SPJ 2017 Western Regional Conference: Full Schedule

1:00pm PDT

Registration

Friday April 28, 2017 1:00pm - 6:30pm PDT
Hotel Lobby

3:00pm PDT

Preconference Workshop: Google Tools Training

Learn about all of the free Google tools that can help your newsroom build interactive charts, maps, visualizations and more.

Tools we’ll cover: Google Trends, Fusion Tables, MyMaps, Earth, Google Translate, Google Image Search/verification, Streetview, Cardboard and Cardboard Camera, mobile apps, Public Data Explorer and scraping data with Google Sheets.

Speakers

Mike Reilley

SPJ/Google News Lab Trainer

Mike does trainings for a program with SPJ and Google News Lab. This page features all of Mike's materials for in-person trainings and webinars, links to the official Google News Lab site resources, how to book a training and more. A former LA Times reporter and copy editor, Mike... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2017 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Harborview Room

Google Tools Training

5:00pm PDT

SPJ Chapter Leaders Meeting

Here is the tentative agenda for the meeting:

Introduction
Update on the national SPJ Board’s potential reduction and its April 21-22 spring meeting
Preview of EIJ17 in Anaheim on Sept. 7-9 and the conference election for Region 11 director
Discussion on how best to get news about Region 11 – Email? Blog? Social media?
Concerns or issues – Nationally? Regionally? Locally?
Program ideas – what’s worked/drawn crowds for your chapters?
Other business
Adjournment

Speakers

Matthew Hall

Editorial and Opinion Director, San Diego Union-Tribune

Matthew T. Hall is the editorial and opinion director at The San Diego Union-Tribune, where he's worked since 2001. He manages the Ideas and Opinion section, writing and editing editorials, and overseeing op-ed commentary, letters to the editor and a broader exchange of ideas around... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2017 5:00pm - 5:30pm PDT
Pool Bar Area

6:00pm PDT

Reception & Silent Auction

Come meet your fellow attendees and take in views of San Diego Bay. Appetizers will be provided.

Bring your checkbook or credit card to bid on these GREAT offerings:

Coffee with San Diego Union-Tribune publisher and editor Jeff Light
Donated by: The San Diego Union-Tribune
Estimated value: priceless

“Journalist on vacation” signed and framed original cartoon by San Diego Union-Tribune editorial cartoonist Steve Breen
Donated by: Steve Breen
Estimated value: priceless

Coffee with KPBS Director of News and Editorial Strategy Suzanne Marmion
Donated by: KPBS San Diego
Estimated value: priceless

Legoland gift basket, includes a 4-pack of Legoland park tickets
Donated by: Legoland California
Estimated value: $500

KPBS gift basket, includes tour of KPBS studio with General Manager Tom Karlo
Donated by: KPBS San Diego
Estimated value: $150

New Balance shoes
Donated by: New Balance
Estimated value: $150

4 general admission tickets to the San Diego Natural History Museum
Donated by: The San Diego Natural History Museum
Estimated value: $76

1-Hour Massage at Massage Envy
Donated by: Dr. Bey-Ling Sha, SD-SPJ board member
Estimated value: $60

San Diego Beer Basket, including a $25 gift certificate to The Local
Donated by: Andrew Kleske, SD-SPJ board member
Estimated value: $40

Two $20 gift cards to Burger Lounge
Donated by: Burger Lounge
Estimated value: $40

Digital subscription to the AP Stylebook Online
Donated by: The Associated Press
Estimated value: $26

2 tickets to Point Loma Nazarene University’s Writer’s Symposium by the Sea - February 2018
Donated by: Dr. Dean Nelson, PLNU
Estimated value: $20

These are my Friends on Politics book
Donated by: Billy O’Keefe, National SPJ web administrator
Estimated value: $17

Whisknladle gift card
Donated by: Whisknladle
Estimated value: $50

Soap to Please basket
Donated by: Soap to Please
Estimated value: $50

Craft cocktail basket
Donated by: Cutwater Spirits and Sycamore Den
Estimated value: $60

The Hake gift card
Donated by: The Hake
Estimated value: $100

Tascam DR-22WL portable handheld recorder with Wi-Fi
Donated by: Tascam
Estimated value: $150

**Spouses of conference registrants are welcome to attend the opening night and closing night receptions at no extra charge.**

Friday April 28, 2017 6:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
The Green

Food and Drink

7:30am PDT

Breakfast

Continental breakfast will be provided for all attendees.

