Below find the preliminary schedule for the 2024 NATJA Conference & Marketplace. The schedule is subject to change.
Sunday, May 14
Pre-Conference Press Trips
Media will be departing for the following press trips:
- Arctic Circle Fly Drive Adventure
- Approximately 8:45 am
- The Lodge at Black Rapids Tour
- Approximately 11 am
- Arctic Circle Fly Drive Adventure
Meet at The Westmark’s lobby to depart for your tour.
Monday, May 15
Pre-Conference Press Trips
Media will be departing for the following trips:
- Arctic Circle Midnight Sun Drive Adventure
- Approximately 8:45 am
- Chena Hot Springs
- Approximately 11:30 am
- Arctic Circle Midnight Sun Drive Adventure
Meet at The Westmark’s lobby to depart for your tour.
Media will be returning from the following trips:
- The Lodge at Black Rapids Tour
- Approximately 5 pm
- Arctic Circle Fly Drive Adventure
- Approximately 6 pm
- Chena Hot Springs
- Approximately 9:15 pm
- Arctic Circle Midnight Sun Drive Adventure
- Approximately 1 am
- The Lodge at Black Rapids Tour
Tuesday, May 14
9:00am - Registration Opens
Location: Pre-Function area of Floral Ballroom (Convention Center, via 2nd floor)
Come check-in with the NATJA team to pick up your conference badge and other items.
10:30am - Coffee Mixer for Attendees
Location: Floral Ballroom Pre-Function Area (Convention Center, via 2nd floor)
Join our NATJA team and Advisory Board members for a mid-morning cup of joe. All members are welcome!
11:30pm to 1:00pm - Luncheon
Location: Floral A (Convention Center, via 2nd floor)
The NATJA Conference officially kicks off with our Opening Luncheon.
1:00pm to 2:30pm - Opening General Session
Location: Floral A (Convention Center, via 2nd floor)
NATJA and Galveston Island welcomes attendees to the 21st Annual Conference & Marketplace.
2:30pm to 2:45pm - Break
2:45pm to 4:00pm - Beyond Travel Journalism: Other Ways to Earn a Living
Breakout Rooms: Floral A
Travel journalism is changing, again. Learn ways to continue your passion for travel journalism while finding alternate ways of earning a living.
4:00pm to 4:15pm - Break
4:15pm to 5:30pm - Unlocking Tourism for All: How DMOs can Champion Accessibility
Breakout Rooms: Floral A
Learn how to identify important accessibility considerations for destinations, including physical spaces, transportation, communication, and services. Develop effective marketing strategies to attract and empower travelers with disabilities and create an action plan to implement accessibility improvements within the resources and capabilities of a DMO.
5:30pm - Sessions End/Downtime
Sessions are over for the day! Take a quick break and we will see you in the Hotel Lobby for our departure to the welcome reception & dinner.
:50pm - Departures begin for Welcome Reception
Meeting Location: Hotel Lobby
7:00pm - Welcome Reception and Dinner
Location: TBD
9:00pm - Return to Moody Gardens
info
Wednesday, May 15
8:00am to 9:30am - Breakfast
Location:
Join us for the breakfast buffet and general session, which will include various announcements for the day, as well as our keynote speakers.
8:30am to 9:30am - General Assembly
Location: Floral A (Convention Center, via 2nd floor)
9:30am to 9:40am - Break
9:40am to 10:55am - AI Output, Human Input: Exploring the Future
Location: Floral A
Explore the role artificial intelligence will play in journalism. Hear researchers Jeff Inman and Jennifer Wilson from Drake University speak on the impact of AI on legacy magazines and publications and leave with an understanding of what you can expect in the near future.
10:55am to 11:05am - Break
11:05am to 12:20pm – Professional Development, Session 4
Choosing Effective Social Media Platforms
Location: Floral A
Make social media work for you. Identify which social media platforms may be the most effective for your niche and how to harness their power.
12:20pm to 12:45pm – Downtime
1pm – Depart for Afternoon Tours
Location:
5:00pm – Arrive back at Moody Gardens
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7pm – Dine-Around
Departure Location:
- Option 1
- Option 2
- Option 3
Click here for more information on each restaurant.
Make sure to check the back of your badge for your dine-around restaurant’s name to get on the correct bus!
9pm – Return to Moody Gardens
Thursday, May 16
8:00am – 9:30am – Breakfast
Location: Salon ABC at Moody Gardens
Breakfast will be available for the early birds!
8:00am to 9:00am - Marketplace Setup for Exhibitors
Location: Moody 2 at Moody Gardens
Look for the table with your organization’s name or find a NATJA team member to assist you to your table.
9:00am to 12:00pm - Marketplace
Location: Moody 2 at Moody Gardens
Media and destination marketing organizations meet for one-on-one chats. Make sure to bring your business cards!
12:00pm to 12:45pm - Downtime/Marketplace Breakdown
You will have the opportunity to return to your room and prepare for your Afternoon Tour.
1:00pm - Afternoon Tours w/ Lunch
Location: Hotel Lobby
Suggested Attire for all Tours: Comfortable waterproof walking shoes and clothing.
Click here for the afternoon tour options.
5pm – Arrive back at Moody Gardens for Downtime
5:45pm - Depart for Closing Reception
Meeting Location: Hotel Lobby
7pm – Closing Reception/Dinner
Location: TBD
9pm – Attendees return to Moody Gardens
Friday, May 17
Breakfast
Vouchers will be provided.
Press Trip Departures
Meet in the Hotel Lobby to depart for your post-conference press trip.
- Option 1: 0:00am
- Option 2: 0:00am
- Option 3: 0:00am
Transfer to the Airport
Details for transfers to the airport will be provided.
Saturday, May 18
Post-Conference Press Trips
Media will be returning from the following trips:
- Option 1
- Approximately _ pm
- Option 2
- Approximately _ pm
- Option 3
- Approximately _ am
- Option 1
