Jess Strelitz
Note: This is part of a series of posts written by ONA staff and conference organizers recommending sessions they feel will be particularly interesting. Of course, we hope every session is valuable to the right audience, but with so many things happening at ONA15, we want to offer useful highlights from a variety of viewpoints.
Previous recommendations came from Julie Westfall and Luis Gomez, co-chairs of the ONA15 Program Team, Jen Mizgata, ONA’s Senior Communications Manager and Jeremiah Patterson, ONA’s Digital Manager. This list was created by Jess Strelitz, ONA’s Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships.
The Ethics of Food Writing: A Conversation with Jonathan Gold
Thursday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Santa Monica Room
I am a food freak. So, when I learned that not only was ONA hosting a conference in LA, land of innovative food trucks, countless star chefs and of course, TACOS, I was beyond thrilled. In fact, I specifically requested partner meetings OVER tacos during my pre-event visits around town. When I heard we would also have the privilege of hearing from Jonathan Gold, he of the fearless palate and champion of the humble plate, I jumped up and down (not an easy feat, as I was nearly seven months pregnant at the time). Staff rarely have a chance to sit down during the three days of the conference — and my workload will double this year as I will also be carrying around my six-week-old son — but I will not miss this session. Look for me in the front row, asking Jonathan to autograph my infant’s onesie.
Sponsored Sessions: Metics, Politics, Video, Diversity, Trends & More
This is the first year ONA has hosted sponsored sessions, and I was overwhelmed by the creative, thoughtful and extremely useful data and best practices that our partners are bringing to the table as part of these one-hour sessions. There is really something for everyone, and the presenters are experts in their fields.
- Whose Truth? Evaluate Experts, Recognize Non-Science, Tell Better Science & Environmental Stories
- Using Data, New Tools and Social Media to Hack the Upcoming Elections
- Twitter For News: Perspectives from Twitter’s Global Partnerships Team
- Creative Collaborations in Digital Media
- Everyone’s a Documentary Maker: The Rise, Risks and Rewards of Video Storytelling in the Public Interest
- Secrets and Lies: What 15 Social Media Managers (Don’t) Want You to Know
- From Text to Interactives: A Look at the Evolution of Digital Journalism
- Can You Have Their Attention Please? How To Get And Keep Readers Reading
- A Year in Data: 2014 – 2015 Audience Trends
- Preparing for the Next Jobs in Journalism
- The 24-7 Blended Newsroom: The Vision, and the Reality
Various times, Pacific Room
Making Long-Form Work on the Web: Networking and Discussion
Wednesday, 6:30 – 8 p.m.– Olympic Ballroom II
I started my digital career as a sports writer at USA Today. When I say this is a star-studded line-up to kick off the conference, I mean it. Kate Fagan, Kurt Streeter, Wright Thompson and Don Van Natta Jr. will talk with ESPN’s Eric Neel about the challenges and rewards of the deep dive. Pick up your badge (and your loaded attendee goodie bag) and meet your fellow attendees before the conference officially starts. And sit next to me if you want to talk NHL, golf or anything New England pro team-related.
Daily, Preview Room II
OK, so this isn’t a session, but it is a part of this conference that I am particularly proud of — not only as a currently nursing/pumping working mom, but someone who has been forced to stand in bathrooms and hide in closets (and my car) for many years while trying to feed my babies on the road. Not at ONA15. Kudos to the Hyatt for working with us on this space too.
