331 attend 57th Midwinter Conference

Members get 'A Look at the Law' in Houston

HOUSTON — The 57th Midwinter Conference & Trade Show was a success with 331 people attending the event Jan. 22-24 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel.

Thirty-one first-timers, people attending their first TPA convention, were recognized at the meal functions.

In all 133 newspapers were represented, including 128 TexSCAN papers that took advantage of the free registration package complete with free conference meals and two nights free stay in the conference hotel. The package is available for one staff member from each TexSCAN member newspaper.

The Trade Show drew 56 exhibitor firms and 91 exhibitors displaying the latest in newspaper productivity solutions and professional services.

The theme was “A Look at the Law” and attendees did just that with roundtable sessions on labor law with attorney Michael Zinser, First Amendment law with attorney Joel White and copyright law with attorney Rob Wiley.

Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, gave an update on open government access and newsgathering.

James McCown and his top-notch team of young lawyers from Jackson Walker conducted a mock libel trial Saturday morning.

Dave Einsel, director of photography for the Houston Chronicle, closed out the conference program with a discussion on photography ethics at the Saturday morning brunch.

The Texas Newspaper Foundation fifth annual silent charity auction raised $8,001 for the Texas Community Newspaper Project, which funds continuing education for journalists.