At the Oct. 12 Fall Board of Directors meeting, NABJ Executive Director Drew Berry recapped the success of the 2024 NABJ Convention & Career Fair, held this summer in Chicago, including details from the convention survey emailed to attendees.
Of 468 respondents, 93% said they would recommend attending the convention to others. Additionally, 91.2% of 477 respondents expressed satisfaction with the convention experience/programming.
“These results are commendable, and we are very happy about that,” said Berry. “Of course, we’d like to reach 100% satisfaction. While only 8.8% of respondents said they were not satisfied overall, we will work on that feedback and continue to make improvements as we normally do on an ongoing basis.”
Respondents also ranked their top topics and session tracks. Investigative reporting, management/leadership, health, climate, political/social justice, entrepreneurship, and writing topped the list.
This year’s convention in Chicago saw a record-breaking 4,336 registrants, making it the largest in NABJ history. The 2019 Miami convention had 4,105 registrants, and the 2023 Birmingham convention hosted 3,606 attendees.
“We’re thrilled about this record and the interest in our conventions,” said Berry, noting that the event far exceeded revenue expectations. “We’re financially strong, growing, and remain relevant.”