Student awards, sessions on immigration and weather highlight INBA Spring Convention

2 weeks ago

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

Brian O'Keefe

News Director (Retired), WDCB radio, Glen Ellyn

One of the greatest benefits for me has been getting to see and know other parts of the state. I’m not from Illinois and traveling to spring and fall conventions over the years has transformed dots on a map to memories of places that enhance my story telling process.

Aaron Eades

Producer at Spectrum News 13, Orlando, FL; Former Morning Anchor at WCIA-TV, Champaign

As a student, it's often difficult to picture what working in the real world will be like. For me, the INBA bridged that gap by giving me the chance to talk to professionals who used to be in the same shoes I'm in now.

Molly Jirasek

News Nation, WGN America Chicago

One of my top goals in my career was to get to Chicago. Thanks to INBA I met Margaret Larkin. She remembered our great conversations about Chicago and first alerted me to a job opening in the city I might be interested in. Lo and behold, I got that job! INBA helped me reach my dream.

Nora Baldner

Professor; Quincy University

The support INBA gives to student journalists is vitally important as we all discover how technology is changing news dissemination, INBA monitors and actively encourages truth, transparency and accountability from students and their universities.

Andrew Tanielian

Freelance Video Journalist

INBA taught me how to network in a meaningful way. The scholarship process taught me how to endure a hard job interview and thrive.

Ryan Denham

Digital Content Director, WGLT (Normal)

I recently attended my first INBA conference—and it won’t be my last. The combination of professional and student journalists learning together is electric. Everyone learns from each other and walks away with new friends (and LinkedIn connections). I know I did.

Michelle Eccles McLaughlin

Public Relations Account Manager; Horace Mann Insurance

INBA is an organization that really caters to continuing education for professionals. It offers a relatively inexpensive way to learn new things, reinforce best practices and network.

Jeff Bossert

Morning Edition Host; WVTF, Roanoke, Virginia

When I was working in radio for the first time, I had no idea whether I could truly handle the demands. But INBA made me curious and want to improve. Even now, when I’ve maybe worked a lot of hours or planned some stories that didn’t come together for one reason or another, what I learn from an INBA conference gets me re-invigorated about the business.

Bob Roberts

Retired, WBBM-AM, Chicago

INBA is as much about friendship and as it is about achieving common goals. It provides two things individual newsrooms cannot: in-service training, and the ability to speak out on issues affecting the profession. But most of all, it brings newspeople together.

Mike Miletich

Broadcast journalist, Springfield

Joining the INBA was one of my best life decisions. I met some of the best broadcast journalists while I was still a college student. Plus, I ended up getting a job through the connections I made!

Jennifer Fuller

Associate Director for News and Public Affairs, WSIU

INBA is not only a great networking tool, it also provides advocacy and support for journalists in an ever-changing world.

Alexis McAdams

Fox News National Correspondent

INBA played a huge part in preparing me for my broadcasting career. The INBA conventions connect students with on-air talent and news directors who give feedback on now to improve your work. Through relationships I made at those conventions, I was able to obtain my first on air reporting job.