SPJ Phoenix

09/16/2024

Valley PR pros: Early-bird registration ends Sept. 27, so don't delay signing up for the Oct. 19 Valley Publicity Summit. The greatest Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024 as the place where media and PR pros talk pitching preferences and story ideas. This year's gathering includes several freelance writers whose work appears in a variety of media outlets. Remember, all the discounts -- including our popular "buy two, get one free offer" for PR pros from the same shop -- all end Sept. 27.
Each year, the day after this event, there are two types of PR pros in Phoenix: Those who had gone to this event, and those who wish they had. Elevate your PR career and head for the Summit! Check out the growing list of expected media participants and sign up today:

The best Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations ( ) returns for its 20th year!

09/15/2024

Many thanks to everyone on hand to learn and share at Saturday’s elections coverage workshop. Our speakers provided terrific insights as journalists in attendance asked many great questions. Much appreciation to Morgan Loew of our partner, the Arizona First Amendment Coalition, who moderated the panels.

09/13/2024

SOLD OUT! Saturday's elections coverage workshop is now at full capacity. We even rearranged the room to squeeze in 10 more seats, but now those are also gone. Please don't ask for additional seats; we're afraid that there aren't any. Apologies for any inconvenience. Valley of the Sun and ASU SPJ and the First Amendment Coalition of Arizona thank you for the terrific response to this event.

09/09/2024

Arizona journalists: Only a few seats are left for this Saturday morning's free workshop, "Covering Elections in the Age of Misinformation." Top reporters and data experts will present in this downtown Phoenix event. Sign up today!

Whether you're a veteran political reporter or only cover elections occasionally, this free workshop will get you ready for November.

08/28/2024

Attention Valley PR pros: The list of media outlets expected at the 20th annual Valley Publicity Summit keeps growing! The greatest Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations is Oct. 19 in beautiful Scottsdale.
Recent additions include are media representatives from AZ Big Media, Phoenix magazine, Raising Arizona Kids magazine and top freelancers.
Check out the entire list of expected media signed up so far (there's more to come) and register today, while low early-bird prices are still in effect.
It's only 54 days away, friends. Don't be among the regretful the day after it's over. Elevate your PR career -- step up to the Summit.
Media people: If you're interested in volunteering to meet with among several dozen PR pros expected at the Summit, please email [email protected] for more information.

The best Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations ( ) returns for its 20th year!

08/22/2024

Arizona journalists: Seats are limited -- sign up today!

Attention Arizona Journalists! 📢

With the general election on the horizon, we’re highlighting an invaluable opportunity for you. On Sept. 14, SPJ’s Valley of the Sun chapter and the First Amendment Coalition of Arizona are hosting a FREE workshop, "Covering Elections in the Age of Misinformation." Featured speakers include top journalists and elections experts who will share their insights to help you navigate election coverage. This nonpartisan event is open to all Arizona journalists and journalism students.

📅 When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
📍 Where: Westward Ho Hotel, Phoenix

RSVP now to secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3AiMm5R

SPJ Phoenix

08/01/2024

We're very, very happy for the editorial staff of the Wall Street Journal today and recognize their exemplary efforts to free their colleague, Evan Gershkovich, from more than a year in detention in Russia. Gershkovich was freed today, along with another American detained by Russia, Paul Whelan. Whelan was held even longer.

Today is a joyous day for Evan’s family, friends and colleagues, who have worried about him and supported him these past 16 months

07/30/2024

Great news: The Arizona Press Club announced it has returned, and so has its annual contest. Entry deadline is Aug. 12.

Happy Monday, Arizona journalists!
Don't forget that our 2023 contest is open and accepting entries through August 12.
If you work for an Arizona outlet that produces stories in a written, audio or visual format, you're eligible to enter!
Check out the rules, categories and details at https://azpressclub.org/2024/07/24/the-2023-arizona-press-club-contest-is-now-open/

07/23/2024

Arizona journalists: Be ready to cover the November elections, from the biggest statewide and urban races to hard-fought campaigns in rural counties with vital information from veteran reporters, data & voter experts. Join SPJ Phoenix and the Arizona First Amendment Coalition for a free nonpartisan Saturday morning workshop Sept. 14 at the historic Westward Ho hotel in downtown Phoenix. Again, it's free (and there will be food). Space is limited, so sign up today:

Whether you're a veteran political reporter or only cover elections occasionally, this free workshop will get you ready for November.

