Go West

The 2008 Young Reader Seminar covers it all – and then some.

First Published: Fall 2007

Digital NIE, alternative storytelling, magical workshops, pizza vs. paychecks – these are just some of the topics on tap at the 2008 NAA Foundation Young Reader Seminar.

The seminar, designed to be the premiere training opportunity for NIE professionals, youth editors and scholastic journalism advocates, will run from Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, May 18 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix. Separate programming strands will provide everyone who attends with plenty of chances to learn through interactive instructional sessions, inspiring keynote addresses, show-and-tell presentations and informative discussions.

Two pre-seminar sessions will be offered on Thursday: “Digital NIE,” in which experts from the field offer a how-to on starting such a program (even if your newspaper doesn’t yet have an e-edition); and “Alternative Storytelling,” a look at different ways of approaching content led by Chris Courtney, design director of RedEye in Chicago. 

Friday and Saturday will boast two full days of programming, starting with an opening session featuring Steve Benson, editorial cartoonist at The Arizona Republic of Phoenix. Benson, who has been at the drawing board at the Republic for more than 20 years, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1993 and also has served as president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.

Other seminar highlights will include: a general session on the latest Foundation research studies, which examine the effects of teen newspaper use on future civic engagement and assess the impact of high school journalism courses on ACT scores; and “Straight From the Source,” a presentation by the Young Reader Seminar teen fellows on what young people really want and need from newspapers.

Breakout sessions on both days will cover a broad spectrum of subjects: NIE and youth advisory boards, marketing to teachers, marketing to moms, finding and keeping teen journalists, organizing workshops, community journalism for youth, bridging the gap between digital and print NIE, new ways of engaging teen readers, improving sponsorship pitches and working from home … just to name a few. 

The Arizona Republic, host newspaper for the 2008 Young Reader Seminar, will sponsor an evening at Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse. This event will give attendees a true taste of the West with a barbecue, live music, dancing and a bonfire.

Not to be missed, of course, will be the presentations of the Foundation Content and Program Excellence awards. The Content Awards will be announced during Friday’s lunchtime sessions, while the Program Excellence trophies will be revealed at Saturday’s honors banquet.

The final two general sessions on Sunday will offer the latest updates from the Audit Bureau of Circulations as well as “Remembrance of Things Past,” a look back (and forward) with Foundation Vice President Jim Abbott.

Cost to attend the 2008 Young Reader Seminar will be $300 per person through April 11. After that date, the registration fee will go to $350 per person. A 25 percent discount will be given to two or more attendees from the same newspaper or organization, as long as all registration forms are submitted at the same time. Meal tickets for guests also will be available for purchase; check the registration form for prices.

The room rate at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass will be $199/night for single or double occupancy, plus taxes and fees. For more hotel information, visit www.wildhorsepassresort.com.

For a detailed schedule and registration form, visit www.naafoundation.org.

See you in Phoenix!