ONA Convention can pay dividends
Despite the gloomy outlook based on 2008 performance, you can start the new year by cashing in on dividends presented at the ONA Convention Feb. 11-13 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton Town Center. Returning by popular demand is the Great Ideas Exchange led by Bob Scaife on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 12. It’s a chance to not only win cash prizes of $150 to $500, but it’s a chance to walk away with money-making or money-saving ideas presented by your colleagues.
During the 75-minute session, presenters will have three minutes each to summarize ideas from virtually any part of the newspaper operation. Examples are products, projects or operational policies that have worked successfully. They may come from, but are not limited to the newsroom, advertising, circulation, customer service, production, marketing & promotion, Web sites and online offerings.
Scaife, who will moderate the session, also returns by popular demand. He is now a consultant who recently formed “rgs NewspaperSolutions,” a company devoted to providing sales development services, initiatives and marketing strategies for newspapers across the U.S. and Canada. He was with the Newspaper Association of America
for nearly 30 years, most recently as vice president of marketing/small-market newspapers.
Anyone registered for the convention may enter the Great Ideas Exchange, either in advance or on the spot. The audience votes for the winners, with the announcement made at a cocktail reception following the 5 p.m. close of the session. For complete contest details go to www.ohionews.org/pdf/greatideasguidelines.pdf.
Many other convention sessions will deliver additional dividends and they include:
* The Next Newspaper Ad Sales Model
* The Future of Newsprint
* Web Solutions for Community Newspapers
* E-Readers & Going Mobile
* Blogs & Legal Issues.
So don’t delay, register now! The complete program and online registration are available by going to: convention.ohionews.org.
