By LYDIA CRAVER
Assistant Sports Editor
Miami Herald

Story posted on Aug. 8, 2008

With the economic downturn and cuts across newsrooms throughout the country, it's difficult to imagine that national journalism conventions will thrive as they have in the past.

How do we avoid this? There's no arguing that some of the best networking happens at these events, and the workshops can be invaluable. As newspapers' convention budgets shrink – or vanish – groups may have to make their meetings more attractive.

The Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM) hopes that strategic selection of host cities is the first step in avoiding a dip in attendance. The group's 2008 meeting in Miami drew 135 attendees, the second-highest number of participants in 21 years of conventions. Members expressed having fewer reservations about finances when a convention is located in a "destination city."

"We not only had a great turnout this year, but also outstanding numbers among our college-age members," AWSM president Jenni Carlson said. "Turns out, the Miami sun and sand are a big draw."

AWSM, which will hold its 2009 convention in Philadelphia, also is focusing on areas that boast a high concentration of members. Conventions in California, Florida and Texas typically have the highest turnouts – partly because of the ability of so many individuals to travel cheaply. It probably doesn't hurt that two of the three states are tourist meccas.

Securing major sponsorship for conventions well in advance – thereby easing the group's financial risk – also is a priority.

Further, AWSM is considering adding regional conventions – similar to APSE's drive-in meetings – in the future. An effort also is under way to increase the number of regional events so those members who cannot attend the national meeting will have other opportunities to stay involved.

The group has benefited from an increased membership from journalists in broadcasting and new media, as well as those in sports information, public relations and academia.

In other news:

As many as five mid-career training grants will be awarded during the next two years. As job descriptions are evolving, veteran journalists are particularly vulnerable. To help veterans adapt, AWSM created this program after receiving a $25,000 grant from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation.

AWSM recently created the Internship Opportunity Grant as internship opportunities are shrinking. Any U.S. newspaper is eligible to apply, and the initial recipient will receive an intern for next summer, paid by AWSM. The deadline to apply has passed and the selected organization will be notified by Sept. 15.

For more information, visit www.awsmonline.org

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