Student awards, sessions on immigration and weather highlight INBA Spring Convention
Educational sessions about immigration and weird weather and the celebration of our student broadcast journalists will headline the INBA Spring Convention in Bloomington April 25-27, 2025.
Here is the agenda for the weekend:
INBA Spring Convention schedule (all sessions at the Holiday Inn & Suites Bloomington Airport, 3202 E. Empire St., Bloomington)
Friday, April 25
> Evening welcoming reception at hotel.
Saturday, April 26
> 8 to 9 a.m. – Convention registration and check-in, hotel lobby
> 9:10 a.m. – Welcome
> 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.: Session One – Covering Immigration in the Second Trump Administration: The Trump administration has substantially altered America’s immigration policy in its first months in office. We’ll learn the basics of the system that governs immigration, hear from leaders of communities that have been affected and get tips for covering a fast-changing beat.
Panelists: Laura Aronson, director, Immigration Law Clinic, University of Illinois Law School; Maggie Rivera, President and CEO, Illinois Migrant Council; Adriana Cardona-Maguidad, immigration reporter, WBEZ Chicago
> 10:45 a.m. to noon: Session Two – Wild Wacky Weather: It doesn’t take a meteorologist to recognize that the weather in Illinois is getting a little weirder. You’ll hear from experts in the field about why that might be happening, how it impacts communities, and how we as reporters can better communicate before, during and after severe weather events.
Panelists: Chuck Collins, meteorologist WEEK 25News Peoria; Cathy Beck, director, McLean County Emergency Management Agency; Jim Angel, retired Illinois state climatologist; Gary Manier, mayor, Washington, Illinois, which was hit by an EF-4 tornado in 2013)
> Noon to 2 p.m.: Lunch and INBA membership meeting
> 2 to 3:15 p.m.: Session Three – The Future of Media: Angst over the future of journalism is nothing new. But the rapid pace of change, and recent rounds of layoffs at institutions big and small, at a time when the media’s watchdog role is more critical than ever, is enough to spike the anxiety of even the most veteran reporters. We’ll discuss the future of the industry with local and regional news leaders.
Panelists: Brad Gray, director of innovation, WTHR 13News (Indiana/TEGNA); Leon Hendricks news director, WEEK 25News (Peoria/Gray)
> 3:30 p.m.: Association meetings, student critiques
> 6 p.m.: Cocktail hour
> 7 p.m.: Dinner and presentation of student scholarships and SINBA awards
Sunday, April 27
10 to 11:15 a.m.: Session Four – A Refresh for Journalists: After a long work week and a weekend full of tough conversations and topics, it’s time for a break. We’ll get tips on how to take quick breaks during a busy day and recognize when deep breathing may just not be enough.
Panelist: Erin Kennedy, manager, Community Resource Center, OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington