The 61st Midwinter Conference & Trade Show drew 304 people to Dallas to “Take a Byte Out of Technology” Jan. 17-19 at The Fairmont Dallas. (see photos)

About one-third — 107 — of eligible TexSCAN (Texas Statewide Classified Advertising Network) member newspapers took advantage of the free package that included two nights free hotel and free registration and meals.

Fifteen non-TexSCAN newspapers attended along with 17 associate member firms and 57 vendor firms.

The Texas Newspaper Foundation Silent Auction raised about $6,000 for the Community Journalism Project.

The conference theme centered around technology and the speakers didn’t disappoint.

Kevin Slimp led sessions titled “A Common Sense Approach to Customer Service” and “Digital Journalism: A Convergence of Media” and Brett Jones demonstrated how to create a local sports video Web site in his presentation “Hitting a Home Run with Your Untapped Web Potential.”

Joe Thompson of the Hood County News explained the benefits of converting to direct-to-plate technology in printing.

Members shared success stories and problems with their own technology and other topics during the roundtable.

Keynote banquet speaker Tim Madigan received a standing ovation for his very personal talk on “My Friendship with Mr. Rogers” and keynote brunch speaker Bryan Flanagan kept the audience laughing and learning with “Now Go Sell Somebody Something.”

Also in conjunction with the conference, the Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame inducted its second class of honorees — Amon Carter, Harold Hudson, Alvin Holley and Walter Buckel.