PABJ Summary of Activities held at the NABJ 35th Annual Convention, July 28-Aug. 1, 2010
To view photos of PABJ at the NABJ@35 Convention, go to:
PABJ Networking in San Diego
PABJ & Comcast present "Philly LOVE"
PABJ truly represented at NABJ's 35th Annual Convention & Career Fair in San Diego. PABJ held two signature events during the convention: a networking reception on Friday, July 30 and a Philadelphia Kickoff Celebration on Saturday, July 31. Both events were the talk of the convention week.
The networking reception was done in style, taking place at the Top of the Hyatt on the 40th Floor of the hotel's Harbor Tower. PABJ served hors d'oeurves and gave out free drinks to the first 75 guests. About 225 people attended the event.
The "Philly LOVE" Kickoff Party, presented by PABJ and Comcast, was the official Philly jumpstart celebration for NABJ's 36th Annual Convention, which will take place next year in Philly from Aug. 3-7, 2011. The "Philly LOVE" party in San Diego drew about 1,300 attendees. Free drinks were given out to the first 250 guests, and chips and salsa were served all night. The 40X40 foot dance floor was packed with conventioneers dancing to tunes spun by DJ Wiz of Kid 'N Play and Monie Love, our party host, kept the energy up. What made this party so special is that it was a video mix party, a first for an NABJ convention. While music played, two mega screens had videos playing in sync with the dj's music. In addition, a slideshow of PABJ member photos, Philly photos and sponsor logos and recognition information played throughout the night. The final touches that made this night even moreso special include: Phillies jerseys worn by our DJ and host, six phenomenal raffle items that were the talk of the convention, and XOXO red heart balloons and votive candles throughout the room that were not only lovely, but poignant!
PABJ's convention activities were sponsored by Comcast, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Multicultural Affairs Congress and 6ABC. PABJ is proud and thankful for the organizations' generous support. What makes these partnerships so special is that many of our sponsors are PABJ members and contribute to the great work PABJ is doing in the community throughout the year.
Congratulations to PABJ's convention planning committee, particularly chair Johann Calhoun, and the following members who stepped up throughout the process and executed seamlessly on-site: Sarah Glover, Sandra Long, Arthur Fennell, Rachel Ferguson, Cherri Gregg Mincey, Melanie Burney, Elka Battle, Denise Clay, Chris Murray and Deirdre Childress. Also, a big thanks to those folks and friends of PABJ who pitched in on-site: Patricia Washington, Melanie Johnson, Sandy Clark, Kirk Wardy, Mariya Brewer, Kelly Williams, Jennifer Cunningham, Melony Roy, Rod Hicks, Velvet McNeil, Jeff Guaracino and Timothy Parker. You all sacrificed your full convention experience to help and do the good work that needed to get done on the ground. PABJ just couldn't have been so successful without the help and support of sponsors, members and volunteers... THANK YOU!!!!
Raffle items were donated by the Phillies, NABJ, MAC and GPTMC. PABJ raffled off two Southwest Airline tickets, two 2011 NABJ convention registrations, a signed Jimmy Rollins signed baseball bat, $100 American express card, and a dinner for two. GPTMC, MAC, Lincoln University, Cheyney University, the National Constitution Center, The Philadelphia Sunday Sun, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News were among the businesses that donated items to go into the party giveaway bag.
In addition to all the party efforts, PABJ had sizeable representation on the NABJ Student Projects this year with members volunteering as mentors and students attending as participants.
And if that wasn't enough Philly in San Diego for you... PABJ went on to win the 2010 Chapter of the Year Award, sharing the honors with the co-winner the Tampa Association of Black Journalists. PABJ recently won the award in 2008. In addition, two PABJ members won NABJ Salute to Excellence Awards for their reporting and photography work - Kia Gregory and Sarah Glover respectively.
PABJ looks forward to 2011 as the chapter will be convention hosts for NABJ's 36th Annual Convention which will make its way to Philadelphia. Upwards of 3,000 to 4,000 journalists and media professionals will descend on Philadelphia.
SAVE THE DATE ~ NABJ 36th Annual Convention & Career Fair takes place in Philly from August 3-7, 2011. PABJ will host another phenomenal Philly Party on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011 and continue its good work to promote media diversity!