Networking on the stage where music legends perform. Conversations with journalism greats. Breakfast tacos, lunch conversations and mocktails. Bats and beer. Find it all in this year’s official (and unofficial) party, events and networking round-up.
Most official ONA18 events are free and open to registered attendees. You’ll need a full conference pass for the majority of those events, as well as any special presentations.
Tip: Refer to your print program guide for maps of the hotel.
Some events require RSVPs for drink tickets. Unofficial events around town have availability as noted.
ONA18 events and special programming
Wednesday, Sept. 12 (Community Day)
Noon-4:30 p.m.: Training: ONA-U: Student and Early Career Mini Conference. Belo Center for New Media, School of Journalism, the University of Texas at Austin. RSVP required. ONA18 registration not required.
1-5 p.m.: Training: Media Law for Journalists. Austin American-Statesman. RSVP required. ONA18 registration not required.
6:30-8 p.m.: Special Event: Trust, Media and Democracy. Lone Star A+B (2nd floor, JW Marriott). This event is open to all registered attendees ONA18, regardless of pass type. Guests with credentials for the ASNE-APME News Leadership Conference will also be admitted to this event. RSVP is requested.
Thursday, Sept. 13
Noon-5 p.m.: Exhibits, Lounges + Midway Open. Griffin Hall (2nd floor), Lone Star D (Midway, 3rd floor) + WordPress.com VIP lounge (Lone Star D foyer), Facebook + Reuters coffee lounges (3rd and 4th floors); Disney networking lounge (4th floor). Swag, tools, tech, food and cocktails. Open to all ONA18 registered attendees.
Noon-1 p.m.: Luncheon: Trust and Reliability: Global Reporting with Local Context. Brazos (206, 2nd floor). Join the waitlist. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
3:30-5 p.m.: Educators’ Meetup. Ballroom 8 (4th floor). Drinks served! Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Reception: Global Ideas To Strengthen Your Newsroom. Rooms 301+302, 3rd floor. Space is limited. Refreshments served. Click here to RSVP. Email Luisa Pires Luciano with any questions.Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
6-8 p.m.: Opening Night Reception. ACL Live At The Moody Theater, 310 Willie Nelson Blvd, (5 blocks from JW Marriott). Must have an ONA18 attendee badge or special ticket to enter. Drinks and appetizers.
Friday, Sept. 14
8-9:30 a.m.: Special Event: Wake-Up Yoga Class. Brazos (206, 2nd floor). Capacity for this event is limited and requires an RSVP. A limited number of mats will be available, so please bring your own if you have one. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
8-9:30 a.m.: Diversity Mentorship Breakfast. Lone Star A (2nd floor). This event is open only to participants who were chosen based on an application process that ended in August. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
8:30-9:30 a.m.: Breakfast: Designing for Capabilities. Rooms 301+302, 3rd floor. Join the waitlist. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
8:30-9:30 a.m.: Breakfast: Transforming Your Newsroom to Make Sense of the new News Cycle. Rooms 203+204, 2nd floor. Join the waitlist. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Exhibits, Lounges + Midway Open. Griffin Hall (Exhibits, 2nd floor), Lone Star D (Midway, 3rd floor) + WordPress.com VIP lounge (Lone Star D foyer), Facebook + Reuters coffee lounges (3rd and 4th floor); Disney networking lounge (4th floor). Swag, tools, tech, food and cocktails. Open to all ONA18 registered attendees.
10-12:30 p.m.: Journalism 360 Immersive Storytelling Festival. Lone Star C (3rd floor). Open to all ONA18 registered attendees.
Noon-2 p.m.: Luncheon: Combating Digital Disinformation in Democracy: Tips and Tools for 2018 Elections and Beyond. Brazos (206, 2nd floor). This is a plated lunch and an RSVP is required. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
2:30-3:30 p.m.: Midway Speakeasy. Lone Star D (Midway, 3rd floor). Open to all ONA18 registered attendees; limited drink tickets so show up early and explore the Midway!
6-7:30 p.m.: Reception: The Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT. Corner Restaurant, City Limits Private Room, JW Marriott (1st floor). Open to ONA18 full conference badge holders, limited space. RSVP here.
