2025 Convention & Trade Show

Registration is NOW 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. The schedule is still developing; check back regularly and watch your MNA Bulletin for updates.

 

MNA Convention and Better Newspaper Contest Awards Banquet registration is available now by CLICKING HERE.

Hotel reservations are available in the MNA room block until Jan. 13 by CLICKING HERE. 

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.
  • 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
  • Hackathon with the University of Minnesota and Hacks/Hackers. Join the discussion and help inform practical AI tools for newspaper operations.

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

The following 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 so far – click for more information:

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors

MNI Gold Sponsors

Bar Sponsor

Coffee Sponsors

Student Reception Sponsors

WiFi Sponsor