Schedule

 

All sessions are subject to change.

Schedule – Friday, April 5, 2024

 

8:00 am – 4:45 pm Top of the escalators | On-Site Registration

8:00 am – 4:45 pm Ballroom Foyer | Career and College Fair
Recruit and network with media professionals and students from across the six-state region. Hosted in partnership with the Upper Midwest Emmy Awards Chapter.

8:15 am – 9:30 am Meridian Ballroom 1-2-3 | Main Session: Politics and Elections
This 2024 presidential election season the political stakes may be higher than ever. We’ll do a deep dive with CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny and get his thoughts on covering the story beyond the horse race. Sponsored by the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and the University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Moderator: Barney McCoy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

9:30 – 9:45 am Ballroom Foyer | Break to visit Career and College Fair booths

9:45 am – 11:00 am Meridian Ballroom 1-2-3 | Conversation about politics and elections
We’ll continue the main session with an in-depth panel discussion and audience Q&A about covering your community and the big picture during the 2024 election season.
Moderator: Barney McCoy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Panelists: Jeff Zeleny, CNN; Kathryn Pearson, University of Minnesota; Clay Masters, Minnesota Public Radio; Briana Bierschbach, StarTribune

11:00 – 11:15 am Ballroom Foyer | Break to visit Career and College Fair booths

11:15 am – 12:30 pm Meridian Ballroom 1-2-3 | SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon
The Trauma of Dealing with Trauma: Minneapolis StarTribune reporter Reid Forgrave tells us about his in-depth investigation into the people of Hennepin County Medical Center. In his words, HCMS bears the weight of society’s ills, with gun violence the heaviest. Sponsored by SPJ and Kiplinger.

12:15 – 12:30 pm Ballroom Foyer | Break to visit Career and College Fair booths

1:00 – 5:00 pm Think 5 Room | Critique Sessions
Here’s your chance to have your resume, video, audio, and/or writing critiqued by newsroom managers from around the Midwest. Please provide your reel on a flash drive, CD, or simply bring along links to your work online. This is an open session, so come and go when it works for your schedule.

12:30 – 1:45 pm Breakout Sessions

  • Breakout 1A Pinnacle Ballroom | Sounds Good!
    Interviews aren’t the only audio that can make a story pop. This session shows how natural sound and non-interview audio can be used to bring life to storytelling and put listeners at the scene with you. Award-winning reporters and news directors from large, medium and small market stations will share their stories and how they made them work. Sponsored by South Dakota Broadcasters Association
    Moderator: J. P. Skelly, KORN Mitchell, SD
    Panelists: Zach Nelson, KCCR-AM Pierre, SD; Meghann Oglesby, American Public Media, St. Paul, MN
 
  • Breakout 1B Pathways | How To Deal With Social Media Negativity
    Let’s face it, when you put yourself out there, will come your way. It can be frustrating when keyboard warriors bring negative energy. But there are ways you can combat the trolls, and we’ll bring some tips to make your online life a little easier.
    Presenter: Felicity Dachel, WQOW-TV Eau Claire, WI
 
  • Breakout 1C Meridian Ballroom 4 | Covering Suicide
    Dr. Dan Reidenberg is a clinical psychologist and an internationally recognized expert on the difficult subject of suicide and the media. He was principal author of the World Health Organization’s guidelines for journalists and has been widely consulted and quoted by outlets from The New York Times to Netflix. Find out what research says about best practices for reporting on this important issue to educate audiences and minimize harm.
    Presenter: Dr. Dan Reidenberg
 

1:45 – 2:00 pm Ballroom Foyer | Break to visit Career and College Fair booths

2:00 – 3:15 pm Breakout Sessions

  • Breakout 2A Meridian Ballroom 4 | Is Objectivity Obsolete?
    These days, some of the traditional values of journalism are the subject of serious new scrutiny. Is anybody really truly “objective”? Is that even a worthy goal? What are the alternatives? If true objectivity is unattainable, does that mean we shouldn’t try? And are we ready to apply that logic to other principles, as well? Join a candid and provocative conversation about one of the biggest issues facing the news business today. Sponsord by University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
    Presenter: Scott Libin, University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication
 