6:30-7:30 p.m.: International Reception, Brazos (206, 2nd floor). Limited space & RSVP required for drink tickets. Refreshments served. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
6:30-7:30 p.m: Reception: Cocktails & Collaboration. Rooms 203+204, 2nd floor. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
6:30-7:30 p.m: Reception: Texas Media Mixer. Rooms 201+202, 2nd floor. Limited space & RSVP required for drink tickets. Refreshments served. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
6:30-7:30 p.m: Reception: ONA-U Student & Early Career Reception. Lone Star B (3rd floor). Limited space & RSVP required for drink tickets. Refreshments served. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
Saturday, Sept. 15
8:30-9:30 a.m.: Local News Leaders Breakfast. Brazos (206, 2nd floor). By invitation only. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Exhibits, Lounges + Midway Open. Griffin Hall (exhibits, 2nd floor), Lone Star D (Midway, 3rd floor) + WordPress.com VIP lounge (Lone Star D foyer), Facebook + Reuters coffee lounges (3rd and 4th floor); Disney networking lounge (4th floor). Swag, tools, tech, food and cocktails. Open to all ONA18 registered attendees.
10 a.m.: Refuel Lounge sponsor Parse.ly hosting breakfast tacos on the Exhibit Floor/Griffin Hall (2nd floor).
Noon-1 p.m.: Luncheon: Bing @ Microsoft. Brazos (206, 2nd floor). Join the waitlist. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
5-6 p.m.: Diversity Reception. Brazos (206, 2nd floor). Space is limited and RSVP required for drink tickets. Refreshments served. Must have an ONA18 full conference attendee badge.
7-10 p.m.: Online Journalism Awards Banquet. Grand Ballrooms 5+6 (4th floor). Tickets required. Plated dinner. ONA18 registration not required.
Unofficial events on site and around town:
The following events are being hosted by many of our partners and sponsors around Austin, and many are open to ONA18 attendees with any badge level.
Wednesday, Sept. 12
8-10 p.m.: ONA Local Porch Party, Austin American Statesman, 305 South Congress Ave. (3 blocks from JW Marriott). Local food, drinks and tunes before ONA18 kicks off. RSVP required. All are welcome.
Thursday, Sept. 13
8-9:30 a.m.: Knight Foundation Breakfast: Meet the Knight Journalism team, Rm. 401 (Knight Foundation lounge). Share your ideas and updates with the Knight Foundation journalism team. Coffee and continental breakfast will be provided. No RSVP is required, but seating is limited. ONA18 badge required.
Noon-1:30 p.m.: Lunch discussion: Online Harassment of Female Journalists: From Impact to Action. Rm. 401 (Knight Foundation lounge). RSVP and details here. ONA18 badge required.
Noon-1:30 p.m.: Public Good luncheon at Swift’s Attic. Contact amelia@publicgood.com for availability.
2-2:30: Storyful misinformation sessions around elections. Griffin Hall (Exhibits, 2nd floor), Storyful lounge. Open to all ONA18 attendees.
3-4:30: Texas craft whiskey cocktail bar and networking session. Griffin Hall (Exhibit, 2nd floor), Storyful lounge. Open to all ONA18 attendees.
5:30-7 p.m.: Reception: Columbia Journalism School. Room 307. Alumni, prospective students and friends welcome. Registration required.
8-11 p.m.: SmartNews Presents: An Evening with Dan Rather. Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill, 201 Brazos St. Cocktails, barbecue snacks and Texas-style hors d’oeuvres. Registration required.
Friday, Sept. 14:
8-9:30 a.m.: Emerging Media Breakfast. Rm 401, Knight Foundation lounge. Discuss your top questions and concerns on new and emerging technology, from artificial intelligence to blockchain and more. ONA18 badge required. RSVP is required.
10 a.m.-noon: Alley office hours on the Midway (Lonestar D). Have a question about an upcoming digital project? Need some development or design advice? We can help with the challenges you’re facing. Stop our booth to sign up for a slot!
2-2:30 p.m.: Storyful misinformation sessions around the midterms. Griffin Hall (Exhibits, 2nd floor), Storyful lounge. Open to all ONA18 attendees.
3-4:30 p.m.: Texas craft whiskey cocktail bar and networking session. Griffin Hall (Exhibits, 2nd floor), Storyful lounge. Open to all ONA18 attendees.
6:30-9 p.m.: Google ONA Party, in collaboration with the Austin American-Statesman and the Texas Tribune. LZR, 612 West 4th Street. Light hors d’oeuvres, libations, music and good conversation. RSVP + photo ID required (PW: austinona) but ONA badge is not required. NOTE: All bags will be searched prior to entry.
Saturday, Sept. 15:
noon-2 p.m.: Alley office hours on the Midway (Lonestar D). Have a question about an upcoming digital project? Need some development or design advice? We can help with the challenges you’re facing. Stop our booth to sign up for a slot!
