Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
It’s easy to find reasons not to attend industry events. There is always more work to do and stepping away can feel like something you just can’t afford right now. That’s the reality for a lot of us. But showing up still matters.
Missouri Press just wrapped MPAME last week and it was a good reminder of the value of these gatherings. Attendees were engaged, supportive and eager to learn. Next up is the Kevin Jones 1st Amendment Golf Classic, followed by the Show-Me Press Association annual meeting, both in early June.
All of this builds toward the 160th MPA Convention and Annual Tradeshow in September.
The golf tournament carries a little more weight for me now. Kevin was a strong believer in showing up. He took me under his wing when I joined the board and gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me. Come to every meeting with at least one idea. It didn’t have to be perfect, but you had to be engaged. That mindset fits here.
These events serve a purpose that is hard to replicate anywhere else. They bring together people who understand the work and the challenges that come with it. In an industry where many of us are working with small staffs, it is easy to feel like you are on your own.
Getting in the same room changes that. A lot of the value comes from simple conversations. You hear what is working. You hear what is not. You get a chance to ask questions you might not otherwise ask. More often than not, you leave with something you can actually use.
Over time, these conversations turn into relationships. The more you attend, the more familiar faces you see. These connections become people you can reach out to when you need a second opinion or just want to talk something through. That kind of support matters, especially in an environment where it can feel like you are figuring things out on your own.
And that’s really the point. These events remind us that we are not doing this alone. At the same time, the reasons people skip them are real. Time away from the office is hard to manage. Budgets are tight. Pulling someone off the sales floor or out of the newsroom has a ripple effect. None of that is lost on anyone.
But if we believe in the value of these events, then we also have to be willing to address those barriers. I intend to work with the board to explore sponsorship opportunities that can help offset the cost of attendance. We are also thinking seriously about how we bring younger professionals into the organization. If it means helping cover the cost for someone to attend for the first time, it is worth considering. We need new people in the room and that only happens if we make it possible for them to be there.
September will be here before we know it. There is still time to plan, to budget and to make attendance a priority. Kevin’s advice still applies. Show up. Bring something with you. Be part of it.