  • Breakout 2B Pathways | Have you thought about producing?
    Calling all students and budding journalists! Step into the heart of media creation with our breakout session designed just for you. Explore the captivating world of news producing for broadcast and news radio. Understand the role of a producer, from crafting compelling stories to orchestrating seamless broadcasts. Attendees will discover why choosing the path of a producer opens doors to a dynamic career. Join us for an inspiring session where creativity meets strategy and learn why news production is the heartbeat of impactful journalism.
    Moderator: Joe Radske, WEAU-TV Eau Claire, WI
    Panelists: Kevin Bennett, Dakota News Now Sioux Falls, SD; Kari Patey, CBS News; Meghann Oglesby, American Public Media
 
  • Breakout 2C Pinnacle Ballroom | Covering Courts
    Local journalists share ideas and ways to better cover the criminal justice system. From attending court, accessing documents, and the often sensitive nature of some court proceedings, we’ll discuss ways to improve your coverage of courts. This includes making coverage and records requests, cameras in the courtroom, live streaming, tracking cases, and when to use mugshots in your stories.
    Moderators: Michael Oder, KTTC-TV Rochester, MN and Kevin Millard, WXOW-TV La Crosse, WI
    Panelists: Olivia Prondzinski, KTTC-TV Rochester, MN; Kyle Christopherson, Minnesota Judicial Branch

3:15 – 3:30 pm Ballroom Foyer | Break to visit Career and College Fair booths

3:30 – 4:30 pm Focus Sessions

  • Breakout 3A Meridian Ballroom 4 | Supporting Your Staff: Understanding Diverse Perspectives and Backgrounds
    To understand how to achieve inclusion, we must first examine how human beings behave and interact with difference. We often make choices or decisions without even thinking about them because they are driven by our gut reactions. In this session, we will discuss the origins of implicit bias and its role in our everyday lives. Using neuroscience and psychology research, we will engage in a process of self-awareness about how unconscious bias affects us, others around us and our ability to do our best work. Finally, we will learn strategies to mitigate unwanted effects of implicit bias and cultivate an inclusive community. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.
    Presenter: Binnu Palta Hill, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for the Wisconsin School of Business
 
  • Breakout 3B Pathways | Getting your first (or next) job
    Finding your first job is exciting and overwhelming. We know, we’ve been there. Our panel of experts will talk about what you should have on your reel and resume. How to get noticed by a hiring manager and what questions you should ask during your interview. Bring your questions, we’ll be ready to answer them. Sponsored by University of South Dakota.
    Moderator: TBA
    Panelists: Anne Hughes, KWQC-TV Davenport, IA; Nicole Carros, talent acquisition specialist for Gray Television; Brian Nemitz, WCCO-TV Minneapolis
  • Breakout 3C Pinnacle Ballroom | AI Tools
    As the debate over artificial intelligence continues, we’ll have a discussion about how one organization was able to use the power of AI to provide readers with beneficial content that saves time and money. We’ll also get audience input on the value of AI and using it in a responsible and ethical way in our newsrooms.
    Moderator: Kevin Millard, WXOW-TV La Crosse, WI
    Panelists: Mark Stahura, Forum Communications, Fargo, ND

6:00 pm Ballroom Foyer | Upper Midwest Emmy® Student Awards Reception and Career Fair

7:00 pm Meridian Ballroom | Upper Midwest Emmy® Foundation Student Production Awards Ceremony (requires separate registration – visit https://midwestemmys.org/ to register)

 

 

Schedule – Saturday, April 6, 2024

 

7:30 am Think 3 Room | MBJA Educators Breakfast

8:30 am – 4:45 pm Top of the escalators | On-Site Registration

9:00 am – 10:15 am Meridian Ballroom 1-2-3 | Main Session: Mental Health and Burnout
The demands on journalists only seem to increase, making a challenging job even more difficult. How can you and your colleagues work together to support each other? SmithGeiger has recently completed a research study commissioned by the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute that aims to find solutions to burnout in the news industry. Join us to learn what the research found about burnout and for ideas for how your newsroom can address the issue. Sponsored by Allen Media.
Presenter: Andrew Finlayson, SmithGeiger

10:15 – 10:30 am Ballroom Foyer | Break to visit Career and College Fair booths

10:30 am – 11:45 am Meridian Ballroom 1-2-3 | Main Session Continues
After a break, the conversation continues about burnout in the newsroom. What are the implications of the new research findings? How are news organizations addressing the issue? We’ll also get a first-hand account of how burnout can impact a journalist. Joining Andrew Finlayson of SmithGeiger will be Amy Schmelzer, KCCI-TV news operations manager; Brandt Williams, Minnesota Public Radio editor; and Steve Karlin, former KCCI-TV anchor who serves as an advocate after sharing his lifelong battle with depression.

