Spring 2023
San Francisco
April 20-22, 2023
More information and registration
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.
Boston — Nov. 2-5, 2023
If you are a Boston-area scholastic journalism educator who wishes to assist the local team, contact 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.
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)
Fall Boston (Nov. 2-5)
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)