Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow) – June 27, 2024 – For the first time in 50 years the Arkansas Press Association is meeting in Jonesboro for its annual convention.
Embracing the theme “Sharing the News, Shining the Light” the convention kicked off with a reception Thursday night in the Woodard McAlister Family Club at Centennial Bank Stadium at Arkansas State University. Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Jeff Purinton and Chancellor Todd Shields and his wife, Karen, welcomed the visitors at the kickoff reception. The reception was followed by a tour of the Centennial Bank Athletics Operations Center.
A question-and-answer session with Shields will highlight the Friday luncheon during the convention.
Retired Jonesboro Sun Editor and former President of the Arkansas Press Association, Roy Ockert, said he is excited to be able to host the convention in Jonesboro. “I attended the 1974 convention here as a professor at Arkansas State University,” Ockert said. “In 1966 the convention was here on the eve of the birth of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.”
Guy Tasaka is a speaker scheduled on Saturday. Tasaka writes a column in Editor & Publisher Magazine. He will present “Local media 3.0 — How to Build for the Future.”
The convention is being hosted at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Red Wolf Convention Center.