We’re switching it up

You’ve told us what you want to get out of our fall conferences, so this year, KSPA is focusing on student skills, making sure your students know “how-to” start their publication year. We’re presenting fall conferences at universities across Kansas this September and October that will include skill sessions throughout the day tailored to your specific interests — from writing to photography to design and more.

We invite you to join schools from all over the state right at a university near you. Prepare your staff to meet their goals this year, whether it be a redesigned newspaper, a new website or an ambitious yearbook.

The one-day conferences offer your staff these opportunities:

  • A welcome by executive director Eric Thomas along with sweepstakes awards from 2019 State contest
  • On-Site critiques for your publications: web, yearbook and newspaper
  • Breakout sessions from professors, professionals and expert advisers on dozens of topics: photography, yearbook, newspaper, online, broadcast, design and more
  • Chances to tour state-of-the-art college media facilities
  • A day of bonding with your fellow staff members and adviser

When & Where?

  • Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Wichita State University (Wichita, Kansas)
  • Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Fort Hays State University (Hays, Kansas)
  • Thursday, Sept. 26 at the University of Kansas (Lawrence, Kansas)
  • Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kansas)

All-Star Advisers

Come hear from the best advisers in the nation: Kansas advisers! Who better could we recruit to teach your students the Tricks of the Trade that they need to improve their publication?

University faculty

We anticipate having faculty from many of our great schools within the state including The University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University and Fort Hays State University. Learn from experts at the next level as they talk about their areas of expertise.

On-site critiques

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On-site critiques have been one of the most popular features of the fall conferences in previous years. Sitting down with an expert publication adviser to review your work can lead to new insights and clearer goals for the upcoming year. We will have tables ready for your staff to meet and review your yearbook, newspaper, magazine, website or broadcast program. Come armed with questions to make the most of your 25-minute session. All of this for only $10! Sign up when you register for the conference.

Schedule

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Want to know where to be and when to be there? This schedule will help answer many of your questions about logistics.

Basic schedule for all locations

  • 8-8:45 a.m. Registration and pick up of school materials
  • 8:45-9:20 a.m. Welcome from host school, opening comments and sweepstakes awards from 2019 State Contest

Break-out Sessions

  • 9:30-10:20 a.m. Break-out session #1
  • 10:30-11:20 a.m. Break-out session #2
  • 11:30-12:20 p.m. Break-out session #3
  • 12:30-1:20 p.m. Break-out session #4 (not offered at the Hays Conference to allow travel time home)

Costs & deadlines

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NOTE: You must be a KSPA member to attend the Fall Conferences. Non-members will not be allowed to register.

10 DAYS BEFORE EACH CONFERENCE: Deadline for REGULAR Fall Conference registration

  • $15 for each member adviser or student
  • $10 for each publication critique

5 DAYS BEFORE EACH CONFERENCE: Deadline for LATE Fall Conference registration

  • $18 for each member adviser or student

Can you present or provide critiques?

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We need you and your talents to make these conferences as excellent as possible! Whether you are a new adviser or a veteran, a professional or an academic, the students of Kansas want to hear from you.

One of our most popular programs at the conference — year after year — is giving students the opportunity to sit down with an adviser for a 20-minute critique. We need advisers willing to critique yearbooks, newspapers, magazines, online and broadcast.

KSPA is also recruiting speakers for our four fall conferences in September. We would love to have your suggestions of teachers, professors, media professionals and journalists. Perhaps you even know a student or group of students — from high school or college — who have an interesting message for a presentation. We are excited to hear your ideas. Or, you can simply fill out the form at the link below.

ADVISERS: you get your registration fee waived by presenting a session or critiquing two publications!

Please chip in by volunteering to present a 50-minute session at the fall conference. Or, perhaps you could provide a 25-minute critique of a student publication from one of our member schools.

Speak or critique . . .

Help from volunteers like you make the KSPA fall conferences possible. Thanks so much!