By Will Racke
Medill News Service
Business reporters and editors from across the country gathered Thursday night for the SABEW 2016 annual conference, which kicked off with a welcome reception at the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia. The reception was a prelude to two days of networking and training sessions with prominent business leaders and journalists.
Andrew Leckey, president of the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism and a professor at Arizona State University, welcomed attendees and encouraged them to make the most of the conference.
SABEW officers and members are excited about this year’s lineup, which features panels on a number of timely topics and newsmakers.
“All of the keynote speakers are amazing,” said Crystal Beasley, SABEW’s membership, marketing and event coordinator. “The Labor Secretary [Thomas Perez] will be fantastic.”
Also featured will Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron, who will join Bankrate.com Washington Bureau Chief Mark Hamrick to discuss Baron’s career in journalism, from leading the Boston Globe’s investigation of sexual abuse by Catholic priests to the transformation of the Post under new owner Jeff Bezos.
SABEW executive director Kathleen Graham said the mix of training, learning opportunities and presence of newsmakers will make this year’s conference valuable for all attendees.
“There is something for everybody, it depends on what interests you,” she said. “People can leave here with a good story and new skills.”
The spring conference runs through Saturday night, concluding with a reception celebrating the winners of SABEW’s 21st annual Best in Business awards.
Keep checking back for highlights of the conference.