11:45 – Noon Ballroom Foyer | Break to visit Career and College Fair booths

Noon – 1:15 pm Pinnacle Ballroom | RTDNA Region 4 Luncheon and MBJA Business Meeting

    • • Buffet Lunch
 
    • • MBJA Business Meeting and Elections
 
    • • Remarks from RTDNA Executive Director Dan Shelley
 
    • • Guest Speaker: Sheryl Worsley, RTDNA Chair-Elect
 

1:15 – 1:30 pm Ballroom Foyer | Break to visit Career and College Fair booths

1:00 – 5:00 pm Think 5 Room | Critique Sessions
Here’s your chance to have your resume, video, audio, and/or writing critiqued by newsroom managers from around the Midwest. Please provide your reel on a flash drive, CD, or simply bring along links to your work online. This is an open session, so come and go when it works for your schedule.

1:30 – 2:45 pm Breakout Sessions

  • Breakout 4A Meridian Ballroom 1-2-3 | Strengthening Your Storytelling
    It’s more than one word after the other. Learn from award-winning journalists as they share strategies and techniques to create captivating stories. Whether you’re an experienced journalist or new to the field, this session is designed to enhance your writing skills and help you connect to your community on a deeper level.
    Moderator: Aaron Quanbeck, Minnesota State Univ. Moorhead
    Panelists: Kevin Wallevand, WDAY-TV Fargo, ND; Reg Chapman, WCCO-TV Minneapolis; Jennifer Lewerenz, KNSI-FM St. Cloud, MN
 
  • Breakout 4B Pathways | Sports
    There are a lot of people interested in covering sports for a living but what does it take to stand out in a crowded field? In a return of this popular session, we’ll look at the ways some of the best are doing it. Sponsored by South Dakota State University School of Communication and Journalism
    Moderator: Joe Radske, WEAU-TV Eau Claire, WI
    Panelists: Cooper Seamer, Dakota News Now Sioux Falls, SD; Jessi Pierce, NHL.com

  • Breakout 4C Meridian 4 | Digital First
    More and more in this industry people are using the phrase ‘digital first’ but what does that mean? In this session, learn not only how to prioritize digital in your newsroom, but also why doing so matters. Jordyn Bruns, the digital content specialist at Allen Media, will walk through just how much news consumption has changed in favor of digital, and how you can best meet your audience where they are at. Sponsored by South Dakota News Watch.
    Presenter: Felicity Dachel, WQOW-TV Eau Claire, WI
 

2:45 – 3:15 pm Ballroom Foyer | Break to visit Career and College Fair booths

3:15 – 4:15 pm Meridian 1-2-3 | Closing Session: Pep Talk With Sheletta Brundidge
Feeling fatigued, stressed or even numbed by the weighty issues confronting journalists? We’ve got just what you need, and it’s not another panel discussion. Sheletta Brundidge is like no other speaker. She’s a former TV news assignment editor turned radio host, children’s book author, podcaster and more with a message that’s more relevant than ever. Conclude your conference with an experience you won’t soon forget. Re-energize, laugh a little and get inspired with a pep talk from Sheletta. Sponsored by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association.

 

4:15 pm Ballroom Foyer | Open time for networking

6:00 pm Ballroom Foyer | Reception and MBJF Online Auction with cash bar

7:00 pm Meridian Ballroom | Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association Eric Sevareid Awards Banquet – Join us for the annual Eric Sevareid Awards ceremony, which honors the best in radio and television, and meet this year’s recipient of the Mitchell V. Charnley Award for outstanding contributions to broadcast journalism. Sponsored by Gray Television.

    • • Dinner
 
    • • MBJF Diversity Scholarship
 
    • • Jack Shelley Scholarship
 
    • • Mitchell V. Charnley Award
 
    • • Eric Sevareid Awards ceremony
 
    • • New MBJA president inducted