Saturday April 29, 2017 7:30am - 8:30am PDT
Concert Lawn

Food and Drink

7:30am PDT

Registration

Saturday April 29, 2017 7:30am - 4:30pm PDT
Concert Lawn

Registration

8:30am PDT

Keynote Speech

We are very excited to have Kelly McEvers as our 2017 Keynote Speaker. She is both a host of NPR's All Things Considered and makes her own podcast, Embedded, so she has a foot in both traditional media and new media worlds. McEvers also has vast experience in international reporting and has a front seat view of the challenges journalists are facing in the current political climate.

Speakers

Kelly McEvers

Co-host of All Things Considered, NPR

Kelly McEvers is co-host of All Things Considered, NPR's award-winning afternoon newsmagazine, and the podcast Embedded. McEvers was previously a national correspondent based at NPR West. Prior to that, McEvers ran NPR's Beirut bureau, where she earned a George Foster Peabody award... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
Marina Ballroom

Keynote Speech

9:45am PDT

Engagement Explained: Reading the Comments, Feeding the Trolls and Gaining Respect

From Twitter eggs to our most engaged readers, listeners and viewers, journalists hear from their critics at all hours of the day now. These veteran panelists will explain how, when and why to respond to critics — and reveal what you should and shouldn't say to them. They will share funny and scary examples of criticism, offer specific engagement techniques, and discuss ways to maintain your journalistic integrity, professional reputation and personal safety.

Moderators

Bey-Ling Sha

Professor and Director, School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University

Bey-Ling Sha, Ph.D., APR, is professor and director in the School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University. Dr. Sha’s primary research program examines the intersection of identity and public relations. She is the 2016-2018 editor-in-chief of Journal of Public... Read More →

Speakers

Phil Boas

Editor of Editorial Pages, The Arizona Republic

Phil Boas is editor of the editorial pages of The Arizona Republic. As director of the newspaper’s Community Leadership department, he oversees the editorial board and manages the institutional voice of the newspaper. Before that, he was editor of The Republic’s Sunday Viewpoints... Read More →

Matthew Hall

Editorial and Opinion Director, San Diego Union-Tribune

Scott Lewis

Editor in Chief and CEO, Voice of San Diego

Scott Lewis is the editor in chief and CEO of the Voice of San Diego. He oversees all operations and has created partnerships and products that have earned the pioneering nonprofit news organization national and international recognition. Scott is a regular on local television and... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Pacific Room

Building an Audience

9:45am PDT

All Things Podcasting

Journalists are increasingly turning to podcasts to engage their audiences with innovative forms of storytelling. Learn from our panel how bring your podcast to life. Learn how to use technical know-how, creative writing skills and how good journalistic practices to create a successful podcast.

Moderators

Andrew Keatts

Investigative Reporter and Assistant Editor, Voice of San Diego

Andrew Keatts is an investigative reporter and assistant editor at Voice of San Diego. He's also co-host of the Voice of San Diego Podcast, a weekly show featuring interviews with the region's most interesting people and commentary on local public affairs.

