SLOGGING = SLOW + BLOGGING

That's me. A very slow blogger. In any case, here's the first of several updates on the recently concluded SPJ convention.

SPJ marked its 100th anniversary with a successful convention in Indianapolis Aug. 27-30, drawing 649 to three and a half days of excellent professional development sessions, networking and fun. Last year’s convention in Atlanta pulled in 520 journalists.

Sponsorships were also up this year, according to The Working Press, the convention newspaper produced by student volunteers. The Atlanta convention generated $70,000 in sponsorships; the recently concluded Indianapolis gathering produced $87,000.

Check out the free-to-SPJ-members streaming video from some of the conference’s best sessions at http://www.spj.org/c-recap09.asp. That page also has links to a lot of other good stuff from the convention, including Roxana Saberi’s speech to the Mark of Excellence Awards luncheon.

Most conference sessions focused on practical issues involving careers and new media as well as SPJ’s centennial.

The convention also brings the election of national officers and about half the regional directors to the SPJ board. Hagit Limor of Cincinnati and Darcie Lunsford of Delray Beach, Fla., were unopposed for president-elect and secretary-treasurer, respectively. Kevin Z. Smith, whom delegates chose as president-elect in 2008, became president on Aug. 29.

You can find photos and other info about all board members at spj.org, but here’s the list of the 2009-10 officers and board members:

President: Kevin Z. Smith; President-Elect: Hagit Limor; Secretary-Treasurer: Darcie Lunsford; Immediate Past President: Dave Aeikens; Vice President, Campus Chapter Affairs: Neil Alan Ralston; Directors At-Large: Bill McCloskey; Michael Koretzky; Student Representatives: Tara Puckey; Andrew Seaman; Campus Advisers At-Large: Sue Kopen Katcef; George Daniels; Region 1 Director: Luther Turmelle; Region 2 Director: Brian Eckert; Region 3 Director: Jenn Rowell; Region 4 Director: Jeremy Steele; Region 5 Director: Liz Hansen; Region 6 Director: Amanda Theisen; Region 7 Director: Holly Edgell; Region 8 Director: Scott Cooper; Region 9 Director: John Ensslin; Region 10 Director: Dana Neuts; Region 11 Director: Jodi Cleesattle; Region 12 Director: Sonny Albarado.