SPJ, RTDNA, NAHJ agree to explore joint conferences in 2017 and 2019

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9/20/2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 20, 2015

Contacts:
Dana Neuts, SPJ National President, 360-920-1737(PDT), dneuts@spj.org
Mekahlo Medina, NAHJ National President, 213-308-3392, mmedina@nahj.org
Mike Cavender, Executive Director, RTDNA, 770-622-7011, mikec@rtdna.org
Jennifer Royer, SPJ Communications Strategist, 317-361-4134, jroyer@spj.org

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and National Association of Hispanic Journalists(NAHJ) have agreed to explore continuing their partnership in hosting the Excellence in Journalism conference in 2017 and 2019.

Earlier this week, all three boards voted to approve finalizing details to continue the partnership. The three groups first held a joint convention for EIJ13 in Anaheim, Calif.

“There’s a collaborative spirit and a synergy that comes with bringing members of SPJ, RTDNA and NAHJ together for our annual conference. We can accomplish more working together as a group, than any of us can achieve alone,” said Dana Neuts, SPJ national president. “While each organization maintains its own conference events, there are also opportunities for networking, sharing knowledge, improving journalism and working toward common goals.”

“NAHJ has enjoyed its joining SPJ and RTDNA since we first joined them at EIJ13 and we are excited to continue this partnership,” said Mekahlo Medina, NAHJ national president. “NAHJ first joined these other two well-respected in response to our members asking for a national conference with better programming at a reasonable price. This partnership has more than delivered.”

“The partnership between our organizations has continued to enrich and enliven our national conference," said Amy Tardif, Chair of RTDNA. "We look forward to creating new and exciting opportunities for training, networking and community-building for journalists across the country.”
SPJ and RTDNA have partnered to host an annual conference since 2011. NAHJ has joined them every two years, in 2013 and 2015. On Friday it was announced that the Native American Journalists Association will join SPJ and RTDNA for the 2016 conference in New Orleans.

EIJ conference attendees are the top professionals in journalism, including: newsroom decision makers, leaders, station managers, reporters, producers, content managers, editors, freelancers and educators — people who are looking to implement new technologies, software products and journalism best practices in their newsrooms as soon they return home from the annual convention.

EIJ is set to return to Anaheim, Calif., in 2017 and will be held in Baltimore in 2018.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information on SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.

RTDNA is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTDNA represents local and network journalists in broadcasting, cable and digital media in more than 30 countries. Learn more about RTDNA at www.rtdna.org.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. Learn more about NAHJ at www.nahj.org.

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