tribune.

Noon-1:30 p.m.: Opening luncheon (ticketed), Northland Ballroom. Includes:

  • Keynote speaker: Dr. Craig Packer of the University of Minnesota Lion Center.
  • Half-Century Club inductions: Steve Ammerman, Willmar; Tracey Williams-Dillard of the Spokesman-Recorder; Louis Hoglund, Pelican Rapids; Tom West, Hutchinson; Glen Asleson, Kasota; Dale Kovar, Mayer; Jeanne Schram, Aitkin. 

2-3:30 p.m. Concurrent sessions

  • Advertising Ideas on Tap with MNA’s Tina McMillan and Tara Brandl, Tracy Area Headlight Herald.
  • Finding Big-Time Experts to Boost Your News Sourcing with Andria Waclawski of the U of M.
  • Making the Most of Your Social Media Time with Lori Weber Menke and Shane Mercer of Forum Communications
  • Ideathon with the University of Minnesota and Hacks/Hackers. Join the discussion and help inform the development practical AI tools for newspaper operations. (1:30 to 5 p.m.) 

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Better Newspaper Contest & Student VIP reception, Northland Foyer. (cash bar)

7 p.m.: Better Newspaper Contest Awards Banquet & Gala (ticketed), Northland Ballroom.

Until midnight: BNC Afterparty. Celebrate together! (cash bar)

 

Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

Convention mainline events: 

All Day: Trade Show exhibitors

7:30-9 a.m.: Trade Show Breakfast

8-9 a.m.: Trade Talk

7:30-noon: MNI Silent Auction bidding to support MNA training and internships

9:30-11:30 a.m. Concurrent sessions

  • Advertising Sales Skills and Strategies with Bill Albrecht and Ross Ulrich of APG.
  • Fleas, Smoke & Blue-Green Algae: Balanced Approaches to Environmental Reporting with veteran Minnesota editor Doug Hanneman.
  • Doing it All: Managing a One-Person Shop with Tara Brandl, publisher of the Tracy Area Headlight Herald.
  • Trust in News: A panel discussion focused on the audience’s confidence in modern journalism. Led by Lynn Walsh of Trusting News and Alex Mahadevan of Poynter.

Noon-1:30 p.m: Friday Luncheon (ticketed), Northland Ballroom. Elisia Cohen, Director of the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota.

2-3:30 p.m. Concurrent sessions

  • Events to Engage Audiences & Grow Revenue with Bill Gaier and Jill Wicht of Finance & Commerce.
  • Fresh Thinking for Your Photos with Casey Ek of the Mankato Free Press.
  • Legal Update with MNA Attorney Mark Anfinson

3:30 p.m.: MNA Annual Meeting, Hennepin Salon 3.

5:30 p.m.: Past President’s Dinner (ticketed, invitation-only)

 

Our Sponsors

These organizations have committed to MNA’s mission (and your newspaper’s) by becoming sponsors of the 2024 MNA Convention & Trade Show. Sponsorships support MNA’s ability to stage one of the largest state news media conventions in the nation; please make sure to let them know you appreciate their support. Here’s the lineup – click for more information:

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors

MNI Gold Sponsors

Bar Sponsor

Coffee Sponsors

Student Reception Sponsors

WiFi Sponsor