Time is runing out to register for WJEA State Conference on March 10 at Rogers HS

"A lot of young people are not getting news from newspapers. The electron has eliminated the middleman. . . . [But] there can never be a replacement for people who can consolidate news and information into readable form."

- Joseph A. Hays, retired Tribune Co. executive, 2006

The WJEA state journalism conference -- this year titled "Journalism 2.0: The Convergence of Media and Technology" -- is now less than a month away, and if you haven't registered your staff yet, it's time to get on board! The last day you can send off your registration and avoid a $10 late fee is Feb. 15, but if you miss it, don't worry ... there's still room!

Registration materials, which can be downloaded here, will give you the full scoop, but here are some fo the things you have to look forward to by coming to Puyallup on March 10:

• Keynote speaker Mark Briggs, who has served as editor of thenewstribune.com, the flagship Web site for The News Tribune, since 2004.
• Writeoff competitions in nearly 20 categories, with each entry being individually judged by local professional journalists.
• Sessions on a variety of topics, presented by journalism professionals.
• Best of Show competition

Not sold yet? Check out some of the people who are scheduled to present sessions:

• The (Tacoma) News Tribune movie reviewer Soren Anderson, photographer Russ Carmack and sports/outdoors writer Craig Hill
• Student Press Law Center consulting attorney Mike Hiestand
• Design expert Mike Watters of Colby Creative
• Award-winning advisers Logan Aimone (The Apple Leaf and Wa-Wa, Wenatchee HS), Vince DeMiero (The Hawkeye, Mountlake Terrace HS), Susan Fergueson (Cat Tails and Tenas Coma, Mt. Si HS), Dan Hardebeck (The Blazer, Timberline HS), and Jeff Nusser (JagWire, Emerald Ridge HS)
• WJEA President Kathy Schrier
• WSU student journalist and House Bill 1307 architect Brian Schraum
• WJEA Administrator of the Year Brian Lowney (Emerald Ridge HS)
• And more are being added every week!

What are you waiting for? For even more information, visit wjea.net.