National Conventions

Spring 2024


Kansas City, Missouri

April 4-6, 2024

Sheraton and Westin Kansas City hotels at Crown Center
$236 all rooms plus 15.695% tax.
More information and registration

April 4-6, 2024
Kansas City, Missouri

Registration $125-195
Sheraton-Westin
$236 all rooms

Nov. 7-10, 2024 Philadelphia
Registration $125-195
Philadelphia Marriott
$239 all rooms

April 24-26, 2025 Seattle
Registration $125-195
Sheraton Grand
$249 single/double, $259 triple/quad

About JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Conventions

The JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention is a semiannual gathering of high school journalists and advisers sponsored by the Journalism Education Association and its partner, the National Scholastic Press Association. The associations partner to prepare hundreds of practical and professional learning sessions, from high-profile keynotes to specific, problem-solving breakouts, hands-on workshops and discussion groups. Other convention activities include an exhibit hall with vendors who sell to student media, JEA’s on-site National Student Media Contests, NSPA’s Best of Show contest, receptions, awards convocations, critiques, career round tables and evening entertainment.

Breakout sessions for students from all media types — newspaper, online, broadcast, yearbook and magazine — are planned to meet the publishing and broadcasting needs of all scholastic student media. Some are specifically for advisers, administrators or middle school students. Whether it’s ethics and law, technology and design, advertising and business operations, photography and art or just the basics of news writing and reporting, this convention covers the bases.

With typical attendance of more than 4,000 delegates, the JEA/NSPA convention has become the place to seek solutions to the most challenging publishing and broadcasting problems, share and celebrate success stories, see what’s new in the media marketplace, discover trends and network with students and advisers from throughout the United States.

VOLUNTEER TO SPEAK

Members and other individuals interested in supporting the goals and programs of JEA, NSPA and scholastic journalism are invited to submit convention program proposals for sessions at the national convention. This invitation is extended to teachers/advisers, professional journalists and students in editorial-leadership positions. Proposals must be received by Jan. 15 (spring convention) or Aug. 15 (fall convention), to be listed in the registration booklet.

WHY CONVENTIONS MATTER

Are you running into some obstacles at your school regarding convention travel? We know that field trip restrictions are tighter than ever, and we're here to help. Download this PDF to share with your administrators as you seek travel approval. This one-page flyer promotes the benefits of JEA/NSPA national conventions and might help showcase why conventions offer essential learning experiences — for teachers and students — beyond the regular classroom.

TRAVEL

Planning on attending a convention? Here's everything from basic rules to permission slips to guidance on flying. CLICK HERE.

UPCOMING CONVENTIONS

JEA and NSPA invite teachers and professionals to speak at our national conventions about tips, topics and trends relevant to scholastic media.

For inquiries about sponsorship, exhibit space or advertising, visit the National Scholastic Press Association and select the appropriate contract.

Vendors interested in bidding on audio-visual or other event services can contact JEA's executive director: Veronica Purvis at veronica@jea.org.

Kansas City — April 4-6, 2024
If you are a Kansas City-area scholastic journalism educator who wishes to assist the local team, contact Veronica Purvis at veronica@jea.org.

Philadelphia — Nov. 7-10, 2024
If you are a Philadelphia-area scholastic journalism educator who wishes to assist the local team, contact Veronica Purvis at veronica@jea.org.


Convention history

Click on the link for some cities to view pictures and other information from that convention.

Statistics from spring 1990 through fall 2020
Average — 4,022
Fall average — 4,536
Spring average — 3,507
Largest — Washington, D.C., fall 2014 (6,406)

