Convention Registration Info
***The convention registration deadline is 5pm CT Friday, May 5, 2023.

           


Every year, the NDNA convention includes solid programming, training, motivational speakers, and networking opportunities for newspapers and supporters of the industry. The event is held in cities across North Dakota, and on occasion, the convention is held as a joint effort with SDNA.

The 2023 convention will be held in conjunction with SDNA May 11-13 at the Spirit Lake Casino, just south of Devils Lake, ND.

If you'd like to sign up for the convention, please register online (see link below), print a registration form from the links below to send in, or contact Shari Peterson at sharip@ndna.com or 701-223-6397.

Hope to see you there!
 

Registration


Sessions/Speakers
 

Thursday evening: "Welcome Reception & Grand Hors d'oeuvres"

    

STACY KUSLER   /   KAY MILLER TEMPLE
Kusler: ND Center for Rural Health (CRH)    /    Miller Temple: board certified physician/student writing expert
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
 
Thursday night, Devils Lake Tourism has graciously offered to sponsor transportation by Moonlight Limo and Bussing for attendees from the casino to Black Paws Brewery in Devils Lake for food and tours following at the Lake Region Heritage Center museum across the street.
 
Stacy Kusler from the North Dakota Center for Rural Health (CRH) will be informing attendees on Thursday evening about a new project, TRHE (Targeted Rural Health Education). For the past 6 years, the North Dakota Rural Health Association (part of the UND CRH) has been working with health profession students at UND on this project, which aims to help students learn about a pressing health need in a rural community where they are training/shadowing. Students will write articles on these topics under the guidance of their writing expert, Kay Miller Temple, a board certified physician with a master's in journalism.

 

Friday a.m. general session: "Media Landscape"

    

JIM BROWN
President
Borrell & Associates
Williamsburg, VA

Jim Brown of Borrell & Associates kicks off convention sessions on Friday with his talk on “Media landscape in today's news environment."

 
"Do you find the future scary or exciting?" Brown asks, and will explain the importance of looking back before moving forward, and invites you to notice what’s happening now that might predict the future.
 
Brown will challenge us to take stock: "Are we truly connecting with our communities or simply continuing to publish what we’ve always done, in the way we’ve always done it? If yes, how is that working out for us? How do we expect this behavior to play out, and what can we do with the existing tools and assets to grow our business?"
 
Jim’s session will motivate everyone to consider retiring products and services that will not help you get where you need to be right now.

 

Friday a.m. concurrent session: "Writing Workshop"

 

CHUCK HAGA
former publisher and current journalism instructor
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
 

Friday morning concurrent sessions include time with Chuck Haga, former publisher and current journalism instructor at UND. 
Haga will lead writers in his popular “Writing Workshop." In this workshop, Haga will help members learn how to keep readers engaged and excited to read beyond the headline.

One-on-ones: there will also be a sign-up sheet at the registration desk for one-on-one opportunities with Haga. 

 

Friday a.m. concurrent session: "Mindfulness in your environment"

 

BRYAN PIATT
Host
"Take what serves, leave the rest" Podcast
Minneapolis, MN
 

Presenter Bryan Piatt will hold a session on "Mindfulness in your environment" on Friday morning, and is also our special guest during the luncheon with a chat on "Maneuvering Mental Health in the Media," both of which are sure to inspire attendees to be the best versions of themselves.
 
Piatt is a former news and reporter at KARE 11 in the Twin Cities, currently pursuing a graduate degree in mental health counseling. Bryan is still in front of the microphone as host of the “Take what serves, leave the rest” podcast – which is aimed at creating safe spaces to talk about mental health. Bryan has spoken at several companies and organizations, publicly sharing his journey with anxiety and OCD. Bryan is a meditation guide, certified Yoga Instructor, and breathwork facilitator.
 
Bryan’s session invites us all to treat ourselves gently, no matter what we’re experiencing.
 

 

Friday p.m. general session: "Earn Your Press Pass"

    

LINDSEY & JOEY YOUNG
Co-owners
Kansas Publishing Ventures
Hillsboro, KS

Lindsey and Joey Young, practicing journalists and co-owners of Kansas Publishing Ventures, will present a rookie employee training program called "Earn Your Press Pass." The self-paced, online training course is designed to help prospective and new employees get their feet on the ground. Lindsey has been immersed in community newspapering since she and her husband Joey Young purchased their first community newspaper, The Clarion, in 2014. Lindsey teaches simple interviewing and writing steps to make new reporters more successful. Additionally, the course outlines basics like newspaper jargon, editing and basic photography.

 

Friday p.m. concurrent session:"Hot Seat: Best Ideas Spotlight"

    

COLE SHORT
Editor
Hillsboro Banner
Hillsboro, ND


Hillsboro Banner editor Cole Short doesn't have enough advice to share with an audience for an hour. But he's willing to bet 20 attendees have five minutes of everyday tips and tidbits they're willing to share among their peers.
 
In this fast-paced session, attendees will take turns in the hot seat and have 30 seconds to offer once piece of advice before they're buzzed and booted from the chair. Session will be recorded and shared on social media.
 
Bring your best ideas to the "Hot Seat" with Cole!
 

 

Friday p.m. concurrent session: "Photo Safari"

    

MICHAEL VOSBURG
Photo Editor
Forum Communications
Fargo, ND

Forum Communications's photo editor, Michael Vogsburg, has an exciting“Photo Safari” planned Friday afternoon.

Session goers will enjoy an outdoor photography adventure, and afterwards, share their photos with the classroom and discuss ideas, tips, settings, and more.

Vosburg has extensive years of training and experience under his belt and can help advise on photography questions.

 

Saturday a.m. general session: "Legal Review"

    

JACK MCDONALD  /  DENNIS PATHROFF
McDonald: NDNA Legal Counsel  /  Pathroff: Lobbyist
McDonald: Wheeler Wolf  /  Pathroff: GA Group
Bismarck, ND
 

The always popular, annual legislative summary will be held Saturday morning by our godfather lobbyist and state counsel Jack McDonald, and Dennis Pathroff; lobbyist for NDNA during the 68th Legislative session representing the GA Group out of Bismarck.
 
Be sure to not miss the newest updates after this year's legislative business has been wrapped up.

 

 

Thanks to our generous sponsors to date: