2012 Convention

The Chicago Bean

AWSM Chicago: June 20-23, 2012

Because we are partnering with the Associated Press Sports Editors, we are starting this year’s convention a day early. APSE traditionally begins its convention on Wednesday, so we’ll be joining in the fun. Make your travel plans to be in Chicago for the start of the convention on Wednesday, June 20. Join all the panels. Hear all the speakers. Attend all the events. You won’t want to miss it.

Then, AWSM will have a welcome event at its traditional time — Thursday evening. You won’t want to miss that either!

Mark your calendars! AWSM’s annual convention will run from Wednesday June 20 to Saturday June 23 in the Windy City!

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So, if you can’t get there for APSE’s opening day, be sure to plan to be in Chicago for AWSM’s Opening Night event on Thursday, June 21.

THE HOTEL: The Chicago Marriott Downtown in the heart of the famed Miracle Mile will be the host hotel for our meeting. Located on Michigan Avenue, the hotel features trendy rooms that blend classic comfort and contemporary sophistication. Amenities include a health club and an indoor pool.

The Marriott is a short walk from some of the best shopping in the world. Stroll along the Miracle Mile, and you’ll find everything from Tiffany and Co. and Giorgio Armani to Macy’s and H&M. The Navy Pier, Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park are also nearby.

THE ROOM RATE: Our room rate is $199 (singles/doubles). While we understand this is higher than many other conventions, this is a prime location in Chicago. Also, we have a great cost-saving option — roommate share. If you’re willing to share with one other person, your cost is about $100 a night. If you’re willing to share with three others, your cost would be about $50 a night. A room on the Miracle Mile for $50 a night? That’s a steal.

If you want to share a room with one or more AWSM members who are also attending the convention, contact Roommate Share Coordinator Jane Havsy at jahavsy1@stwing.org. She will gather names and pair up interested parties. Email her with any questions or to get more information.

THE REGISTRATION: Convention registration is $200 for members and $325 for non-members. Student registration is $150. Day rates are available as well. (Registration deadline is May 25, 5 p.m.)

THE TOPICS: Here’s a look at the panels and workshops you’ll see in Chicago.

The Olympics: Everything You Need to Know: The London Games are a month away. Here’s what you need to know to cover them, whether you are there in person or not.
A year of scandal in college sports: A look at how publications across platforms around the nation broke some of the biggest stories of 2011.
Title IX: The legacy of 40 years: Saturday, June 23 marks the 40th anniversary of Title IX, which says simply: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” We look back at where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going.
The Re-emphasis on Sunday: The Sunday paper is making a comeback. Driven in no small measure by the coupons, ads and inserts we run on Sundays, many organizations are reinvesting in the Sunday core product as its driving revenue. This workshop looks at not only breathing new life into your Sunday section (which probably has shrunk space-wise) but also integrating with your digital approach since Sunday is your lowest traffic day on the web.
Ambitious Journalism: Looking at the New York Times series on Derek Boogaard and Yahoo’s investigation of the Miami football program. How they did it and how to identify these types of stories and commit to pursuing them, no matter how big your staff is.
What’s going on around here?: How can reporters take the extra steps that will turn an excellent story into an excellent package. Plus, steps that can be taken to improve intra-office communication.
Unlocking the mystery of SEO: How to optimize eyeballs on your content.
Social media & journalism ethics: In the wake of the premature Twitter death report of Joe Paterno, and in the context of how social media has become a primary breaking-news tool, we present best practices.
Marketing/promoting/branding/monetizing the sports department and special projects: Focused on smaller news organizations, this session covers everything from football Fridays to special sections to books to digital-only content that will bring home the bacon.
What a Woman Wants: Examining the consumption of sports content by women and how it’s evolved over the last 40 years. We know women don’t simply want coverage of women’s sports. It’s much more complex and nuanced.

THE SCHEDULE: Subject to change:

Wednesday, June 20

3 to 5 p.m.: APSE Executive Committee meeting
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: AWSM’s opening general membership meeting
5:10 to 5:50 p.m.: APSE Region meetings
6 to 7 p.m.: AP newcomers reception
7 to 10 p.m.: Opening-night reception

Thursday. June 21

9 a.m.: Family Orientation
9 to 10:30 a.m.: APSE general membership meeting
10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: General session I: Year of Scandal
12:30 to 2 p.m.: AWSM Mary Garber Pioneer Award luncheon
2:15 to 3:30 p.m.:
Workshop I
Workshop II
Workshop III
3:45 to 5 p.m.:
Workshop I
Workshop II
Workshop III
5:15 p.m.: Small news organization caucus
6 to 10 p.m.: AWSM-only welcome event
APSE is on your own.

Friday, June 22

9 to 10:30 a.m.: General Session II
10:45 a.m. to noon:
Workshop IV
Workshop V
Workshop VI
12:15 to 1:45 p.m.:Red Smith Award luncheon
2 to 3:30 p.m.: General Session III
3:45 to 5 p.m.:
Workshop IV
Workshop V
Workshop VI
Evening Activity: White Sox game

Saturday, June 23

9 to 10:15 a.m.: General Session IV
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: APSE closing meeting
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: AWSM general membership meeting
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: AWSM job fair
Afternoon activities: basketball, APSE 5K run, tennis tournament
6 to 10 p.m.: Awards banquet & reception

THE TEAM: The 2012 Convention Planning team includes: Amy Moritz of The Buffalo News, AWSM’s President (amy.moritz@awsmonline.org); Karen Wall Bush, AWSM’s Secretary/Treasurer (karen.wall@awsmonline.org); and Meghan Montemurro of The Northwest Herald (mmontemurro@shawmedia.com).

Look for updates online and via Twitter @AWSM_SportMedia.

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!