Guest blog: An invitation to the SIPA convention March 3-5 in Columbia, South Carolina

My name is Larry Steinmetz and I am on the executive board for the Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA). I would like to personally invite you and your publications to join our SIPA family. We have a couple of events coming up.

First, SIPA has been a champion of high school journalism in the south for 98 years. As we approach that magic 100, we want to boost our membership in our unique organization. As someone who routinely takes students to JEA/NSPA and CSPA, I can tell you firsthand that those organizations are great, but with conferences routinely pushing 5,000, your kids can often get lost in the shuffle. Our March convention is in the 400-600 range and is built around building relationships. We connect with other member schools in a meaningful way. Advisers develop a steady PLC of advisers within their region that they can call on. In addition, our staffs connect in a supportive way and often network with their peers throughout the year for critiques and a hand when needed.

The CONVENTION is March 3-5 in Columbia, South Carolina. Events are conducted at the Columbia Marriott and the University of South Carolina Journalism School.

- Our keynote speaker is Bobby Hawthorne. If you haven't had the chance to hear Bobby, you are missing out on hearing one of the finest writing teachers in the country. If you have already heard Bobby, you simply can't miss out on this opportunity for your kids to be able to connect with him on a more personal level. In addition to Bobby, we'll have speakers from all over that will help build your publication.

- Need photography help? ATPIs Mark Murray will be on hand.

- Broadcast? David Knight and AJ Chambers will be working alongside your students.

- Leadership and Staff Building? David Ragsdale and Erin Coggins are among the best.

- Looking to build your New Voices coalition? SPLC's Hillary Davis will be there working to build strategies with your kids to pass legislation.

This is not a sit and get convention. In fact, our TOP (Team On-Site Production) competition pits teams of your students reporting in the field and building coverage products while competing against other schools. This unique offering can't be found at other conventions.

CONTESTS - In addition to our convention, we have robust contests. Our writing contest deadline is December 15. (The form is attached.) We also have a visual contest in the spring. There are tons of categories to meet all of your staff needs. Any member school can enter and entries are just $5 each. Come see if your staff has what it takes to stand out in the south.

Memberships are always available here. Let me know if you have any questions. I would love to answer them. On behalf of all of us, we would love to welcome you. Hopefully we'll See Y'all at SIPA.