07/09/2024

Registration is now open for the 20th annual Valley Publicity Summit, where media and PR pros share story ideas and pitch preferences. The greatest Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations since 2004 is moving to beautiful Scottsdale on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024! Low early-bird rates available for a limited time. Elevate your career. Make your trek to the Summit! Get details, signup info:

Early-bird registration is now open! The 20th anniversary edition of the greatest Saturday morning in Valley PR-media relations returns Oct. 19 at our new location in Scottsdale. Sign up today for …

06/21/2024

Thanks to everyone who came in from out in the heat Thursday at SPJ Phoenix's annual soiree in downtown Phoenix! Great conversations, connections and re-connections among new and old friends, colleagues and competitors. It's always a great pleasure to see Bob Kravitz, an SPJ member since 1969! And Order of the Silver Key honoree David Morgan traveled from Cochise County and was able to join us. And congrats to our officers who were all re-elected to another year leading the chapter: Tim Eigo, president; Nicole Greason, vice president; Mark Scarp, secretary; Kerry Fehr-Snyder, treasurer.

06/20/2024

114. What can you do about it, Valley media/communicators? Flagstaff? San Diego? A walk-in freezer? Better idea: Escape the year's longest day with a cold one with colleagues and competitors at our annual Soiree, 5:30-8p today at State 48 Brewery, 345 W. Van Buren, downtown Phoenix. Free apps, courtesy of SPJ Phoenix. Don't miss it, unless you find sweating to be a character-building experience.

Valley journalists and communicators: Enjoy a cold beverage with colleagues and competitors on the year’s longest day at our annual Summer Solstice Soiree, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Stat…

05/25/2024

Valley of the Sun SPJ President Tim Eigo (left) moderates at “Reporters and the Pen,” w/5 Arizona journalists who wrote and published books, today at the ⁦‪‬⁩ in Scottsdale. ⁦‪‬⁩ co-sponsored the event with the AZ chapter of ⁦‪‬⁩

05/20/2024

Valley journalists and communicators: Find out what it takes to write and publish a book from five Arizona journalists who did just that! Join Valley of the Sun SPJ and the Arizona chapter of PEN America as we present "Reporters and the Pen: Arizona journalists who became authors," 3 to 5 p.m. THIS Saturday, May 25, at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale. Admission is free, but RSVP is required. More details:

We’re pleased to join The Arizona chapter of PEN America to co-host a panel of Arizona-based journalists who became authors. Please RSVP here. Join us to learn how these local journalists mov…

04/19/2024

Save the date for a very special event 20 years in the making: Phoenix SPJ presents the 20th annual Valley Publicity Summit six months from today, Saturday, Oct. 19, in a new venue in beautiful Scottsdale! Keep checking https://phoenixspj.org for more details, but for now, mark your calendars for the greatest Saturday morning in Valley PR-media relations!

Serving journalists in the Phoenix metropolitan area since 1958

04/04/2024

Today, April 4, is National Hug a Newsperson Day, which encourages appreciation of people engaged in bringing us the news! Here's a nice description of what journalists do that we all rely on:

NATIONAL HUG A NEWSPERSON DAY National Hug a Newsperson Day (formerly National Hug a Newsman Day) on April 4th encourages appreciation for the people reporting

02/28/2024

Limited seats are going fast for "Getting Access 2," SPJ Phoenix and Arizona Latino Media Association's free March 23 workshop to learn ways to improve journalists' access to public records and meetings. Attorney Peter Limperis of the Arizona First Amendment Coalition media legal hotline joins eight journalists with tips for successful access. Get details and RSVP today:

Arizona journalists: To earn the trust of a skeptical public, effective, impactful, responsible journalism is not only truthful and accurate, but also transparent and accountable. Proper, solid doc…

02/15/2024

Arizona media pros: Our successful public records and freedom of information workshop last fall led us to hold another on Saturday, March 23, at the old downtown Phoenix Post Office! "Getting Access 2: More Good Journalism" will have different topics, but the same great advice from leading journalists and a media lawyer. And admission is free, but RSVP is required. Co-sponsored by SPJ Phoenix, ASU SPJ and the Arizona Latino Media Association. Get details, RSVP:

Arizona journalists: Effective, impactful, responsible journalism is not only truthful and accurate. To earn the trust of a skeptical public, it also must be transparent and accountable. Proper, so…

02/12/2024

Valley media and communications pros; On Thursday, Feb. 29, join colleagues and friends to say goodbye to February … on Leap Day. Everyone is invited – chapter member or not – to drop in and enjoy a bevvie + nosh (we’ll buy a few appetizers; you buy your drink).

