TGCPA, STPA celebrate joint convention in Galveston

Note: To see the photos from the convention, check out the eEdition with the link below on this page.

 Members of two regional press groups gathered in April for a joint convention on the Texas coast.

South Texas Press Association and Texas Gulf Coast Press Association held the first joint meeting at Moody Gardens in Galveston. Attendance from both groups boosted plans for future joint meetings.

Details for the first joint session were worked out by a joint committee with the hope of increasing attendance while reducing expenses through sharing costs. The convention chairs of both associations, Jeff Wick, The Fayette County Record, first vice president of STPA; and Melanie Berger, The Flatonia Argus, first vice president of TGCPA, worked together on the event.

“The joint convention went really well,” Wick said, “Both associations maintained their own board meetings, award ceremonies, but the speakers, sessions and meals were all shared, and we split convention costs and revenue.”

He added that both groups were pleased with the attendance of 75 and plans for continuing the joint format are under way, perhaps alternating annually from a Hill Country-area venue and a coastal venue.

Lisa Falkenberg, the Houston Chronicle’s vice president/editor of opinion, was keynote speaker for the joint meeting. A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who has covered Texas for more than 20 years, Falkenberg leads the editorial board and the paper’s opinion and outlook sections, including letters, op-eds and essays. She spoke on the importance of newspapers continuing to have staff-written editorials and opinion columns.

Also speaking were John Garrett, CEO and Founder of Community Impact Newspapers, who discussed how his company utilizes print and digital to build momentum, using the Pflugerville publication as an example; Andy Behlen of the Fayette County Record, who spoke on the potential (both good and bad) of artificial intelligence; and Austin Lewter, director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism, who conducted a good idea roundtable discussion.

The meeting also included networking opportunities at hospitality events, a private charter at Galveston Water Adventures, awards banquets and free time to enjoy Moody Gardens.

The Red Gibson Friend of STPA Award was presented to Jeff Berger, publisher of the Hondo Anvil-Herald and co-owner of South Texas Press Inc., for continued support of printing the annual STPA Bulletin.

Winners in both TGCPA and STPA annual newspaper contests were also announced during the meeting.

Sweepstakes winners in the TGCPA contest were the Gonzales Inquirer in Division 1 weeklies, Port Aransas South Jetty in Division 2 weeklies and the El Campo Leader-News in Division 3 semiweeklies.

Sweepstakes winners in the STPA contest were The Hays Free Press in Division 1 weeklies, the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post in Division 2 and the Uvalde Leader News in Division 3 semiweeklies.

Melissa Federspill, Uvalde Leader-News, was cited as journalist of the year and Dan Parker, Port Aransas South Jetty, was recognized as photographer of the year in the STPA contest.

Both groups installed new officers for 2024-25.

STPA officers are Larry Jackson, retired, chairman; Jeff Wick, Fayette County Record, president; Paul Prause, The Flatonia Argus, first vice president; Methane Garcia, Uvalde Leader-News, second vice president; and Melanie Berger, The Flatonia Argus, treasurer. Serving on the board of directors are Ken Esten Cooke, Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post; Regina Keilers, Fayette County Record; Christine Granados, Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post; Kelli Hartig, Port Aransas South Jetty; Jeff Berger, Hondo Anvil Herald; and Marc Robertson, Frio Nueces Current.

New officers for TGCPA are Paul Prause, The Flatonia Argus, chairman of the board; Melanie Berger, The Flatonia Argus, president; Regina Keilers, The Fayette County Record, first vice president; Denise Squier, Burleson County Tribune, second vice president; Kelli Barnes, Polk County Publishing Co., secretary; and Nonnie Barton, The Fayette County Record, treasurer.

Serving on the TGCPA board of directors are Ashley Kontnier, Hays Free Press; JT Strasner, Kingsville Record; Ashley Keenan, Polk County Publishing Co.; Shannon Crabtree, Wharton County Leader-Journal; Lew Cohn, Gonzales Inquirer; and Tania French, The Port Lavaca Wave. Mary Henkel Judson serves as assistant to the president, and committee chairs include Jeff Wick, Nick West Memorial Internship; Sue Brown, scholarship; Tania French, site selection; and Ashley Keenan, sponsorship.