REGIONAL CONFERENCE A MONTH AWAY Our regional conference is looking great. We have 64 speakers and panelists spread out over two days – April 14 and 15. The St. Paul Pioneer Press Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon and Star Tribune Journalism Festival 2000 Reception are Friday.

REGIONAL The Regional conference is taking shape. We have a full slate of panels and speakers April 14-15 at the Sheraton Minneapolis Metrodome. The conference is called “Journalism Festival 2000,” and we are jointly hosting it with the National Press Photographers Association and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the group that awards the Emmy,s that recently started a…

STAFF VISIT Region 6 Director Dave Aeikens and Minnesota Chapter President Gary Hill met January 12 with national SPJ staff members Tammi Hughes and Liz Ellis at KSTP-TV in St. Paul.

MARK OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS The entry forms for the annual Mark of Excellence Awards have gone out. These awards honor the best in student journalism. The entries are due back to national Jan. 31.

NATIONAL CONVENTION FINANCES After some early concern from the National organization, it turns out the 1999 convention in Indianapolis was profitable. The organization made $39,571. Convention attendance was down, many believe because of the Sunday through Tuesday timeline, and national leaders feared SPJ would lose money.

REGIONAL CONFERENCE UPDATE The 2000 regional conference in Minneapolis could shape up to be a major event. Discussions are in progress to include programs from Investigative Reporters and Editors, National Press Photographers Association, a Taishoff broadcasting seminar and programs from the National Association of Television and the Arts, the group that gives out Emmy Awards. We are working with these…

REGIONAL CONFERENCE The 2000 regional conference is April 14 and 15 at the Sheraton Minneapolis Metrodome. I have sent a separate e-mail with more details you can send around and make into a poster.