Last year, my 12-year-old had to choose between going to a Redskins game or playing in a community all-star soccer tournament, both of which were scheduled for Sunday afternoon. He labored over the decision for some time, at one point lamenting, "Why can't they hold the tournament on Saturday so I can do both?"
Choices---even good ones---can be frustrating. In this time of cost-consciousness, newspaper staffs also have to make tough decisions when it comes to conferences. There are lots of good ones, but we can't afford them all.
Next year, NAA will make those decisions a little easier. For the first time, we will combine our traditional pre-press, press and post-press conferences into one action-packed week. Newspaper operations professionals will be able to attend one, two, or all three of these programs in the same place, at the same time---Miami Beach next March.
There's more to the first Newspaper Operations SuperConference than convenient timing, though. One of the Association's most important functions is to provide the industry with a forum to learn about the latest technology and management techniques to operate newspapers more efficiently and effectively. The NAA Technology Department, along with its supporting member committees, has been working hard to offer programs that have high value and that address the right issues.
Beginning March 3, each program segment---pre-press, press, and post-press--- will run a day and half throughout the week. Each will be preceded by special primers on key issues. Each will feature demonstrations of next-generation technologies. Each will offer frank roundtable discussions with the most important equipment suppliers. And, of course, each will provide a full plate of presentations on the relevant topics of the day.
We're excited about the SuperConference not only because it will be more convenient and more economical for you to attend, but also because the program will give you the right information to deal with the right challenges at the right time. Watch your mail for further information and registration materials, or call Jeanette McGuire at (703) 648-1223 for more details.
In the meantime, if you have a 1996 calendar, mark it now: Pre-press, March 3-5; Press, March 5-6; Post-Press, March 6-8; at the Doral Ocean Beach Hotel, Miami Beach.
And don't forget these other important upcoming conferences:
By the way, my son chose the soccer game. We won, 5-0. The Redskins lost big time. Good choice.
Eric Wolferman
NAA Senior Vice President of Technology
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