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2026 Journalism Conferences: Must-Attend for News Enthusiasts
Category
Opportunities
Written by
Indiegraf Staff
December 24, 2024
As the calendar turns over, it’s time to begin making plans for 2026. This year is packed to the brim with events and conferences targeting every corner of the media industry. Whether you’re an emerging professional looking for networking opportunities or a newsroom leader looking to connect with peers and influence conversations, there’s a perfect conference waiting for you.
We’ve put together a list of every industry conference we could think of and collected all the details you need in one place so that you can start planning out your year. We’ll be updating this guide as we come across new events so be sure to bookmark this post and check back regularly for updates. Is there a journalism and publishing event or conference that we missed? Send an email to hello@indiegraf.com to let us know!
Before we get into the list, here are a few significant changes worth highlighting:
- The Online News Association’s annual conference, typically held in the fall, has shifted to spring. You’ll find details for it in April.
- The Asian American Journalists Association National Convention has shifted to June instead of its usual spot in August.
- The Radio Television Digital News Association has canceled its annual conference for 2026. Instead they’ve announced a “World Tour” in 2026 which will see them partnering with other major industry conferences (including most on this list) to have a significant presence and unique cross programming.
Here’s a comprehensive list of events to look out for in 2026!
⚡ Quick navigation guide
February
Knight Media Forum 2026
When: February 10–13, 2026
Where: Miami, Florida
Cost: N/A (Invite Only)
Website: knightfoundation.org
The Knight Media Forum brings together practitioners on the frontlines of local journalism, civic engagement, research, academia, and the arts. It includes funders, policy makers, and thought leaders and is focused on advancing local solutions for journalism with national applications.
Invitees can find more information here.
March
NICAR26: Annual Data Journalism Conference
When: March 5–8, 2026
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: $425 USD (professional, academic, associate and retiree), $250 USD (early career), $250 USD (fulltime freelancers, unemployed)
Website: ire.org/training/conferences/nicar-2026/
Cohosted by Investigative Reporters & Editors and the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting, NICAR focuses on providing training and networking opportunities for those looking to break into data reporting or level-up their skills. The conference is open to IRE members active by April 1st, 2026 only.
Digiday Publishing Summit 2025
When: March 23–25, 2026
Where: Vail, Colorado
Cost: Early rate prices until February 9. $3,895 USD to $5,245 USD.
Website: digiday.com/events/digiday-publishing-summit-march-2026/
The annual Digiday Publishing Summit brings together decision makers across media publishing and technology to strategize on means of pushing the industry forward. This year’s topics focus on AI visibility, audience strategy, and revenue models as well as issues of IP protection from AI scraping. Confirmed speakers include Allison Murphy (AXIOS) and more.
ONA26 (Online News Association)
When: March 30–April 1, 2026
Where: Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Current tier of early bird pricing ends February 26. $495 USD (member), $675 USD (non-member), $150 USD (student member), $175 USD (student non-member).
Website: ona26.journalists.org
The Online News Association is moving from the fall to the spring this year. It’s a gathering for digital news leaders to collaborate on insights and help build the next iteration of digital media. Confirmed speakers include Beatrice Peterson (ABC News), Angela Pacienza (The Globe and Mail), Hilary Flores and Nissa Rhee (Borderless Magazine), Mariah Craddick (The Atlantic) and many more.
America’s Newspapers Mega-Conference 2026
When: March 30–April 1, 2026
Where: Austin, Texas
Cost: Early bird prices, deadline TBA. $499 USD (member, full conference), $850 (non-member, full conference)
Website: mega-conference.com
Hosted by America’s Newspapers Foundation, this conference focused on the business of the media industry, focused on publishing professionals, media executives, department heads, and leading media innovators. Programming for this year is focused on revenue models that perform, digital tools that deliver, and partnerships that move the business forward.
April
MJC26 (Midwest Journalism Conference)
When: April 10–11, 2026
Where: Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota
Cost: Early bird pricing ends March 27. $295 USD (Full Conference, Professional or Educator), $220 USD (Full Conference, Student or Retiree).
Website: midwestjournalism.com
The 2026 Midwest Journalism Conference features two days of training sessions and networking opportunities aimed at journalists in the Midwest. A wealth of programming available for journalism students and emerging professionals including a career and college fair.
IJF26 (International Journalism Festival)
When: April 15–18, 2026
Where: Perugia, Italy
Cost: Free
Website: journalismfestival.com
The International Journalism Festival is the biggest annual media event in Europe, held annually in the city of Perugia and free to anyone interested in attending sessions on a first-come-first-served basis. Programming for the first three days is in English. For those unable to make it to Italy the majority of the program is live streamed on IJF’s Youtube Channel, and archived on their website.
