Schedule

Excellence in the Rockies 2018 schedule

This schedule will be updated as details are confirmed. Click here for more information on speakers.

Friday April 20:

Raymond Ruiz

1 p.m. in the Adirondacks: Facebook Training by Raymond Ruiz

Does your reporting live on Facebook? The Facebook Journalism Project was created in January 2017 to ensure that quality news thrives on Facebook — none of that fake news stuff. FJP focuses on three pillars: collaborative development of new products; tools and trainings for newsrooms; and tools and trainings for people. In this training, learn about products and tools — including Live, Groups, Creators app and CrowdTangle — that help journalists leverage Facebook and Instagram for news gathering, storytelling and connecting with their followers.

 

Dan Petty

1 p.m. in LoRaine Good: Google Training by Dan Petty

With Google, the world is at your fingertips. Cliche, but true. Find out how to utilize the tool to get the most out of Google products in your reporting. Daniel Petty, Google expert and trainer and Digital First’s Digital Director of Audience Development, will lead an in-depth session on how to find information via Google advanced search, use Google’s Public Data Explorer and track what readers are looking up. During the session, Petty will also touch on incorporating tools such as Google Maps and Google Earth Pro.

Saturday April 21:

9 a.m. in the Adirondacks: Welcome session.

9:15 to 10 a.m. in the Adirondacks: Opening Panel – Reporting on Sexual Harassment

From Hollywood to state legislatures and everywhere in between, the topic of sexual harassment and the #MeToo movement has become a permanent fixture in the newscycle. A panel will speak to building sources, fact-checking and journalism ethics in instances of sexual harassment.

Panelists include Bente Birkeland, Michael de Yoanna, Emily Langenberg and Marianne Goodland.

The panel will be moderated by Corey Hutchins.

 

 

Bente Birkeland

Michael de Yoanna

Emily Langenberg

 

 

Marianne Goodland

Corey Hutchins

10:15 to 11 a.m. in the Senate Chambers: The Political Poll in 2018

In an election year polls can be a reporting necessity. But following the 2016 presidential election many questioned how much reporting should lean on polls. Political reporter veterans and polling experts examine what happened in 2016 and how to avoid the pitfalls of polling this November.

Panelists include Sandra Fish and Courtney Sievers Gibbon.

The panel will be moderated by Fred Brown.

 

 

 

 

 

Courtney Gibbon Siever

Fred Brown

Sandra Fish

10:15 to 11 a.m. in LoRaine Good: So You Want to Start a Podcast

Here’s where you start. Tips and tricks on creating a concept, writing for broadcast and producing a podcast based on original reporting.

Panelists for this session are Nathaniel Minor and Rachel Estabrook.

The panel will be moderated by Kara Mason.

 

 

Rachel Estabrook

Nathaniel Minor

 

11:15 a.m. to noon in the Senate Chambers: Free Tools for Breaking News and Audience Engagement

As social platforms constantly change so does audience engagement, and that means so does getting breaking news to your audience. Social media gurus talk how to get the most out of social media when news breaks. They’ll also share the best apps for when you’re on the scene.

Panelists include Cassa Niedringhaus and Stephanie Snyder.

The panel will be moderated by Allison Sylte.

 

 

Stephanie Snyder

Cassa Niedringhaus

Allison Sylte

11:15 to noon in LoRaine Good: Cracking Public Records

Getting government documents, whether it be local, state or federal, can be tricky. But ultimately worth the work to make a good story even stronger. Or, it can be the basis for a report. Veteran reporters who are Freedom of Information pros share how they delve into government documents and make the most out of what is available to public.

Panelists will include Tom Kelley and Erin Douglas.

The panel will be moderated by Jeffrey A. Roberts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erin Douglas

Tom Kelley

Jeff Roberts

12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Adirondacks: Lunch and the Mark of Excellence 

1:45 to 2:30 p.m. in the Senate Chambers: Incorporating HTML into Reporting

There’s no other way to put it: Basic coding knowledge is a part of journalism. Computer assisted reporting journalists who work with code, specifically HTML, everyday share the basics for those who are just starting to learn about the tool and its use in journalism. You’ll acquire tips and tricks in addition to a list of ways to incorporate HTML into reporting and how/where to learn it moving forward.

Panelists include Jayson Peters, Marcus Flowers and Jiaxi Shen.

The panel will be moderated by Marcus Hill.

 

Marcus Flowers

Jiaxi Shen

Jayson Peters

1:45 to 2:30 p.m. in the LoRaine Good: Freelancing 101

That side hustle? Going rogue and doing the freelance thing full time? This is a session you won’t want to miss. Veteran freelancers spill on how to get started, form a pitch and stay organized on your freelance journey. Advice will range from how to interact with editors to getting paid.

Panelists include Julian Rubinstein, Steve Knopper and Rachel Sturtz.

The panel will be moderated by Kara Mason.

 

 

Steve Knopper

Rachel Sturtz

Julian Rubinstein

2:15 to 3:15 p.m. in the Adirondacks: Campus Coverage Roundtable

A brainstorm session for how to bolster coverage of higher education from student journalists. Leticia Steffens, mass communications chair and a SPJ at-large campus adviser, leads a roundtable on issues facing student journalism in Region 9. Students and educators are encouraged to talk about issues facing their student newsrooms.

Panelists include Katie Langford, Desiree Gillespie, Rebecca Ramos and Kelly Ragan.
.

The panel will be moderated by Leticia Steffen.

2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in LoRaine Good: Getting Down to Business

How do you best report on a private company? What’s available to you as a reporter? Business experts and reporters weigh in on how to get documents, where to look for information and what elevates good business reporting to great business reporting.

Panelists include Brad Dempsey, Cathy Proctor and Caleb Newquist.

The panel will be moderated by Sal Christ.

 

 

 

Brad Dempsey

Caleb Newquist

Cathy Proctor

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Adirondacks: Resume Review

Polish up your resume and bring a copy for a one-on-one review session with a group of seasoned professionals. Reporters and editors from across different media have volunteered to review student resumes during an hour-long session to cap off the conference. College students not attending the conference may still attend the resume review free of charge.

Students should bring two printed copies of their resume and cover letter, a portfolio/clip file if they have one, and business cards if they have them.

Learn what the conference is.

Learn where the conference is.

Learn what the conference costs.

Have questions? Message or email! karalmason(at)gmail(dot)com.