Regional SPJ conference in Hawaii this April

"Surfing the Media: Everyone's News" is the theme of this year's conference

By Jennifer Croshaw, San Diego Pro Chapter

Entertainment editor, SignOnSanDiego.com

Will you be prepared to do your job when disaster strikes? The Hawaii Pro Chapter of SPJ wants to make sure you are. At the 2007 Region XI conference, the agenda includes a panel on reporting during hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes -- natural disasters our Pacific region is apt to experience.

“Surfing the News: Everyone's Media” is a fitting title for the Honolulu conference, to be held April 12th through April 14th in the Ala Moana Hotel. Just two blocks from the beach, the conference will keep attendees’ attention with a keynote address by Adm. Gary Roughead, head of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Roughead will speak about post-9/11 security in the Pacific.

Also on the program are personal writing critiques, panels on online and ethnic media, and an appearance by Lance Williams. Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle reporter facing contempt charges after reporting on baseball player Barry Bonds’ alleged steroid use. You might remember Williams’ colleague, Mark Fainaru-Wada, who spoke at the last San Diego chapter journalism awards banquet.

Registration fees are $110 for SPJ members and non-member students. Students who are also SPJ members pay a $100 registration fee, and all other registrants pay $140. Registration includes the Thursday night reception, a boxed lunch on Friday, dinner on Friday, and lunch on Saturday.

The Ala Moana Hotel offers a discounted rate of $129 per night for SPJ conference attendees. Call (800) 446-8990 and ask for the SPJ rate. For conference registration information, visit www.hawaiispj.org, or call (808) 524-6441.