KSPA is coming to you in Lawrence, Hays and Wichita!

The Fall Conferences are a rich KSPA tradition, inspiring student journalists around the state for the beginning of their year on their publication staff or at the start of their journalism classes. The incredible school publications from east to west and from north to south gather at three universities to learn from professionals, university instructors and talented high school teachers. And they walk away with the enthusiasm to accomplish great things as reporters, photographers, designers, videographers and leaders. 

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, broadcast, news magazine and newspaper
  • Three or four blocks of breakout sessions hosted by 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?

  • Monday, Sept. 26 at Fort Hays State University (Hays, Kansas)
  • Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the University of Kansas (Lawrence, Kansas)
  • Monday, Oct. 3 at Wichita State University (Wichita, Kansas)

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, news magazine, website or broadcast program. Come armed with questions to make the most of your 20-minute session. All of this for only $15! 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 a.m. Welcome from host school & opening comments
  • 9-9:40 a.m. Keynote Speaker
  • 9:40-9:50 a.m. Sweepstakes awards from 2022 State Contest

Break-out Sessions

  • 9:55-10:40 a.m. Break-out session #1
  • 10:50-11:35 a.m. Break-out session #2
  • 11:45-12:30 p.m. Break-out session #3
  • 12:40-1:25 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.

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

  • $15 for each member adviser or student
  • $15 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.

VOLUNTEER TO SPEAK OR CRITIQUE HERE

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. So, we also need volunteers to critique yearbooks, newspapers, news magazines, websites and broadcasts.

KSPA is also recruiting speakers for our three fall conference hosts. 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 you can have it waived by critiquing two publications!

Please chip in by volunteering to present a 50-minute session at the fall conference. Or, perhaps you could provide a 20-minute critique of a student publication from one of our member schools.

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