In the interest of public health and the best interests of our members, the 2020 WNA Convention & Trade Show and other summer events and programs have been canceled.
The determination to cancel the convention rather than postpone it, as previously announced, was a difficult decision made in light of the ongoing unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the cancellation, we plan to announce Better Newspaper Contest awards winners on May 15. (See the Q&A for more details on contest announcements).
That said, work has already begun on planning for the 2021 WNA Convention & Trade Show, and we expect to announce the date for that event in the coming weeks. We’re excited about seeing each of your there.
The WNA also has decided to cancel all other in-person summer events and programs, including the 2020 WNA Trees Retreat & Memorial Pylon Ceremony and the WNA Foundation’s summer internship program. We expect to resume both programs in 2021.
Q&A
We plan to make our official announcement of award winners on May 15, in order to get trophies, plaques and certificates into the hands of award winners (see next question). We’re asking all members to hold off on publicly announcing awards until then.
The importance of journalism — and the journalists who work so hard to produce it — has never been more evident. That’s why we’re making every effort to acknowledge awards winners while also considering the health and wellbeing of our members. On May 15, we will make the Better Newspaper Contest awards program, display, contest winners’ logo and slideshows available digitally.
But more than anything, we want to highlight your important work. That’s why we’ll be asking for celebratory snapshots — whether social distancing staff photos or working-from-home selfies. We’d love to share photos of you with your awards with the public and others in the industry.
If your office is closed due to COVID-19 and no one is available to receive awards by mail, please contact WNA Membership & Programming Specialist Jordan Schelling at jordan.schelling@wnanews.com.
