Taking your students to a national high school journalism convention can be invaluable to your program. Students and advisers have the opportunity to attend educational sessions on all aspects of high school journalism, meet professional journalists and take part in national competitions. Of course sight-seeing and other side trips can be a lot of fun too.

If you are a new adviser or an experienced adviser considering attending your first convention but are not sure how to start planning a trip, contacting a veteran adviser who regularly attends is a great first step. Contact any member of the OJEA Board and he or she can help set your plans in motion.

The Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association co-sponsors two conventions each year. The fall convention traditionally is held east of the Mississippi and the spring convention is held at a location in the west. Previous western locations include Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, Albequerque and Anaheim.

The 2009 spring national convention will be held in Phoenix. Dates for the convention are April 16-19, 2009. A PDF version of the brochure can be obtained from the JEA site or the NSPA website, just click the link listed above.

Information for the Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Wahington D.C. can be obtained from two sources: the Journalism Education Association website or from the National Scholastic Press Association website. The convention will be held Nov. 12-15, 2009.

Future national conventions are scheduled for:

Spring 2009 - Phoenix
Fall 2009 - Washington D.C.
Spring 2010 - Portland
Fall 2010 - Kansas City
Spring 2011 - Anaheim