DemocracyXChange 2026
When: April 16–18, 2026
Where: Virtual and in-person Toronto, Ontario
Cost: $25 CAD (Virtual), $75.00 CAD (In-person, Independent), $150.00 (In-person, Organization - Per Person)
Website: democracyxchange.org/event-details/dxc26
Co-hosted by OCAD University, Open Democracy Project and the Dais at TMU, DemocracyXChange gathers leading decision-makers, advocates, and innovators from Canada and around the world and focuses on driving bold action to strengthen and protect democracy. Join for three days of keynote speakers, panels and workshops, created to both examine and tackle today’s most urgent civic issues.
American Society of Journalists and Authors Conference
When: April 20–24, 2026
Where: Virtual
Cost: Early Bird Rate until Feb 15. $259 USD (members), $329 USD (non-members)
Website: asja.org/2026-asja-conference
Hosted by the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the 2026 conference will have three tracks: Journalism, Books, and Content Marketing Writing with a dozen 50-minute sessions per track. While held virtually this year, the conference still promises plenty of networking and social experiences for industry professionals. ASJA professional members can choose to add on Client Connections, the organization’s signature networking event, where they can meet with top-tier digital and print editors, content marketing agencies and literary agents.
ACES 2026 (The Society of Editing)
When: April 23–25, 2026
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Cost: $575 USD (member), $775 USD (non-member), $199 (student member), $299 (student non-member)
Website: aceseditors.org/conference/aces-2026-atlanta
ACES: The Society for Editing’s annual conference is a place for editors to build skills and connect with peers.The programming is focused on practical training and community building for editing professionals across the media landscape.
May
INMA World Congress of News Media
When: May 4–8, 2026
Where: Berlin, Germany
Cost: Current tier of early bird pricing ends February 6. €1,950 (member), €2,805 (non-member).
Website: inma.org/modules/event/2026WorldCongress
Hosted by the International News Media Association, the annual INMA Congress is aimed at senior management from the leading news media companies in 50+ countries: CEOs, publishers, general managers, digital leaders, advertising executives, audience executives, marketing executives, editors, product professionals, and researchers. This year already has a full slate of confirmed speakers and attendees.
CJS26 (Collaborative Journalism Summit)
When: May 14–15, 2026
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $249.99 USDS
Website: https://summit.collaborativejournalism.org/
Now in its tenth year, the Collaborative Journalism Summit is a fast-paced event focused on sharing and learning that brings together journalists, funders, community leaders and advocates for two days of intensive learning, networking, and strategizing around the future of collaborative and partnership-driven journalism.
Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit
When: May 18–20, 2026
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: Free
Website: lenfestinstitute.org
Co-hosted by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism and Press Forward, the Summit gathers local news fundraising professionals from around the world. It offers journalism development professionals a chance to connect with peers, participate in hands-on workshops, and sharpen their fundraising skills. While it’s free to attend, it’s invite-only. The event is at capacity now but those interested are encouraged to join the waitlist for priority access if spots open.
June
Canadian Association of Journalists Annual Conference
When: June 12–13, 2026
Where: Ottawa, Ontario
Cost: TBA
Website: caj.ca/programs/conferences/upcoming-conferences
Each year, the Canadian Association of Journalist’s national conference brings together journalists (both members and non-members) from across the country for two days of professional development workshops, panel discussions and networking. This year’s event will be hosted at Carleton University in Ottawa.
INN Days (Institute For Nonprofit News)
When: June 16–18, 2026
Where: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cost: TBA
Hosted by the Institute For Nonprofit News, INN Days brings together news leaders, technologists and business strategists to identify and solve the nonprofit news field’s toughest challenges. This is an opportunity for decision-makers to dive deep and learn practical strategies for strengthening news as a public good. Registration for INN Days and the Nonprofit News Awards will open on February 6.
Investigative Reporters and Editors Conference 2025
When: June 18–21, 2026
Where: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Early bird registration ends May 4. $325 USD (professional, academic, associate and retiree), $150 USD (early career), $150 USD (fulltime freelancers, unemployed)
Website: ire.org
The IRE national conference is packed with panels, workshops and roundtables covering the latest developments in investigative journalism. Attendees can expect three and a half days of take-home tips, hands-on training, and networking opportunities.