2030
Spring TBD
Fall Orlando (Nov. 21-24)

2029
Spring TBD
Fall Nashville (Nov. 8-11)

2028
Spring TBD
Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov 16-19)

2027
Spring Los Angeles (April 15-17)
Fall Boston (Nov. 18-21)

2026
Spring TBD
Fall Orlando (Nov. 19-22)

2025
Spring Seattle (April 24-26)
Fall Nashville (Nov. 13-16)

2024
Spring Kansas City, Missouri (April 4-6)
Fall Philadelphia (Nov. 7-10)

2023
Spring San Francisco (April 20-22), 3,407
Fall Boston (Nov. 2-5) 4,477

2022
Spring Los Angeles (April 7-9) 2,150
Fall St. Louis (Nov. 10-13) 3,210

2021
Spring virtual (March-May) 5,855
Fall virtual (Nov. 1 to Jan. 15), 4,514

2020
Spring Nashville (April 16-19) canceled
Fall virtual (Nov. 19-21) 4,108

2019
Spring Anaheim (April 25-27) 3,542
Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov. 21-24) 6,161

2018
Spring San Francisco (April 12-14) 4,523
Fall Chicago (Nov. 1-4) 6,397

2017
Spring Seattle (April 6-9) 3,837
Fall Dallas (Nov. 16-19) 4,917

2016
Spring Los Angeles (April 14-17) 3,871
Fall Indianapolis (Nov. 10-13) 3,820

2015
Spring Denver (April 16-19) 2,976
Fall Orlando (Nov. 12-15) 6,015

2014
Spring San Diego (April 10-13) 3,267
Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov. 6-9) 6,406

2013
Spring San Francisco (April 25-28) 4,120
Fall Boston (Nov. 14-17) 5,765

2012
Spring Seattle (April 12-15) 3,195
Fall San Antonio (Nov. 15-18) 4,540

2011
Spring Anaheim (April 14-17) 3,814
Fall Minneapolis (Nov. 17-20) 4,214

2010
Spring Portland (April 15-18) 2,739
Fall Kansas City (Nov. 11-14) 4,599

2009
Spring Phoenix (April 16-19) 2,800
Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov. 12-15) 6,353

2008
Spring Anaheim (April 17-20) 4,461
Fall St. Louis (Nov. 13-16) 5,020

2007
Spring Denver (April 12-15) 3,367
Fall Philadelphia (Nov. 8-11) 4,802

2006
Spring San Francisco (April 20-23) 4,263
Fall Nashville (Nov. 9-12) 5,020

2005
Spring Seattle (April 7-10) 4,320
Fall Chicago (Nov. 10-13) 6,191

2004
Spring San Diego (April 1-4) 4,355
Fall Atlanta (Nov. 16-19) 3,869

2003
Spring Portland (April 10-13) 3,596
Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov. 20-23) 4,803

2002
Spring Phoenix (April 4-7) 3,612
Fall Dallas (Nov. 21-24) 5,278

2001
Spring San Francisco (April 4-7) 5,367
Fall Boston (Nov. 8-11) 3,155

2000
Spring Anaheim (April 6-9) 4,770
Fall Kansas City, Mo. (Nov. 16-19) 4,319

1999
Spring Albuquerque (April 8-11) 2,613
Fall Atlanta (Nov. 18-21) 4,102

1998
Spring Seattle (April 16-19) 4,517
Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov. 19-22) 5,121

1997
Spring Phoenix (April 17-20) 3,547
Fall St. Louis (Nov. 13-16) 4,129

1996
Spring San Francisco (April 11-14) 3,925
Fall Chicago (Nov. 14-17) 4,380

1995
Spring San Diego (April 6-9) 2,949
Fall Kansas City (Nov. 16-19) 3,461

1994
Spring Portland (April 22-24) 2,355
Fall Dallas (Nov. 17-19) 3,033

1993
Spring Long Beach (April 23-25) 2,675
Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov. 19-21) 3,349

1992
Spring Denver (April 10-12) 1,800
Fall Columbus (Nov. 19-22) 2,100

1991
Spring Albuquerque (April 12-14) 2,200
Fall Chicago (Nov. 15-17) 3,138

1990
Spring Seattle (March 30-April 1) 1,820
Fall Indianapolis (Oct. 25-28) 1,610

1989
Spring Anaheim (April 14-16)
Fall St. Louis (Nov. 2-4)

1988
Spring San Francisco (April 7-10) 2,700
Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov. 18-20) 2,300

1987
Spring Portland (April 9-11) 2,038
Fall Kansas City, Mo. (Nov. 20-22) 2,000

1986
Spring Tucson (April 4-6) 1,483
Fall Chicago (Nov. 21-23) 2,200

1985
Spring Seattle (April 12-14) 1,400
Fall Cleveland (Nov. 22-24)

1984
Spring Phoenix (April 13-15) 1,261
Fall Little Rock (Nov. 9-11) 1,250

1983
Spring Seattle (April 22-24) 1,300
Fall St. Louis (Nov. 17-19) 1,600

1982
Spring San Francisco (April 29-May 1) 2,284
Fall Chicago (Nov. 19-21) 1,452

1981
Spring Anaheim (April 23-26) 1,956
Fall Kansas City, Mo. (Nov. 6-8) 1,000

1980
Spring Seattle (April 3-5) 1,400
Fall Detroit (Nov. 6-8) 943

1979
Spring San Jose, Calif. (April 12-14) 2,000
Fall Milwaukee, Wis. (Oct. 26-28) 569

1978
Spring San Diego (April 14-16) 3,255
Fall St. Louis (Nov. 9-11)

1977
Spring San Francisco (April 15-17)
Fall Kansas City, Mo. (Nov. 25-27)

1976
Spring Portland, Ore. (April 9-11)
Fall San Antonio (Nov. 25-27)

1975
Spring Los Angeles (April 4-6)
Fall Chicago (Nov. 27-29)

1974
Spring San Francisco (April 5-7)
Fall Chicago (Nov. 28-30)

1973
Fall Atlanta (Nov. 22-24)

.

Password Reset
Please enter your email address and press [Return] or [Enter]. You will receive a new password via e-mail.

If you don't receive it within a few minutes, please call (785-532-5532) or email us (staff@jea.org), and we'll be happy to assist you.