TPA convention to feature open government seminar

The 2025 TPA Convention and Trade Show June 19-21 will feature Texas Open Government Training as a bonus opening day event.

Convention headquarters is the the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center.

The training set for 1-4 p.m. Thursday, June 19, is free and is jointly sponsored by TPA and the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Speakers include Tom Williams of the FOIFT board and Haynes and Boone and Tamara Smith of the Texas Attorney General’s office.

Open government seminars address timely topics related to the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act and include updates on recent changes to the laws. The program provides detailed training and is directed toward government employees, attorneys, journalists and anyone wanting to learn more about open government laws.

The course has been approved as meeting the requirements for open government training for public officials. State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education credits are also available.

The seminar is part of a content-rich convention with a variety of speakers, round-table topics and plenty of time to discuss issues during hospitality receptions.

Registration forms are available for download on the TPA website, www.texaspress.com. Online registration is also available on the website. June 2 is deadline for registration and for room reservations.

The convention kicks off early Thursday, June 19, with the Robert Burns Memorial Golf Tournament at the Oakmont Country Club in Denton. 

This year’s tournament sponsor is Ad Messenger. Tee time will be 8 a.m. The tournament benefits the Texas Newspaper Foundation. 

The golf tournament registration form is available on the foundation website, www.tnf.net. Contact Mike Hodges at TPA for more information.

The trade show opens at 5:30 p.m. June 19, when attendees may visit with a variety of vendors displaying their products and services. The trade show and reception are sponsored by eType Services. The annual silent auction benefiting the Texas Center for Community Journalism will also be on display in the trade show hall.

On Friday, June 20, the trade show is open from 7:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Bidding in the silent auction closes at 11:15 a.m.

The Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame 2025 induction ceremonies and Golden 50 Awards luncheon will be held at 11:45 a.m. Uvalde Leader-News Publisher Craig Garnett is keynote speaker for the luncheon.

A full slate of industry sessions is scheduled Friday afternoon, sponsored by Ad Messenger, BLOX, Texas 2036 and Advantage Newspaper Consultants. Topics include NNA advertising update, AI in the newsroom, and a publishers round table to discuss public notice, revenue ideas and creative solutions. A Poynter Institute presentation on local survey results will also be featured.

An offsite event from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at University of North Texas Library will feature dinner, a tour and entertainment sponsored by UNT Digital Newspaper Program and the Cathy Nelson Hartman Portal to Texas History Endowment.

The general membership meeting and election of officers opens morning activities from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, sponsored by Metro Creative. Following the business meeting, Don Richards will speak on legal rights of reporters and newspapers. An update on the future of water in Texas will follow.

The convention concludes with the contest awards luncheon at 11:30 a.m. when officers will be installed, the 2025 Mayborn Award winner will be honored and the Texas Better Newspaper Contest awards will be presented.

Member registration for the convention is $400 per person, which includes the trade show and all other activities, including the industry sessions, hospitality events and both the Friday and Saturday award luncheons. Members may also choose to attend only some of the events, such as the Saturday contest awards brunch, and pay for those individually. The complete price list is on the registration form.

Qualifying ad network participants receive one complimentary stay for one or both nights of the convention. Ad network participants’ rooms will be reserved by TPA.

For others attending, the special group rate at the Denton Convention Center is $158 per night.  Reservations may be made by calling 940-243-3799.

For more information contact Sue Brown or Mike Hodges at TPA.