Photo by Randy Stewart

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Online News Association, the world’s largest membership organization of digital journalists, announces that Nate Silver, best-selling author and expert data forecaster at FiveThirtyEight.com, will keynote at its 2013 conference in Atlanta.

Silver will be featured at the Online News Association Conference and Awards Banquet Friday, Oct. 18, in a conversation exploring data journalism.

With three full days of workshops, discussions, creative presentations and more expected at ONA13, we want to collect as many ideas as possible and know more about what you’d like to see and talk about when you come to Atlanta this October.

To give you more time to weigh in on the conference design, we’ve extended the deadline for the ONA13 Suggestion Box for one full week! You now have until May 8 at 11:59 p.m. E.T. to tell us what you can teach digital journalists.

Help us disrupt newsrooms around the world and train a modern workforce of journalists. You can check out all the great ideas
submitted so far at the ONA13 Suggestion Box.

We are especially interested in ideas aimed at beginners and intermediate level training.

Have an idea for the conference, but don’t want to present? We want to hear that, too. Submit today!

Don’t forget, registration for ONA13 is now open. Register now and get the discounted early-bird rate.

Be an early bird and save

Registration is officially open for the 2013 Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet, Oct. 17-19, in Atlanta. Pro tip: The earlier you register, the lower your fee.

New this year: One price gets you into any and all conference sessions, the Midway, exhibits and the Job Fair! Pick and choose from our extended (three-day) program.

Starting today, members and non-members will have two months to sign up for the conference at the early-bird rate. Then the cost goes up incrementally, so avoid the last-minute crunch. As past attendees know, ONA13 passes sell out quickly, so plan to get yours early.

ONA13 General Pass

Registering as a group (10 or more, for a $50 per ticket discount)? Contact support@journalists.org for assistance.

The ONA13 Volunteer Committee is looking for volunteers to work before, during (and a little bit after) the 2013 Online News Association Conference in Atlanta, Oct. 17-19. Come meet and work alongside the best minds in online journalism, and revel in the satisfaction of pulling off one of the best events in the industry.

Volunteer at ONA13

Qualifications: A nice smile, a love of digital journalism (and journalists) and a firm commitment.

Volunteers will be assigned to work an eight- to 10-hour shift — in return, you’ll get free and guaranteed registration to what has been a sold-out conference six years running. There’s plenty of camaraderie, lots of sugar and caffeine, and reasonable hours that allow you time to network and take advantage of what’s at the conference.

If you’re planning to attend or, even better, are already in the Atlanta area, fill out the ONA13 Volunteer Application and tell us about yourself and the days and times you’re available. If selected, you’ll be assigned a slot or slots based on your availability and skill set.

We’re looking for fresh ideas for this year’s Online News Association Conference, ONA13.

Each year, we bring together journalists, technologists and academics to share the most exciting trends in digital journalism.

This year, we’re looking to pull in more creative ideas, and are especially interested in sessions that don’t fit the traditional panel format (but feel free to submit panel ideas here as well).

What can you teach digital journalists? What have you seen or heard that might inspire us?

Students, want to get your work in front of over 1,400 digital journalism professionals and network with leaders in the industry — not to mention potential employers? Would it seal the deal if it were all free?

It’s not too good to be true. Apply to be one of 20 select students in the ONA13 Student Newsroom, sponsored by Google, at the 2013 Online News Association Conference and Awards Banquet, Oct. 17–19, in Atlanta.

The Student Newsroom, supported for the fourth year by Google, immerses college students in a digital media environment by providing hands-on experience producing content for the ONA13 website before and during the conference, under the personal guidance of professional mentors. Students also have the opportunity to attend ONA13 programming led by experts in digital journalism, network with attendees and acquire and flex new digital media skills. Lodging, travel and registration expenses are covered.

Applications for both students and mentors must be received by May 2 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Learn more about student eligibility and how to apply.

Read about last year’s students and their conference coverage.

Join the ONA13 brainstorm on Branch

What do you want to see at ONA13? We’ll be opening the ONA13 Suggestion Box soon, which will allow anyone to submit a session idea, but before we do, we’d like you to help shape the direction of ONA13.

Join the conversations we’re hosting on Branch now: What do you want to see at ONA13? and What is the most creative learning experience or presentation that you’ve seen lately? Over two dozen journalists have already weighed in.

Deadline Approaching for Data Journalism Awards

Applications are due April 5 for the Data Journalism Awards, administered by the The Global Editor’s Network, and recognizing outstanding work in the field of data journalism worldwide. Eight awards will be given in four categories, with 15,000€ in prize money. Submit your work.

Innovation Uncensored

ONA members, save $50 on registration for Fast Company’s signature Innovation Uncensored event April 23-24 at Terminal 5 in New York City, where you can meet today’s most creative and daring business leaders.

Help us brainstorm for this year’s Online News Association Conference. We’ll be opening the ONA13 Suggestion Box soon, which will allow anyone to submit a session idea, but before we do, we’d like you to help shape the direction of ONA13. Lots of journalists have weighed in on our first ONA13 Branch, “What would you like to see and experience at ONA13?” and this second Branch is a space to capture inspiring conversations, presentations and other experiences that could enrich this year’s conference.

The first step is to ask to join the Branch. We’ll quickly approve you and you can weigh in. Want to see what we focused on last year? Check out the ONA12 site.

Once you’ve joined, be sure to invite others. We want to hear from as many people as possible!

We’re getting excited for this year’s Online News Association Conference and want your help to make it even more interesting and exciting than previous ONA conferences.

We’re going to blow up our traditional model this year, leaving space for lots of innovative programming. We’ll be opening the ONA13 Suggestion Box soon, which will allow anyone to submit a session idea, but before we do, we’d like you to help shape the direction of ONA13.

The first step is to ask to join the Branch. We’ll quickly approve you and you can weigh in. Want to see what we focused on last year? Check out the ONA12 site.

Once you’ve joined, be sure to invite others. We want to hear from as many people as possible!

It’s time to plan your trip to the 2013 Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet, Oct. 17-19, 2013 in Atlanta, where we’re planning to blow up the traditional conference agenda for digital journalism’s biggest reunion.

Expect some surprises and new experiences this year. For the first time, we’re folding in our Thursday hands-on workshops and Job Fair to make three full days of conferencing, so one price will get you into any session or workshops, the Midway, and career development resources. Look for more details on programming when registration opens April 29.

Photo by Brendan Lim via Creative Commons

And then there’s ATL: ONA13 will tap into the history, culture and funk of Atlanta’s diverse neighborhoods. Check out the stylish boutiques and laid-back bars in Virginia-Highland, live jazz in Castleberry Hill, and Little Five Points with its alternative shopping, bars, restaurants and even an Elvis shrine at the Star Community Bar. And don’t miss Cabbagetown, an emerging area which Travel + Leisure magazine featured in “America’s Best Secret Neighborhoods.”

Here’s a guide to who’s running the show, where you can stay and how much you should budget.