Registration

How the conference sustains our mission

The ONA annual conference offers a platform for thousands of journalists, technologists, newsroom leaders and other changemakers to be in community and shape the industry’s future. We rely on proceeds from the conference to carry out our mission to inspire and support innovation and excellence in digital journalism. It’s the primary fundraiser that allows us to provide free learning and networking events, fellowships, training for local organizers, toolkits and other actionable resources all year.

When you register for a conference pass, your contribution goes a long way toward keeping the ONA community thriving.

To keep the conference as accessible as possible, we offer discounted rates for ONA members, groups and students. We also offer hundreds of scholarships and volunteer opportunities that provide complimentary passes.

What’s new for ONA22

ONA22 will have that familiar ONA energy, but look noticeably different as we deliver a truly hybrid event. We are incorporating new ways to engage with sessions live and beyond the conference; significantly expanding learning and networking access for remote attendees; developing new resources to welcome first-timers to the community; refreshing the Midway exhibit space and more.

Our new approach to registration reflects how the conference is evolving. Most notably, we are introducing organization size categories to offer lower rates to people from independent and smaller organizations.

Ultimately, we want you to select the pass that best fits you and your organization and ensures you can join us at ONA22. To determine your size category, consider the total number of employees who work on news, including technical and sales staff. We don’t review or verify your selection. If you are paying your own way that will not be reimbursed by an employer, you also have the option to choose the most affordable category for you. If your organization would like to contribute scholarships, email jessica@journalists.org.

Organization size categories for ONA22 registration pricing:

• Small Org: 50 or fewer employees and freelancers
• Medium Org: 51-250 employees
• Large Org: 250+ employees

Registration policies

Code of Conduct

We aim to create a friendly, vibrant learning environment for all. Conference attendees, sponsors, vendors, speakers, volunteers, ONA staff and others participating in the event are expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct.

Accessibility

Accessibility is a major consideration in all ONA programs and events. For ONA22, we are compiling detailed information about what to expect in terms of accessibility at the host hotel in Los Angeles and on our virtual conference platform. We will continue to update the page leading up to the conference as we learn more about our capabilities. We also engage with attendees individually about any requests during the registration process.

Organization Size Categories

Organization size categories offer lower rates to small and medium size news outlets, journalism education programs and support organizations. Select your size category based on the total number of your organization’s full-time or equivalent employees who work on news, even indirectly, including ad sales reps, technical staff and/or a business development department.

If you represent a news-related technology company or a journalism organization that has a parent company not involved in news production (e.g., Microsoft owns Microsoft News), you only need to account for staff working on news production.

For communications or journalism schools, please account for communications/journalism school staff, rather than the total size of your institution.

Organization size categories for ONA22:

• Small Org: 50 or fewer employees and freelancers
• Medium Org: 51-250 employees
• Large Org: 250+ employees

Group Registration

Groups of 10 people or more registering together receive a $50 discount per ticket. If you would like to purchase a group of registrations at the ONA member rate for a further discount, or if you need an invoice to purchase tickets, email registration@journalists.org.

Student Registration

Student registrations are reserved for high school, college and university students, including undergraduate, graduate and associate degree students. Student attendees should include the name of their affiliated educational institution in the Organization field of the registration form. Graduate students who are employed full time and students in certificate programs are not eligible for student registration.

Complimentary Passes

There are several opportunities to get involved with ONA22 and receive complimentary registration, including through fellowships, scholarships and volunteering. Subscribe to the ONA22 newsletter for updates.

Refunds and Transfers

We understand plans can change. If you are unable to attend the conference, we’ll do our best to support you.

Non-attendance does not constitute a cancellation.

All refunds and transfers for ONA22 registrations or OJA tickets must be requested by Friday, Sept. 9. You will have the option to receive a credit for ONA23 or a refund. After that date, we will honor refund requests due to emergencies, including COVID-19 exposure, through Sept. 30, 2022.

Through July 31, there is no fee for any registration or OJA ticket refund or transfer. Administrative fees apply from Aug. 1. Read the full policy and how to request a refund or transfer.

Online Journalism Awards

The conference will close with a celebration of the year’s best in digital journalism during the 2022 Online Journalism Awards Ceremony and Banquet. We will honor finalists and announce winners during the ceremony on the evening of Sept. 24. The event is available to all conference attendees at an additional fee. You can add on tickets to the OJAs when purchasing your conference passes.

Note: Submissions to the 2022 OJAs are open May 5–June 9. Learn more about the awards.