AAJA26 (The Asian American Journalists Association National Convention)
When: June 24–28, 2026
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cost: TBA
Website: aaja.org
This year’s AAJA will be taking place in the early, as opposed to late, summer, a shift announced by the association on Facebook to improve the experience for attendees. The annual gathering is a multi‑day event that brings together journalists, newsroom leaders, students, media innovators, and storytellers from across the U.S. and Asia. It serves as both a professional conference and a community hub, offering training, networking, and conversations about the future of journalism.
July
Association for Alternative Newsmedia Publishers Conference
When: July 8–10, 2026
Where: Palm Springs, California
Cost: $299-$899 USD
Website:https://2026.aan.org/
The Association for Alternative Newsmedia Publishers is a organization representing over 120 news media organizations throughout North America. Their annual conference for independent publishers and journalists focuses on peer-learning, business and editorial strategies for local news, and workshops.
SRCCON 2025
When: July 8–9, 2026
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cost: TBA
Website: srccon.org/#about-srccon-events
Produced by Open News, SRRCON events are highly participatory and inclusive, where people who care deeply about journalism and their communities are empowered to dig into complex problems. Hands-on sessions, conversations, and workshops are focused on the practical challenges that news technology and data teams encounter every day. Subscribe to their newsletter for updates.
National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference and Expo 2026
When: July 22–25, 2026
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Cost: Early bird pricing ends March 31. $325 USD (professional member), $200 (student member), $200 (retired member), $525 (professional non-member), $250 (student non-member)
Website: nahjconference.org
The NAHJ offers career development opportunities with leading Hispanic journalists and media professionals. Attendees gain valuable insights on storytelling, media trends, and diversity in journalism. The Career Expo offers emerging Hispanic journalists and media professionals an opportunity to connect with publications, nonprofits, and higher education opportunities.
Indigenous Media Conference 2025
When: July 22–24, 2026
Where: Portland, Oregon, on the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Wasco, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla and present-day Grande Ronde, Siletz and Cowlitz.
Cost: TBA (Registration to open in March)
Website: indigenousjournalists.org
The Indigenous Media Conference is an annual event designed to not only provide a space for Indigenous media professionals to connect, but it’s also an opportunity for non-Indigenous settlers to equip themselves with the tools and information required when reporting on and about Indigenous communities.
August
NABJ 2026 Convention and Career Fair (National Association of Black Journalists)
When: August 12–16, 2026
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Cost: Early bird pricing ends April 1. $150-$500 USD.
Website: nabjconvention.com
The National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair is NABJ’s premier annual gathering. The multi‑day event that brings together thousands of journalists, media executives, students, communicators, and industry partners. It’s one of the largest journalism conventions in the United States and a cornerstone of professional development, community building, and advocacy for Black media professionals.
Local Media Association Signature Summer Event 2026
When: August 18–20, 2026
Where: Chicago, Illinois
Cost: TBA
Website: localmedia.org
LMA works with 3,000+ newspapers, broadcasters, digital news sites and R&D partners to help achieve their business goals. Their annual gathering is held each August and is designed for media executives, revenue strategists, digital leaders, and innovators in local news. It focuses on the future of local media, revenue growth, sustainability, and industry collaboration.
September
NLGJA 2026 National Convention (The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists)
When: September 10–13, 2026
Where: San Francisco, California
Cost: $495 USD (basic registration), $240 USD (student registration)
Website: members.nlgja.org/event/nlgja26
NLGJA’s annual national convention gathers more than 700 LGBTQ+ journalists, news executives, communications professionals and educators. The three-day conference features networking opportunities, workshops and discussions on creating safer spaces for queer reporters.
ISOJ 2026 (International Symposium on Journalism)
When: September 17–18, 2026
Where: Virtual and in-person Austin, Texas
Cost: TBA
Website: isoj.org
The International Symposium on Journalism (ISOJ) is an annual gathering of journalists, media executives, and scholars from around the world to discuss the ongoing impact of the digital revolution on journalism. For updates, sign up for the ISOJ newsletter.
October
News Product Alliance Summit 2026
When: October 21–23, 2026
Where: Chicago
Cost: TBA
Website: newsproduct.org
The News Product Alliance Summit is a hands-on event purpose-built for news leaders to strengthen their expertise in product management while collaborating to tackle shared challenges and uncover innovative solutions to the most pressing issues in the field. Tickets will be available soon for purchase, and attendees also have the chance to contribute to this year's program. The call for session proposals will open in March 2026. Subscribe to their mailing list for updates.
Are you excited about the possibilities of journalism in 2026? Share this comprehensive guide to 2026’s top journalism conferences and networking media events with friends and colleagues who share your passion. Let’s inspire each other and drive positive change in the industry!
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