Speakers

Beth Accomando

Arts & Culture Reporter, KPBS

Beth Accomando covers arts and culture around San Diego for KPBS News. Beth studied film at UCSD and had her student film Writer’s Notebook screened as part of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s "Forty-Two Emerging Artists" showcase in 1981. She has edited the sequels to "The Attack... Read More →

Nick McCann

Founder and Host, The Kept Faith

Nicholas McCann is the founder of the San Diego sports website thekeptfaith.com and host of the The Kept Faith’s podcast, which is a part of the Voice of San Diego Podcast Network. For over four years his podcast has covered the Padres, Chargers, Aztecs and Gulls from a local sports fan perspective, while interviewing city government officials, local medi... Read More →

Kinsee Morlan

Engagement Editor, Podcast Producer, Voice of San Diego

Kinsee Morlan is the engagement editor and author of the Culture Report for the Voice of San Diego. She's also the producer and host of VOSD's Culturecast, a new podcast about arts and culture in the San Diego region. Morlan is an award-winning journalist who's been covering arts... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Point Loma Room

Future of Journalism

9:45am PDT

How to Background People: Find Records, Social Media, Friends and Acquaintances

Learn reporting skills and investigative techniques that will help you on daily deadlines and long-term projects. Topics include how to find court cases and other legal documents, how to use social media as a reporting tool, and how to develop a profile of someone _ even when they don’t cooperate.

Moderators

JW August

Investigative Producer, NBC San Diego

J.W. August’s 36-year journalism career has included stints as a stringer for wire services, as a reporter for community newspapers, as an assignment editor, producer and managing editor in broadcasting. Among his honors, the National Society of Professional Journalists awarded... Read More →

Speakers

Kristina Davis

Courts and Criminal Justice Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune

Kristina Davis reports on federal courts and federal law enforcement for The San Diego Union-Tribune. She graduated from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and started her career in Phoenix at The Arizona Republic and East Valley Tribune before joining... Read More →

Caitlin Rother

Author

New York Times. bestselling author Caitlin Rother has written or co-authored 12 books and several Kindle ebooks. As a Pulitzer-nominated investigative journalist, Rother worked nearly 20 years for daily newspapers. She now writes books full-time, appearing regularly on TV and radio... Read More →

Joseph Travers

Private Investigator, The People's Detective

Joseph Anthony Travers, CPI, CCDI holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, and has been advanced to candidate for a Master’s of Science Degree with High Honors (4.0 GPA) from the California State University at Long Beach Graduate School of Criminal Justice... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Sunset Room

Tools and Training

11:00am PDT

Political Coverage in a Trump Presidency

Political coverage has entered an arena like none of us have ever seen before. How do you stay on top of the constant flood of headlines while also remaining focused on the deeper stories? How do you cover an administration that has restricted access and declares negative reports "fake news"? Learn from three seasoned political reporters about how to do what seems like an impossible job.

Moderators

Joe Guerin

News Editor, KPBS

As KPBS News Editor, Joe Guerin sorts through the daily news agenda to bring the most relevant news to the KPBS audience. He helps reporters develop stories and features for TV, radio and the web. Before joining KPBS, Joe served for eight years as editor of the San Diego Daily Transcript... Read More →

Speakers

Brooke Binkowski

Managing Editor, Snopes.com

Brooke Binkowski is an award-winning journalist and researcher. She has written and produced for CNN, CBS, NPR, the Globe and Mail, AJ+, the Christian Science Monitor, and various other outlets. Brooke speaks two languages well and five languages very badly. She loves to travel, run... Read More →

Jean Guerrero

Fronteras Reporter, KPBS

Jean Guerrero is the Fronteras reporter at KPBS. She is the recipient of the PEN/FUSION Emerging Writers Prize and the author of the upcoming memoir, "Crux," with Random House's One World. She started her career at the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires in Mexico City... Read More →

Michael Smolens

Government and Politics Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune

Michael Smolens has been government and politics editor at the U-T since 1992. During that time he has overseen local, state and national political news. As a reporter, he covered politics at all levels, San Diego City Hall and did a four-year stint in the news organization’s Sacramento... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Pacific Room

Building an Audience

11:00am PDT

Innovative Storytelling

Deciding how to tell a story is suddenly a lot more complicated than it ever was. What's the right mix of words, photos, video, graphics and sound for each story? Would a certain story benefit from an unconventional approach? What are your options? These innovative storytellers are here to share their tricks and techniques and show you how to get a lot more creative with your stories, even when you're pressed for time.

