UPDATE: Registration is now closed. We can’t wait to see over 580 of you in Lawrence on Oct. 2!
The 2024 Fall Conference at the University of Kansas will be filled with amazing speakers, sessions and bonding for member KSPA schools. We are excited to offer a variety of speakers and sessions as part of three different regional events happening during September and October. Welcome to the University of Kansas and enjoy your day in Lawrence!
Check out what’s in store for you at the fall conference!
Check in on the 5th floor lobby of the Kansas Union when you arrive. Grab a donut and juice on the 4th floor of the Union on your way to say hi.
Members of the KSPA board of directors and KU J-School Dean Ann Brill will welcome everyone and give you more details about the day. We’ll give out some awards from 2023-2024 and get ready for a day of learning.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS AND SPEAKERS!
Full list of speakers and session will be posted by Sept. 6. Check back for details.
Heather Hollingsworth, AP reporter
Heather Lawrenz, KU School of Journalism
BriAnne Chayer, Paola High School
Lisa McClendon, KU School of Journalism
Amy Morgan, Shawnee Mission West High School
Kathy Habiger, Mill Valley High School
Hyunjin Seo & Tamar Wilner, KU School of Journalism
Eric Thomas, KU School of Journalism
Tucker Love, Shawnee Mission South High School
Heather Springer, Olathe South High School
Stephen Wolgast, KU School of Journalism
Kristy Dekat, Gardner-Edgerton High School
Brendan Praeger, Wabaunsee High School
Barb Tholen, Lawrence High School
Maya Smith, former SJOY, KU journalism student
Cuyler Dunn, former SJOY, KU journalism student
Chris Heady, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Whitney Baker, Jostens Yearbooks
Julia Walker, Julia Walker Creative
Genelle Belmas, KU School of Journalism
Rylee Hackmann, Basehor-Linwood High School
Jim McCrossen, Blue Valley Northwest High School
Michelle Huss, Blue Valley High School
Rachel Chushuk, Blue Valley Southwest High School
Alex Treaster, KU School of Journalism
Sarah Cavanah, KU School of Journalism
Clay Wirestone, Kansas Reflector
Carol Holstead, KU School of Journalism
Tours of the William Allen White School of Journalism
The event is in the Kansas Union, 1301 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045. Most meeting rooms, including the registration and the opening session, can be found on the fifth floor.
Busses should drop off students at the Union and can park for free in Lot 300 by the Lied Center. Click here for a link to the campus parking map.
If you need to park a school van or vehicle, park in the Mississippi Street lot which connects to the Union. You can pay for parking in advance with a credit card using a link provided by KSPA OR be prepared to pay for your parking in the garage kiosk with a credit card. Once registration closes, KSPA will email all registered schools with parking information and payment link for those who need it.
There is no break in the day for lunch. Once the last session concludes, schools are free to dine wherever they choose. If schools are interested in grabbing lunch at the Union after the conference is over, you can eat at “The Market,” a food court on the third floor. The third floor also includes Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s. If students need a small snack or drink, there is a convenience store on the fourth floor near the main entrance.
NOTE: THE UNION ONLY ACCEPTS DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS. NO CASH ACCEPTED.
For a map of the union, click here.
Below are the schools that are registered to attend this conference:
| Basehor-Linwood High School |
| Bishop Miege High School |
| Blue Valley High School |
| Blue Valley North High School |
| Blue Valley Northwest H. S. |
| Blue Valley Southwest High School |
| Blue Valley West |
| De Soto High School |
| Eudora High School |
| Gardner Edgerton |
| Gardner Edgerton High School |
| Hiawatha High School |
| Hillsboro High School |
| Humboldt High School |
| Iola High School USD 257 |
| Lawrence Free State High School |
| Mill Valley High School |
| Neodesha High School |
| Olathe |
| Olathe East High School |
| Olathe West High School |
| Olathe West High School |
| Paola High School |
| Pittsburg High School |
| Shawnee Mission North High School |
| Shawnee Mission Northwest High School |
| Shawnee Mission South High School |
| Shawnee Mission West |
| Silver Lake High School |
| Tonganoxie High School |
| Wabaunsee High School |
