The conference’s keynote address and lunch panel feature special guest Steve Engelberg, managing editor of the non-profit, investigative newsroom ProPublica. Breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon offer training in traditional skills and emerging technologies. All sessions take place at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication in Allen Hall. Choose from the following:
8:00 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Registration begins. Coffee and pastries available.
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Keynote speech. Steve Engelberg with welcoming remarks from the Society of Professional Journalists and the University of Oregon. Allen 221
9:35 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Political reporting. The Register-Guard’s Dave Steves and the Salem Statesman-Journal’s Peter Wong join former reporter Don Hamilton and ex-candidate Steve Novick to explain how to make political reporting both relevant and interesting. Allen 211
• Multimedia reporting. KGW’s Web manager Frank Mungeam and Carla Savalli, formerly of the Spokesman-Review, discuss trends in digital media. Savalli organized the Spokesman’s “Newsroom of the Future” effort, which integrated cutting-edge technology into the newsroom of a major daily paper. Allen 307
• Avoiding interview pitfalls. Les Zaitz guides us through the state investigation of Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto, showing us state investigators’ interview flaws and how to avoid them. This presentation was so popular at The Oregonian, Zaitz gave it three times. Allen 221
11:05 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• So you want to freelance? Award winners Nancy Rommelmann and Zach Dundas reveal how they make a living at freelancing. Allen 211
• Diving in deep waters. The best reporting often flows from leaving your comfort zone. In this talk, Steve Engelberg gives tips on how to investigate unfamiliar subject matter — like the nation’s credit markets. Allen 221
• Crunching the numbers. Portland Police Bureau Spokesman Brian Schmautz joins Christian Whitol of the Register-Guard to probe crime stats, budgets and tricky numbers. Learn to avoid common mistakes and use numbers to find the story. Allen 307
• Podcasting. Podcast guru Julie Sabatier hosts a hands-on training for turning your story idea into an audio download. Space is limited. (This session is fully booked.) Allen 302
12:35 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Lunch panel. ProPublica’s Steve Engelberg, former Spokesman-Review’s Editor Steve Smith and KGW online editor Frank Mungeam talk about the future of the news business. Lunch provided. Allen 221
2:05 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Deadline writing. University of Oregon instructor Lance Robertson presents tips for getting “unstuck” when on deadline. Allen 307
• Podcasting. Podcast guru Julie Sabatier hosts a hands-on training for turning your story idea into an audio download. Space is limited. (This session is fully booked.) Allen 302
• Localizing the real estate meltdown. A source for NPR, CNN and MSNBC, Washington-based expert appraiser Richard Hagar specializes in training police detectives to unearth real estate fraud. Now he’s going to help attendees do a better job of covering a beat that’s gone from humdrum to hot: real estate. Allen 221
• Newsroom management in times of turmoil. Former Spokesman-Review Editor Steve Smith talks about managing a newsroom in an advertising and circulation downturn. Allen 211
• Career counseling in Allen Hall’s lounge. Drop in throughout the afternoon to speak with established pros on the direction of your career. (Pre-registration for this event has closed.)
3:35 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• News Google can use. Rob Smith from the Portland Business Journal, Rachel Andersen from Anvil Media and John Russial from the University of Oregon talk about shaping online content to reach Google users. Allen 307
• So you want to be a blogger? Learn how from BikePortland’s Jonathan Maus, Loaded Orygun’s “Torrid Joe” and More Hockey Less War’s Steve Rawley. Allen 211
• Soundslides for reporters. A hands-on training with Michael James Werner and Katie Campbell from the University of Oregon. Soundslides combines low-tech audio and photos into video slide shows. This is a great tool for journalists on the go, who need little more than cell phones and an intro to capture quick shows to augment print stories. Space is limited. (This session is fully booked.) Allen 302
• Localizing the real estate meltdown (repeat). A source for NPR, CNN and MSNBC, Washington-based expert appraiser Richard Hagar specializes in training police detectives to unearth real estate fraud. Now he’s going to help attendees do a better job of covering a beat that’s gone from humdrum to hot: real estate. Allen 221
5:30 p.m.
• Social Hour. Mingle with colleagues at Rennie’s Landing at 1214 Kincaid Street.