Moderators

Kelly Davis

Independent investigative journalist

Kelly is a freelance journalist based in San Diego who focuses on issues related to adult and juvenile incarceration, mental illness and homelessness. Her work has included investigations into the high rate of deaths in San Diego County jails and conditions at county juvenile detention... Read More →

Speakers

Annie Heilbrunn

Multimedia Journalist, San Diego Union-Tribune

Annie Heilbrunn is a multimedia journalist for The San Diego Union-Tribune. She began her career as a print news reporter with the U-T before accepting a multimedia fellowship position (Jacobs Project for Reporting Excellence), where she learned digital and broadcast skills. She then... Read More →

Justin Hudnall

Founder and Executive Director, So Say We All

Justin Hudnall received his BFA in dramatic writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He serves as the founder and Executive Director of So Say We All, a San Diego-based literary arts and education non-profit organization. He produces and hosts the public radio... Read More →

Joe Little

Multimedia Journalist, 10News San Diego

Emmy Award-winning Joe Little is an MMJ with 10News, KGTV, the ABC affiliate in San Diego, CA. He’s a proud Multimedia Journalist and travels the country with his Garden Gnome teaching professionals and students his MMJ strategy and how to maximize their time “on camera.” Joe's... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Point Loma Room

Future of Journalism

11:00am PDT

How to Bulletproof Your Work

When you know you have a good story and someone is going to be upset about it, you need to be sure your story is legally bulletproof. Find out how to check and document every actionable element of your story. Learn when and how to interact with lawyers to make sure you’re in the strongest position possible in case of a legal action.

Moderators

Claire Trageser

Multimedia Enterprise Reporter, KPBS

Claire Trageser is the president of SPJ San Diego and a multimedia reporter for KPBS. She writes and produces in depth coverage for radio, television and the web and covers a variety of topics, including politics, the environment and education. Claire was part of the team that covered... Read More →

Speakers

Guylyn Cummins

Attorney, Sheppard Mullin

Guylyn Cummins is a special counsel in the Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group in the firm's San Diego office, and is a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law. Ms. Cummins has spent her entire career working in media and entertainment law. A seasoned litigator... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Sunset Room

Tools and Training

12:00pm PDT

Awards Luncheon with Keynote (NOTE: Tickets Sold Separately)

Join the 2017 Mark of Excellence award winners for a luncheon and ceremony honoring these outstanding student journalists.

We are also excited to have Brooke Binkowski as our luncheon keynote speaker. Binkowski is the managing editor of the fact-checking website Snopes.com and will share her perspective on the current media climate and what student journalists should focus on in the future.

PLEASE NOTE: Conference registration does not include this luncheon. If you would like to buy a ticket to the luncheon, you can do so here:

Speakers

Brooke Binkowski

Managing Editor, Snopes.com

Saturday April 29, 2017 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Harborview Room

Food and Drink

2:15pm PDT

Covering Crime and Courts in Volatile Times

The criminal justice beat comes with new challenges with the advent of rapid-fire social media commentary, live video feeds and increasing tension between police and the communities they serve - and sometimes, the media. Our panel will tackle all of the above and how to excel in a rapidly changing media environment.

Moderators

Dana Littlefield

Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune

Dana Littlefield covers legal affairs in San Diego County, with a primary focus on the Superior Courts. After joining the San Diego Union-Tribune in 2000, she covered coastal cities – including Del Mar, Encinitas and Solana Beach – before moving to the courts beat in 2003. Littlefield... Read More →

Speakers

Cindy Chang

Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times

Cindy Chang covers the Los Angeles Police Department for the Los Angeles Times. She came to The Times in 2012, first covering immigration and ethnic communities before moving to the L.A. County sheriff’s beat. Previously, she was at the New Orleans Times-Picayune, where she was... Read More →

Lindsey Collom

Breaking News Editor, The Arizona Republic

Lindsey Collom is breaking news editor at The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, the most-viewed news site in Arizona. During her 16 years at Republic Media, she has reported on federal agencies, public safety and county government. Her latest role is coaching and developing a team of public safety reporters and breaking news interns, the latter group as editor-in... Read More →

