Register now for TPA Convention & Trade Show

It’s hard to believe that as you read this we’ll be into the month of April! Where does time fly?

I’m using the column this month to encourage you to register for the TPA convention and trade show June 19-21 in Denton. 

By Bill Patterson, TPA President 2024-25

The deadline to register is June 2. It will be here before you know it!

Mike and team have put together a great convention. It will be a great opportunity to catch up on industry trends and network with your fellow members.

Play golf in the Robert Burns Memorial Golf Tournament Thursday morning, June 19. The shotgun start will be around 8 a.m. at Oakmont Country Club.

Those arriving Thursday afternoon will have the opportunity to take in an open government training bonus session. Our friend Tom Williams with Haynes & Boone along with Tamara Smith of the AG’s office will lead the session. 

I think we’ve all had some issues with open government and access to information. You’ll be able to hear the latest do’s and don’ts to get the information you need to publish stories of importance in your markets.

The staff at TPA have lined up another great trade show with lots of vendors. It will even come with a custom made Peterbilt smack dab in the middle of the room, compliments of the Peterbilt/Paccar Motors Plant in Denton.

Official programming will begin at 11:45 Friday with the Hall of Fame and Golden 50 Awards Luncheon. 

Craig Garnett, owner and publisher of the Uvalde Leader-News, will be keynote speaker. 

Afternoon sessions on Friday include Rob Curley, someone you’ll want to hear as he’s on the cutting edge of our industry’s thinking. You’ll find him inspiring and brilliant, and you’ll walk away from his talk with a new sense of introspection and motivation, according to Leonard Woolsey. You’ll also hear NNA Advertising Updates and more on AI in the Newsroom.

The Publishers Round Table will include discussion on public notice, revenue Ideas, creative solutions, as well as survey results from the Poynter Institute and local surveys.

Friday night will feature a great program sponsored by the UNT Digital Newspaper Program and the Cathy Nelson Hartman Portal to Texas History Endowment. This event will be held at the University of North Texas Library and include dinner, tour and entertainment.

Saturday morning will wrap up the program with our annual business meeting, Don Richards speaking on Legal Rights of Reporters and Newspapers, and Senator Charles Perry on the Future of Water in Texas.

You’ll also have time to socialize with all your colleagues throughout the weekend! We look forward to seeing you in Denton!

While I’m at it, bill filing for this session has wrapped up, and hearings are underway. 

As has been asked of you, we’ll need your support during the next two months. As Donnis and Mike call or email you, please answer yes and help however you can. If it’s a phone call or email to your elected official, that’s vitally important. If you can make it to testify at hearings when called upon that’s extremely important! 

Over the years we’ve been able to fight successfully because of our grassroots efforts. As we say every session…this year we’ll need you more than ever.