Brainstorming Roundtables — Roundtables will be held Wednesday evening during the first 90-minutes of the Evening Gathering Networking Session. They’re a great way to kick off conference and allow POMA members to interact, meet new people and share ideas. All attendees participate in three, 30-minute Brainstorming Roundtables. Roundtables will cover a wide range of subjects like POMA<35, negotiating better pay, digital cameras/gear, contract challenges, becoming a freelancer and self-marketing. At the end of the first 30-minute session, everyone moves to a new table for another 30-minute session. Then, everyone moves one more time for the third session.

The Future of Media, is Print Dead? — Is print dying at the hands of new-age media — the Net, streaming content and other vehicles of communication? POMA is bringing in a media expert who will look into the crystal ball and report on the health of the print industry and what the future holds for communications and communicators.

Selling Outdoor-Related Copy to Non-Outdoor Markets — When prolific freelance outdoor communicators like John E. Phillips, say, “You can’t make a living as a freelance, outdoor, magazine writer anymore,” there’s little doubt that POMA needs to teach members how to branch out. Is there a marketplace for outdoor content beyond our endemic publications? This session will help answer that question.

Web-based Communications — With the influx of new technologies that allow consumers to view long programming via the Internet on their home televisions and to completely customize their programming schedule — there’s more to talk about than blogging, podcasting, webcasting and streaming video in the Web-based communications marketplace. During this session, a panel of media experts will delve into Web communications outlets and how POMA members can branch out to increase income and step into the age of new-wave communications.

Photography, From the Photo Editor’s Perspective — Ever wonder why photo editors pick what you consider to be your less-than-perfect images? Do you think about the points editors consider when selecting images? Are you concerned about marketing and submitting images in the digital world? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then this session is for you. A panel of photo editors will unlock the door to their minds and share their perspectives on what makes a great image and how to sell and deliver images in today’s marketplace.

The September White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy (and hunting’s key part in that policy) — This newsmaker is for journalists who want to learn the details about the summit and why hunting is a major focus. The summit is being held as a result of a presidential directive and will shape policy for the next century.

Corporate Partner Session – A panel of journalists offers thoughts on how companies/ organizations miss the mark when dealing with the media and what they can/should do to ensure they garner warranted coverage.
 

Increasing Income With Interns/Apprentices — Many POMA members are missing the boat, and an increase in income, by not employing interns/apprentices. During this session, a panel of POMA members who work with or have worked as interns/apprentices will address the pros and cons of veterans joining forces with want-to-be communicators or industry professionals.

Editor’s Panel — Jay Cassell and Slaton White with Bonnier Corporation (Field & Stream, SHOT Business) are planning a session focused on editors. Jay and Slaton are bringing in an expert who will discuss trends and techniques to help outdoor editors stay on top of the challenges they face in this new age of journalism — specifically covering the integration of print and electronic media.

 

Make Money From What You Know Best — Yes, we’re outdoor communicators, but why not pick some low-hanging fruit from the journalistic money tree by communicating about communicating? Some POMA members are, and they’re increasing their income covering processes that are second nature — writing, developing article ideas, pulling together book proposals, editing, photography techniques, broadcasting, videography and more. There are markets that will buy this content and pay good money for it. This session will help all POMA members think differently about what they have to offer and sell.

Reconciling the First & Second Amendments and the
Journalistic Opinion Tightrope — This session addresses the fine line journalists must walk when offering opinions or not carefully considering comments. Consider the treatment of Don Imus (CBS/MSNBC), Kelly Tilghman (The Golf Channel), Dave Seanor (Golfweek), Dana Jacobson (ESPN) and, yes, our own Jim Zumbo after they uttered comments that infuriated many readers and viewers. Was the treatment fair? Let’s talk about it.