Lyndsay Winkley

Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune

Lyndsay Winkley joined the San Diego Union-Tribune in July 2012 and covers crime and public safety news. She previously covered Del Mar and the fairgrounds as well as other North County news. She has received a number of awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Pacific Room

Building an Audience

2:15pm PDT

How to Cover Communities You're Not Part Of

Journalists have a responsibility to tell others stories with respect, authenticity and nuance. But what if you’re assigned to cover a community you’re unfamiliar with? Our panel will offer tips on how to cover diverse communities and how to navigate questions that might come up along the way.

Moderators

Claire Trageser

Multimedia Enterprise Reporter, KPBS

Speakers

Tarryn Mento

Speak City Heights Reporter, KPBS

Prior to serving as the Speak City Heights reporter, Tarryn was the multimedia producer for MetroFocus at WNET in New York City. She was also the web producer and metro reporter for KPBS and a Pulliam Fellow at the Arizona Republic.She completed her master's degree at the Walter Cronkite... Read More →

Rina Palta

Correspondent, KPCC Public Radio

Rina Palta is a correspondent for KPCC Public Radio, based in Pasadena, CA, covering the social safety net. Her recent reporting has focused on homeless families and children. A recent investigative project looked at the deaths of homeless infants in L.A. and the decline of programs... Read More →

Ann Simmons

Global Development Writer/Editor, Los Angeles Times

Ann M. Simmons is an award-winning journalist with almost three decades of experience reporting news across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America. In her current role as a global development writer/editor on the foreign desk of the Los Angeles Times, she covers global... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Point Loma Room

Future of Journalism

2:15pm PDT

Digital Tools and Innovation

Digital journalism engages and empowers more readers every day thanks to ever-evolving types of technology and everyone's growing addiction to social media and multimedia storytelling. These digital pioneers will help you stay on top of current trends, separate the facts from the internet's false information with the latest verification tools, improve your own storytelling in innovative ways and reach a wider audience.

Moderators

Matthew Hall

Editorial and Opinion Director, San Diego Union-Tribune

Speakers

P. Kim Bui

Director of Audience Innovation, The Arizona Republic

Victor Hernandez

Director of Media Innovation, Banjo

A recent profile piece on him began with the following statement, 'With what he’s wearing, Victor Hernandez seems to be part human and part robot.' And while any human-cyborg rumors can neither be confirmed or denied, Hernandez has developed a reputation for infusing traditional journalism leadership... Read More →

Robert Hernandez

Associate Professor of Professional Practice, USC Annenberg

Robert Hernandez, aka WebJournalist, has made a name for himself as a journalist of the Web, not just on the Web. His primary focus is exploring and developing the intersection of technology and journalism – to empower people, inform reporting and storytelling, engage community... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Sunset Room

Tools and Training

3:30pm PDT

Breaking Through the Noise of Fake News and anti-media Rhetoric

With the public's trust in media extremely low and the national rhetoric from top politicians piling on, it is not the easiest time to be a journalist. The best part is you're not alone. Learn about what SPJ and other journalism and free press organizations are doing to protect the First Amendment and educate the public. SPJ National President Lynn Walsh will also provide tips on how to break through the noise of fake news and alternative facts and continue to connect with your viewers, readers, listeners and users.

Moderators

Claire Trageser

Multimedia Enterprise Reporter, KPBS

Speakers

Lynn Walsh

Investigative Executive Producer, NBC San Diego

Lynn Walsh is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been working in investigative journalism at the national level as well as locally in California, Ohio, Texas and Florida. Currently, she leads the KNSD investigative team at the NBC TV station in San Diego, California, where she... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2017 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Marina Ballroom

Future of Journalism

4:30pm PDT

Reception

Toast the end of the conference and say goodbye to the attendees and speakers you've met. Appetizers will be provided.

Saturday April 29, 2017 4:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Pool Bar Area

Food and Drink