Many of ONA’s partners and friends are hosting a variety of events outside of the official ONA schedule this week to welcome the ONA community to Atlanta. While some are invitation-only (check your spam filter!), others are open to all. Space is often limited so if you get an invite to something or see an event that interests you, sign up fast.
Looking for somewhere to gather here on-site? The ONA24 Lounge located in Grand Hall West on LL2 (to the left of registration) will remain open Wednesday – Friday until 10:00 p.m.
This post will continue to populate as we learn about additional events. Please check back here and in the #ONA24 Slack for updates. Know of or hosting an event that should be on here? Please send an email to partnerships@journalists.org with details.
Special thanks to our ONA24 sponsors.
Wednesday
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. — ONA Welcome Reception in the Centennial Foyer/Pool Deck/Regency Ballroom
All ONA24 attendees are invited to join new and old friends for a delightful evening at the ONA24 Welcome Reception immediately following the Opening Keynote and Plenary at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Downtown. Enjoy refreshments, networking and great vibes with our new friends of the NoD Percussion drumline and Macon Music Revue. This event also kicks off the opening of the ONA24 Midway Exhibit Hall! Generously co-hosted by Microsoft, Canva, Google News Initiative and YouTube, and the Knight Foundation.
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. — Happy Hour at Max Lager’s
Join The Associated Press and its AI training series on covering AI across every beat at Max Lager’s for drinks and appetizers. Sponsored by the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. — Vngle Mingle at Hard Rock Cafe
Let’s get connected ONA! Join Vngle Mingle for a conference networking session after the Welcome Reception! RSVP here.
Thursday
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. — ONA Community Breakfasts hosted by Knight Election Hub
Getting together for a meal is a great way to meet new people at journalism conferences. Community meals are a way OpenNews can help bring conversations and connections to larger events, so we’re putting together several breakfasts with hosts from the Knight Election Hub team on Thursday morning and inviting local journalists, journalists working on elections projects, and people who are newer to the news-nerd community to join a table and get to know some folks over breakfast. Learn more and sign up here.
5 – 7 p.m. — Audience Community of Practice Happy Hour
Mingle and enjoy fantastic bites and beverages at Alma Cocina Downtown with members of the Lenfest Institute’s Audience Community of Practice. It’s just a six-minute walk from the conference hotel.
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. — ONA Reception: Arts + Crafts with Canopy Atlanta
Come join us for an evening with the Canopy Atlanta team at one of the city’s premier art spaces, Atlanta Contemporary, on Thursday evening during ONA conference week. Since 2020, Canopy Atlanta has taken its unique, community-first approach to storytelling across metro Atlanta. We welcome those visiting Atlanta for the ONA conference and our fellow Atlanta journalists to learn more about Canopy Atlanta and explore this innovative art museum. As a part of Atlanta Contemporary’s Crafts + Cocktails night, attendees can enjoy creating crafts and perusing the art center’s shop and current exhibits. We’ll provide light refreshments and your first cocktail is on us! We hope you’ll join us to connect with community journalism and local art Thursday night. RSVP here.
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. — ONA24 Happy Hour Hosted by Maynard Institute
Alumni and friends are welcome to join Atlanta -based Maynard Institute alumni at Tin Lizzy’s for taco, bar, and drink specials. RSVP required.
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. — Rooftop Kickback in South Downtown ATL with Vngle
Join Vngle for an evening rooftop experience on one of South Downtown Atlanta’s best roof tops! Drinks and bites to eat will be available. Limited space. Join the waitlist for the ticket drop.
Friday
4:30 p.m. — Chicago Meetup
Head over to the hotel bar, Twenty Two Stories, for a casual meet-and-greet with other ONA24 attendees who are from, live in or just like the Chicago area.
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. — Join Vngle at Downtown ATL’s Hidden Speakeasy + Cigar Lounge
Join Vngle for a night of networking with notable spirits and cigars. Vngle will provide cigars upon request. Learn more and RSVP here.
