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Vice President Joe Biden, internationally known wildlife expert Jack Hanna, and newspaper executive and Major League Baseball owner Bob Nutting will be headline speakers at the 2012 Ohio Newspaper Association Convention.
The convention promises to be jam-packed with panels and information about industry trends along with networking opportunities with colleagues.
The convention opens with a reception on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Hilton Columbus at Polaris. Sessions start the following day. Confirmed presentations and panels include:
- Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden
The Vice President’s topic will be announced in the near future.
- Luncheon presentation by Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and the Wilds and well-known conservationist and television personality. Hanna will talk about his experiences with both conservation issues and the media. Hanna recently was in the international spotlight after exotic animals were released in theZanesville area and many had to be tragically shot.
- Breakfast presentation by Bob Nutting, the CEO of Ogden Newspapers and principal owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nutting will talk about the challenges and opportunities he sees in both of these fascinating roles as well as life under the media microscope as a team owner.
- All About the 3-Around
The hottest topic in the printing world is the conversion by The Columbus Dispatch to the compact, three-around printing format and the decision by Enquirer Media in Cincinnati to then move its printing to Columbus. Three people with direct involvement in the project — Benjamin Marrison, editor of The Dispatch; Philip Pikelny, vice president of Dispatch Digital and chief marketing officer for the Dispatch Printing Co.; and Dave Preisser, vice president of operations at Enquirer Media in Cincinnati — will discuss what this new printing system means for their organizations. They’ll bring prototypes, explain how they’re resolving issues and concerns, and why they believe it can increase readership and help the bottom line.
- What’s Up with Editorial Pages?
Editors from three different-sized papers — Dennis Mangan, editorial page editor for the Vindicator in Youngstown; Michael Throne, General Manager/Managing Editor for Chillicothe Gazette Media; and Gary Kiefer, Managing Editor for New Media for The Columbus Dispatch — will discuss the role of today’s newspaper editorial pages and how they’re evolving to stay relevant in the digital age. The moderator will be Ohio University’s Andy Alexander, former ombudsman of The Washington Post.
- New Tools for Building Audience and Revenue
Jackie Reau, CEO and founder of Cincinnati’s Game Day Communications, will speak on how newspapers of all sizes can use social media tools and event marketing to build audiences, improve brand identity and increase revenue.
- Where Ohio Readers Go First: Some Good News and Scary News
Anthony Casale, CEO of American Opinion Research and an original member of the USA Today startup team, will provide powerful data you can use that shows local newspapers are readers’ first choice for local advertising information. He’ll also describe issues emerging in attitudes about local news. His findings are based on surveys conducted throughout the country, including comprehensive research that AOR performed in Ohio in May.
- Great Revenue-Generating Ideas — and a Chance to Win an iPad 2!
Interested in learning great, revenue-generating ideas for print and digital? Newspapers from around Ohio submitted their best ideas for this panel–and the best idea will win an iPad, while the three runners-up will receive $50 gift cards and vouchers to attend free training sessions at any ONA training event during 2012. Nationally known advertising consultant Mel Taylor will review the best ideas with the audience, with attendees receiving a CD containing the ideas.
- Postal Service Update
Max Heath probably knows more about the Postal Service than most postmasters, and is the newspaper industry’s leading postal expert. Heath will not only host this session updating everyone on the latest developments with the USPS and Congress, he’ll set aside time to meet individually with members who have specific, local concerns. There will be advance signups for these one-on-one sessions as well as at our convention registration table.
- Weekly Roundtables and Contest Winners
And, of course, the convention will offer its popular weekly newspaper roundtables and the awards sessions for the ONA’s weekly and collegiate newspaper contests.
ONA members can receive an excellent room rate of $145 per night at the Hilton Columbus at Polaris. The hotel received rave reviews from members during last year’s convention, with special praise given for the quality of food and service and the hotel’s convenient location on Columbus’ north side. There also is great shopping nearby in the Polaris Fashion Placemall. Click here to register for the hotel and receive this special group rate. Please be aware the group rate will only be available until Jan. 19 or until the room block sells out, whichever comes first.
To register online for the convention, please click here.
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