The Newspaper Association of America, the National Association of Broadcasters and the Libel Defense Resource Center will co-sponsor the 10th biennial conference focusing on defamation and related tort issues.

The NAA/NAB/LDRC Libel Conference, titled "2002: Searching for the First Amendment," will be held September 25-27 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia.

To register for the conference, please click here for the online registration form.

DESIGNED FOR DEFENSE COUNSEL
The NAA/NAB/LDRC co-sponsored conference has been designed and prepared for attorneys who represent media libel defendants exclusively. The format facilitates the most frank and useful discussion possible among panelists and participants. This year’s conference will begin with two International Media Law Sessions and include several "breakout sessions" focusing on major issues in defamation prevention and defense. In addition, the conference will feature a mock jury trial demonstration presented by a professional jury trial consulting firm. Attendees will be given an opportunity to evaluate the trial segments.

OUTSTANDING SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS
Attendees have rated the Libel Conference speakers and panelists as excellent, informative and captivating. The 2002 conference will be no exception. Panelists include expert attorneys who have defended important libel cases around the country and judges who have tried libel cases. Cases involving print and broadcast media; public and private plaintiffs; and libel, privacy and related claims all are explored. Speakers also include individuals who have been the subject of extensive media coverage, both positive and negative; leading libel, privacy and First Amendment scholars; and experienced broadcast and print journalists and editors.

PRE-CONFERENCE PLANNING AND PROJECTS
LDRC’s Defense Counsel Section has played a major role in planning the conference program. The Defense Counsel Section members, who include most of the leading media defense law firms in the country, have provided invaluable assistance in defining a program of greatest benefit to media defense practitioners.

REGISTRATION
First priority in conference registration will be given to LDRC-supporting organizations, members of LDRC's Defense Counsel Section and defense counsel representing NAA or NAB members.

The EARLY registration fee is $645. After August 14, 2002, the registration fee will be $695. This fee includes admittance to all sessions, meals and all written materials. Cancellations made on or before August 13, 2002 will be accepted; however, a $200 fee may be assessed to cover costs incurred by the conference sponsors. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after August 14, 2002. However, substitutions will be accepted without penalty.

Please send your completed registration form with payment to: Accounts Receivable Department, Newspaper Association of America, 1921 Gallows Road, Suite 600, Vienna, VA 22182-3900. Any questions concerning substantive topics at the conference should be addressed to Daniel Waggoner by phone (206) 628-7789 or email danwaggoner@dwt.com or Peter Canfield by phone (770) 901-8857 or email pcanfield@dlalaw.com. For questions related only to conference registration, call NAA's Registrar at (703) 902-1764.

Back to top

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Please note that hotel reservations are not included in the conference registration fee, and must be made directly with the host hotel.

Reservations should be made directly with the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, located at 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22311, by calling (703) 845-1010. When calling, be sure to reference the Libel Conference in order to receive the discounted room rate of $145 per night, single or double occupancy. A first-night’s deposit, payable by check or credit card, will be necessary to confirm your reservation. The hotel will send written confirmation of all reservations.

Reservations must be made by September 4, 2002, in order to be guaranteed a room at the conference rates.

The discounted rates mentioned shall apply three days prior to and three days after the conference, based on availability.

The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center will provide parking for attendees and guests at a cost of $5 per day, with in-out privileges.

AIRLINES
Conference attendees may take advantage of special discounts offered by United Airlines and Delta Air Lines: 5 percent off ANY published promotional round-trip fare or 10 percent off ANY unrestricted round-trip coach fare with seven-day advance reservations and ticketing. An additional 5 percent discount will be given for reservations ticketed at least 60 days in advance.

For reservations and information call:

United Airlines
(800) 521-4041 between 7 a.m. and midnight (Eastern time) daily and refer to Meeting ID Code: 590VC.

Delta Air Lines
(800) 241-6760 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. (Eastern time) daily. Please refer to NAA Delta File Number: 182235A.

AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
The hotel is located approximately 8 miles (15 minutes) from Ronald Reagan National Airport. The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center offers a complimentary shuttle to and from National Airport. Follow the "hotel transportation" placards from the airport’s baggage pick-up area to locate the hotel’s van. Check with the hotel’s bellstand upon arrival for information regarding return transportation to the airport. One-way taxi fare will cost approximately $15. Washington Dulles International Airport is located approximately 32 miles (35 minutes) from the hotel. one-way taxi fare will cost approximately $40-45.

CAR RENTALS
Conference attendees may obtain reduced rates on car rentals from Hertz Car Rental while in the Washington metropolitan area for the conference by calling (800) 654-2240 (in Canada, call 800-263-0600). Refer to CV ID number 022Q0655. The Hertz Meeting Sales Desk is operational 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

A Hertz service desk is located in Dulles and National airports.

CLE CREDIT
Conference sponsors are unable to make advance arrangements with every state CLE agency. However, we have applied for CLE approval from the State of New York. It will be the responsibility of attendees seeking CLE credit to provide the co-sponsors with the appropriate forms from their local CLE agencies for completion. As an alternative, conference co-sponsors will provide, upon request, letters to attendees certifying their attendance at the conference. Attendees should include these letters with their CLE credit application materials to their local agencies.