The following is a letter from Donna Stokley, chair of the NAA Digital Media Program Planning Committee for our Marketing Conference, and managing director of sales for Tribune Interactive.

Do you know it all? Are you feeling left behind on the latest and greatest ideas?  Is every program you create a success?

As professionals in the digital media publishing space we are living our transition into multimedia companies every day. We know how important it is and how hard it can be to stay on top of the new ideas, best practices and pitfalls. So, take the guess work out of it and be smart by attending the NAA Marketing Conference, February 24-27, 2008, in Orlando.

The Conference provides the perfect opportunity to put aside your excuses for not staying abreast of new ideas and trends with 4 days of education, networking, and exhibits. The Conference Planning Committee has done the hard work for you. Eleven of your peers have worked these past 7 months to identify the topics and issues you need to know about, and found industry leaders to speak so you are learning from the best of the best. All you need to do is attend, listen, and learn—and take some time to network with the almost 2,000 other newspaper professionals.

The Program Planning Committee has taken care to ensure that the education sessions provide both a good balance of specific how-to’s you can take back and put to work immediately at your paper, and information on future trends, new products and innovations. Examples of sessions that will help you grow your audience and enhance revenue include:

• Can Money Buy News Innovation?: Four winners of the Knight News Challenge Awards discuss their innovative ideas and progress in the areas of community-oriented design; online games that inform and engage citizens; a community news platform that incorporates advertising, reverse publishing and professional and community journalism; and ways to engage young people in the 2008 election campaigns through newspaper digital mediums.
  
• Taking Your Website Revenue to the Next Level: Hear experts talk about new ways for newspapers to generate significant revenue in untraditional ways, including more targeted ad delivery; website video and photographs; alliances with major players on the web; and delivering mobile content portable devices.
  
• Why Newspaper Online Audience is Worth the Investment: Learn how to equip your sales teams and management with the proper understanding of the value your newspaper’s digital/web audience while maximizing your selling ability!

The full listing of all the education sessions, speaker and exhibitor information is available online at www.naa.org/marketingconference. You can also make your hotel reservations on the website. To receive the lowest rates, you must register and make hotel reservations by January 23, 2008. Last year, the hotel sold out quickly so be sure to make your reservations early. 

So, dedicate your time to attend a concentrated 4 days with peers and industry vendors discussing, sharing and learning about ways to grow your audience and revenue. I look forward to seeing you in Orlando this February!

Sincerely,