Meet us at Walter Studios, 747 W. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. We’ll be there from 5:30-7:30 p.m. And, despite what we just said, we will buy you a drink of your choice if you either: (1) share a brief tale with the group about a story you recently covered and published or broadcast (our popular “Beers for Bylines”), or (2) celebrate your birthday on Feb. 29. (heck, once every four years, someone should buy you a drink!)

After our mixer, consider strolling into Walter’s concert space for “Jazz Nights,” a free evening of blues and jazz curated by Asim Nichols. It’s free – no ticket required – and runs from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Details:

On Thursday, Feb. 29, join colleagues and friends to say goodbye to February … on Leap Day. Everyone is invited – chapter member or not – to drop in and enjoy a bevvie + nosh (we’ll buy a few appet…

01/26/2024

The Arizona First Amendment Coalition media hotline is back! At no cost, Arizona professional and student journalists can ask a media lawyer questions re access to , , in . Arizona Press Club Arizona Latino Media Association AAJA Arizona Details:

Serving journalists in the Phoenix metropolitan area since 1958

01/04/2024

Learn basics of : Sign up and attend the webinar, "So You Want to Run a Podcast: An Evening with Sarah Ventre," to learn what it takes to produce a successful . Watch Ventre, a Valley resident, at 5 p.m. Arizona time Monday, Jan. 8. Presented by SPJ's Washington, D.C. chapter. Details, register:

As we are in the middle of the busy-and-getting-busier holiday season, we thought it best to ask you to mark your calendars now for an early January event you won’t want to miss, presented by…

12/14/2023

If you ever wondered about a career in audio journalism, mark your calendars now for an early January webinar you won't want to miss, presented by SPJ's Washington, D.C., chapter.
Don't miss An Evening with Sarah Ventre, 5 p.m. Arizona time Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The webinar, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists D.C. Pro chapter, is free and open to all journalists and journalism students. It will be moderated by D.C. Pro vice president Celia Wexler.
Ventre, a Valley resident and Arizona State University graduate, has been in journalism for about a dozen years.
You may know Ventre from the years her voice was heard on KJZZ-FM, the Phoenix NPR affiliate. She has produced for NPR, PBS, Gimlet, Vox, Critical Frequency, Crooked Media, Campside Media, The African American Policy Forum, Center for Science and the Imagination, and The Moth.
Her podcast, Unfinished: Short Creek, about a fundamentalist Mormon community on the Utah-Arizona border, was named one of 2020’s top podcasts by both The New Yorker and The Atlantic, and her reporting there won an Edward R. Murrow award for journalistic excellence.
Ventre will discuss her career in audio investigative journalism, the perils and promise of embedded reporting, and how she has survived and thrived in a changing media landscape.
Be part of the conversation and come ready to chat with this accomplished journalist and bring your questions. Register for the webinar at:

If you ever wondered about a career in audio journalism, you shouldn’t miss an Evening with Sarah Ventre, 7 p.m. ET Monday, January 8. The webinar, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists DC Pro chapter, is free and open to all journalists and journalism students. It will be moderated...

12/11/2023

Learn how to break into audio journalism with longtime successful Phoenix podcaster Sarah Ventre in a Jan. 8 webinar presented by the Society of Professional Journalists -- Washington DC chapter. Details and registration info are on the SPJ Phoenix chapter website:

As we are in the middle of the busy-and-getting-busier holiday season, we thought it best to ask you to mark your calendars now for an early January event you won’t want to miss, presented by…

12/06/2023

Many thanks to everyone who celebrated the holidays with SPJ Phoenixat last night's Valley Media Holiday Mixer, which lasted an hour longer than we planned! Our appreciation also goes to co-sponsor NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists, and to the great waitstaff at FEZ on Central. The evening featured lots of connections, re-connections and new SPJ members! Happy holidays!