Blockbuster convention lineup set this weekend
A blockbuster lineup awaits those who attend the 2023 Kansas Press Association Convention June 9 and 10 at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane.
Kevin Slimp, always a popular presenter at past conventions, and Rob Curley, a Kansas native whose innovative approach has revolutionized news coverage, will headline the list of presenters at this year’s convention.
Click here to download the convention registration form and complete convention schedule. Registration deadline is May 29.
Sponsors of this year’s convention include SCS, eType Services, Kansas Farm Bureau, AARP of Kansas, the Eureka Herald, Midwest Energy, Inc., Kansas Gas Service, the University of Kansas, BOK Financial and the Kansas Newspaper Foundation.
These opening night convention opportunities are available on Friday, June:
• Sign up for a free design consultation with Kevin Slimp from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Teri Finneman of the University of Kansas and Joey Young of Newton Now will give an update on Young’s innovative Press Club operation.
• Trivia night, where you can match wits with your fellow KPA members and friends.
• After party at the Tin Lizard Bar and Grill.
On Saturday, the agenda is jam-packed with opportunities to learn from experts and colleagues.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast, followed by the annual business meeting.
Kevin Slimp kicks off the presentations at 9 a.m. with “Improving the Design of Your Publication.
Attend to get tips on new design styles, creating cleaner pages, how to get the most out of your photographs and how to get rid of outdated fonts.
At 10 a.m., a variety of breakout sessions will be offered, including:
• Earl Watt of the Leader & Times will discuss his fight to keep public notice in his newspaper.
• KPA legal hotline attorney Max Kautsch will discuss Overland Park resident Jon Albers’ death as a case study for access to criminal investigation records.
• Former Garden City editor and publisher Dena Sattler will stress the need for newspaper editors to speak out editorially on community issues.
• Adam Strunk of Newton Now will discuss newsletters as another service to provide readers.
• Jeff Cott of the Derby Informer will discuss the concept of Consultant Selling.
At 11:15 a.m., everyone can participate in a discussion about the U.S. Postal Service, including “what we know, what we don’t and what we can do.”
Lunch will be served at noon, followed by the Montgomery Family Innovation Keynote address by Rob Curley, editor of the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash.
Curley will explain how Spokane’s oldest and largest news source embraced the concept of “the virtuous circle” — showing how a community grows in innumerable ways when it works together for a greater good.
He will make the case that in today’s overly polarized world, simply being nice is often the difference between success and failure.
The second round of breakout sessions will begin at 1:30 p.m.
• Beth Potter will lead a discussion about how to turn reputation into revenue.
• Kevin Slimp will discuss how to improve photo reproduction in your newspaper.
• KU’s Stephen Wolgast will discuss the use of digital analytics to determine your audience.
• Jeff Cott will lead an advertising roundtable.
• Eric Meyer of the Marion County Record will discuss coming back to his hometown newspaper and will offer practical tips on making news and advertising more effective.
Following a break, a third breakout session at 3:15 p.m. will include:
• Joey and Lindsey Young on recruiting community journalists and the on-demand training program, Earn Your Press Pass.
• Dena Sattler will discuss people management.
• Max Kautsch and Eric Weslander will lead a discussion on media law.
• Kevin Slimp will reveal how to make your ads more effective through better design.
The day’s finale will be the Awards of Excellence Celebration and Dinner.