For 25 years, the Online News Association has focused on developing the newsroom leaders and innovators of the future. Our annual conference continues to be a leading destination connecting the industry’s most creative minds and providing the resources to understand the latest trends and embrace change.
We’ve seen the positive ripple effects of bringing our community together to learn about and collaborate on industry-shifting ideas in leadership and emerging technology. To make this experience possible for as many people as possible, we are lowering registration fees for ONA24 to gather our community in Atlanta, Sept. 18-21.
Here’s a detailed look at what’s new for ONA24.
Streamlined, lower rates for registration
Current financial and economic realities mean that at a time when journalists and newsroom leaders most need the training and connections the ONA conference offers, the costs of getting there are putting these resources out of reach.
That’s why we’re making ONA24 passes more affordable and applying the same fee for everyone, no matter the size of your organization.
ONA members help sustain our work year-round and enjoy discounted access to trainings and events, including the annual conference:
- Early Bird (March 21–June 13): $350
- Getting Closer (June 14–Aug. 1): $460
- Almost There (Aug. 2–Sept. 21: $570
- Student Members (March 21–Sept. 21): $150
Day passes are available for $175 for people who want to join a specific workshop or otherwise can only attend for a day.
ONA24 passes are $650 for non-members. Student non-members can register at the lower rate of $175.
Early Bird registration opens March 21. Learn more about conference passes and group registration.
Refreshing the program for an entirely in-person experience
Conference feedback from the past few years overwhelmingly echoed that what our community finds most valuable is the opportunity to connect with peers face-to-face. As always, we are listening and adapting. Our approach to ONA24 is to focus our resources to help get more people to Atlanta, bring the most sought-after content forward and deliver the high-quality, in-person experience you expect from ONA.
We’re designing a schedule with strong emphasis on practical training, more ways to build meaningful connections and expanded opportunities for professional development. ONA24 programming is primarily focused in two areas:
- Journalism and emerging technology, including AI
- Leadership, career development and culture
Additional experiences at the conference may focus on audience development, revenue strategy and news product development.
- Day 1 (Wednesday): Specialized summits and RSVP-only workshop opportunities will begin the day. Next, say hello to your fellow attendees with an optional orientation for conference first-timers and casual, open meet-and-greets by topic for everyone. Then, everyone will gather together as the conference officially kicks off with welcome remarks from ONA CEO LaSharah S. Bunting and Board President Charo Henríquez, immediately followed by the opening featured session. We will transition from there to end the day with some fun, light snacks and refreshments at the Welcome Reception.
- Days 2–3 (Thursday and Friday): Choose your own adventure through interactive learning sessions, small-group career advice discussions, and minimally-structured, topic-based meetups to help you find your people and explore new ideas.
- Day 4 (Saturday): Sign up in advance for half-day or full-day workshops and events.
Have an idea for a session or meetup topic? The Suggestion Box process begins in late March. Subscribe to ONA24 News for regular updates about the program and conference opportunities, including additional information about the RSVP process for Wednesday and Saturday workshops and other events.
We recommend adding registration@journalists.org and newsletter@journalists.org to your contacts to make sure you receive updates.
ONA24 will also offer a variety of sponsored programming and networking opportunities throughout the event. If you are looking for ways to connect with the ONA community and expose them to your brand while also supporting our mission to advance journalism, learn more about ONA24 sponsorship and support opportunities.
Showcase of lessons from award-winning projects
Each year the OJAs surface the best work and most inspiring innovations by individuals and teams around the world. We have been identifying and honoring journalism excellence for 25 years, but most people don’t get to look behind the scenes and understand how great work comes together. We all see the packaged work and rarely get the opportunity to truly learn from it.
We are excited to host learning sessions throughout the conference week for 2024 Online Journalism Awards (OJAs) winners to share the lessons and best practices that helped elevate their projects to award-winning status.
The call for submissions for the 2024 Online Journalism Awards will be open April 4 – May 9. Check out a few stories from recent winners and all the 2023 honorees.
Beyond the conference
ONA offers programming all year to learn with like-minded peers, collaborate on pressing questions and form deeper connections.