This is a guest post written by Jim Brady, VP of Journalism, at ONA24 presenting sponsor Knight Foundation.
I attended my first ONA conference in 2005 and haven’t missed one since. It’s hard to imagine missing one in the future. I’m proud to have served on the ONA board for a decade and as its president for two years. I’m also proud that, this year, as in past years, Knight Foundation will be a presenting sponsor. The annual conference provides a unique opportunity for digital innovators and newsroom leaders to learn from each other and advance the field and, for some of us digital graybeards, ONA also serves as a high-school reunion of sorts. And, this year, we are bringing you programming I am excited about.
The Lounge
We invite you to join us in the Knight Lounge in Hanover C on the LL2, which is the same level as registration. Open Thursday, Sept. 19 at 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Fri., Sept. 20, you’ll find cell phone chargers as well as healthy snacks to grab and go. You may have heard us talk about the value of sustainable journalism, and this year we have dedicated this lounge to sustaining you. So stay and relax for a while if you can.
We have a number of guests who will present in the lounge and we hope you will swing by to see them. Some highlights include lunch on Thursday with the research team at Pew Research Center who will present their most recent findings about Americans’ attitudes and behaviors around news consumption, a session presented by Perspectives offering an opportunity to explore how Atlanta’s Black culture is grappling with the rise of generative AI, and more than have a dozen sessions planned by the Knight Election Hub; including Investigative Improv and Elections Lightning Talks.
You can find a full and up-to-date schedule of programming here.
Breakout Sessions
Beyond that we are focused on two important topics: 1) the growing influence of social media content creators; and 2) the new and ever-changing funding models that are revitalizing local news.
- Thurday, Sept. 19 at noon: “Redefining News In The Age Of Social Media”
Meet former Fox, CBS and Bloomberg news producer-turned-social media creator Mo Oinounou and learn about the most recent Pew-Knight Initiative data on what social media channels Americans turn to for news. - Friday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m.: “Local News Renaissance”
Press Forward’s Dale Anglin will join DuBose Porter of the Georgia Trust for Local News and Jess King at the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement for an in-depth discussion on new philanthropic models that are retooling local news.
Macon: A Knight City Experience
This year, hosting the event in Atlanta offers ONA attendees an additional treat. Just 90 minutes away lies Macon, “one of the South’s best-kept secrets,” according to Forbes. As one of 26 Knight cities, Macon has much to offer. Knight is bringing a taste of Macon’s unique culture to ONA with the Macon Music Revue band. Their performance will include locally developed hits from Macon legends like Little Richard, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band, delving deep into the catalog of Capricorn Records, which has been producing music since the 1960s.
I’ve visited Macon five times over the last three years and I can tell you first-hand that it’s a special place. Visit Macon and Macon-Bibb Co. Mayor Lester Miller invites you to join a special tour on Sat., Sept. 21, to experience a former ghost town that now boasts craft brewpubs, a thriving culinary and live music scene. Plus, visit the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, representing more than 12,000 years of continuous human habitation. We’re proud to showcase how collaboration, planning and strategic philanthropic investment have revitalized Macon. Click here to register if you are interested in experiencing one of 2024’s Great American Main Street award-winning downtowns. Space is limited.
I am looking forward to seeing you at ONA24.
