An upcoming HSPA and HSPA Foundation event will focus on where newspapers stand in today’s media climate and where they’re going.
Speakers at the Annual Meetings and Government Conference on will address topics concentrating on the event’s theme – The State We’re In: Different Times. Same Mission.
The annual gathering of Indiana newspaper publishers and other top executives will be Feb. 2 and 3 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.
Discussion and camaraderie will be the order of the two-day event.
Speakers will touch on ways to revamp the newspaper business model, what to expect in the upcoming session of the Indiana General Assembly and how to cover news via video.
An evening reception and a luncheon, when lawmakers are invited, offer opportunities to catch up with counterparts throughout the state.
“We’re in a new time in the history of the newspaper industry, but the mission is the same: Ask tough questions, be a watchdog, inform readers,” said Stephen Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel. “The annual meetings offer opportunities to share ideas and be encouraged by what’s working for others around the state.”
Anthony M. Casale, chairman and chief executive officer of American Opinion Research, will propose specific strategies for revitalizing the newspaper industry based on thousands of consumer interviews.
Casale also will speak on ways to build readership and reader loyalty in a second session.
Michael G. Kane, president and publisher of The Indianapolis Star, will remind his peers why the newspaper industry’s future isn’t all doom and gloom, as some media outlets are reporting.
Three experienced Indiana newspaper executives, E. Mayer Maloney Jr. of Hoosier Times Inc., Neal Ronquist of Paxton Media Group and John Rumbach of The Herald (Jasper), will give their opinions on generating revenue with news websites during a panel discussion.
A session by John Strauss, a journalism technology guru who teaches at Ball State University, will offer ideas for adding video and photo packages to newspaper websites.
Key will give an update on issues affecting newspapers that could come up in the General Assembly next year.
The HSPA and HSPA Foundation boards of directors will meet separately Feb. 2 to work on their agendas for the coming year.
HSPA will announce the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award at the Governor’s Reception on Feb. 2.
The annual Copper Club Breakfast on Feb. 3 gathers the past presidents of the HSPA and HSPA Foundation boards of directors.
Publishers are encouraged to invite their legislators to lunch Feb. 3. HSPA will mail newspapers invitations to send lawmakers after registrations are received.
The Frank O’Bannon Sunshine Award will be presented during the luncheon.
Early-bird registration at a reduced rate ends Jan. 6. Regular registration will continue through Jan. 26.
Attendees can register at hspafoundation.org or by faxing in a registration form that publishers received by mail.
HSPA will again make hotel reservations for attendees. To reserve a room, e-mail sgoldsby@hspa.com by Jan. 6. After that, space and the group rate may not be available.
