Program Schedule
(subject to change)
 
31st Journalism Opportunities Conference
Millennium Biltmore Hotel

506 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 624-1011
(between Grand and Olive, and between 5th and 6th streets)
(Pershing Square station on subway)
click here for directions
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THURSDAY

9 a.m.
Registration (Galeria)
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10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Job Fair ( Emerald Room)
"Healthy Breakfast" courtesy of The California Wellness Foundation
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10 a.m. to noon
Workshop (Corinthian Room)
TV Video Resumes Critiques
News media professionals–including news producers and agents–provide constructive criticism of TV audition tapes submitted by participants in a classroom setting.

Moderator:       Vince Gonzales, KCET-TV, Los Angeles
Panelists:         Al Corral, Agent, Mendes Napoli and Associates
                          Millie Martinez, Executive Producer, KABC-TV
                          Melissa Van Fleet, Agent, Ken Lindner and Associates
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10 a.m. to noon
Workshop (Roman Room)
Census 2010: Why It Matters
The Census count begins next year, and with the changing demographics in the country, the 2010 count may be the most important ever.  Census officials provide tips on how to navigate its Web site for information and statistics, and explain what the numbers mean.

Presenter:         Henry Mendoza, Census Bureau Rep

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Noon to 2 p.m. (Gold Room)
USC Luncheon
(Invitation only)
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2 to 4 p.m.
Workshop (Corinthian Room)
Resume Writing and Interviewing Tips
What should and shouldn’t be on your resume? What should and shouldn’t you say in a job interview? How should you dress? These and other tips are provided by people who know the answers.

Panelists:        Doris Quesada, Manager, Human Resources, KTLA-TV
                         Randy Hagihara, METPRO Director, Los Angeles Times

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2 to 4 p.m.
Workshop (Roman Room)
Social Networking for Journalists
Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace and other social media are not just for telling your friends you are sitting on the porch. Journalists utilize them to find sources, spot trends, get more exposure and break stories.

Instructor:      Robert Lopez, Multimedia Journalist, Los Angeles Times

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FRIDAY

 9 a.m.
Registration (Galeria)
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9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Plenary (Athenian Room)
"Debunking Myths about the Swine, er, H1N1 Flu"
sponsored by The California Wellness Foundation
As many as 90,000 people may be killed by the new influenza strain, but misconceptions about it are still floating around. Health experts provide the real skinny about the virus so journalists can  tell accurate stories.

Presenter:      Dr. Laurene Mascola, Chief of Acute Communicable Disease Control Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

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10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Job Fair (Emerald Room)
"Healthy Breakfast" courtesy of The California Wellness Foundation    
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10:15 a.m. to 12 noon
Workshop (Grecian Room)
 “Reporting Health Stories from any Beat”
With all the cutbacks at media outlets, many reporters are being asked to cover multiple beats. The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) provides tips on how to find those stories and how to write them without being an expert.

Moderator:      Pia Christensen, AHCJ Managing Editor/Online Services
Panelists:        Deborah Crowe, Los Angeles Business Journal
                         Randy Dotinga, Independent Journalist/Contributor, VoiceofSanDiego.com
                         Jennifer Muir, Orange County Register

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10 a.m. to noon
Workshop (Athenian Room)
Social Networking for Journalists
Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other social media are not just for telling friends you are sitting on the porch. Journalists utilize them to find sources, spot trends, get more exposure and break stories.

Instructor:      Robert Hernandez, Asst. professor of Professional Practice, USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism

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10 a.m. to noon
Workshop (Bernards)
Shooting Video for Broadcast and the Web
In the last few years traditional media has seen a sea change in how journalism is covered. Given all the new technologies this workshop will explore the techniques of journalism in a digital age. You will hear from two digital journalists working for CBS News and Channel One who have made the transition to digital journalism.  See the types of stories they cover and the equipment they use to stay competitive in a new journalism age.

Moderator:      Eleanore Vega, Bureau Chief, CBS News Los Angeles
Panelists:        Toni Deaztlan, Digital Reporter, Channel One
                         Brandon Jacobsen, CBS News
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Noon to 2 p.m.
Luncheon (Gold room)
Speaker::      Robert Hernandez, Asst. professor of Professional Practice, USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism

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2:15 to 4 p.m.
Workshop (Athenian Room)
Blogging 101
Whether you are on your own or working for a company, blogging can help you establish an online presence. Learn about which free tools are available to blog and how to keep your journalistic ideals.

Moderator:       Michael Martinez, Freelance Journalist
Panelists:         Marc Cooper, Director, Annenberg Digital News
                          Craig Matsuda, SocialMedia.com
                          Jesus Sanchez, the eastsiderLA.com
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2:15 to 4 p.m.
Workshop (Grecian Room)
Cultural Competency in Reporting on Health
With the changing demographics in this country, understanding cultural differences is not only important to health professional but to journalists to fully and accurately report health stories.

Moderator:      Julio Moran, Executive Director, CCNMA
Panelists:        Dr. Steven P. Wallace, Associate Director, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
                         Dr. Albert Pacheco, Executive Director, Clinica Romero

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2:15 to 4 p.m.
Workshop (Bernards)
Backpack Journalism
Learn how to produce multimedia content for breaking news, and what gear and tools you'll need to do it.

Instructor:         Robert Lopez, Multimedia Journalist, Los Angeles Times

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