SPJ Region 2 Conference 2026
April 18
Check in starts at 11 a.m.
Lunch with keynote speaker begins at noon
(check this site often as details are subject to change)
Journalists today face profound challenges. Press freedom is under pressure around the world, misinformation spreads rapidly, all while the media landscape continues to evolve at breakneck pace. At the same time, the need for strong, ethical journalism has never been greater.
The SPJ Region 2 Conference brings together journalists, students, editors, and media professionals from across SPJ’s Region 2 for a day of conversations, workshops, and connection centered on this year’s theme: Stakes of the Story. As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the conference will explore the enduring role journalism plays in informing the public and strengthening democracy.
Throughout the day, participants will engage with leading journalists and educators on critical issues shaping the profession—from misinformation and investigative tools to storytelling that informs communities and holds power to account. The conference offers an opportunity to sharpen skills, exchange ideas, celebrate award-winning journalism and, importantly, connect with others committed to the craft and responsibility of journalism.
Schedule
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BIOS
11:00 AM Registration opens at VCU’s Academic Learning Common
12:00-1:15 PM Keynote and luncheon Academic Learning Common
1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Session A Workshops at VCU’s Robertson School of Communications
- Vertical Leap: How to connect with audiences through short videos
- Going Solo: You don’t need a job at a news organization to make a living as a journalist
- Pushing Past the FOIA Wall: Data Centers, ICE and Criminal Justice records
3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Session B Workshops at Robertson School of Communications
- Internship-to-Job Pipeline: You need a newsroom internship to break into the news business. This session will show you how to get one.
- Post Post: After The Washington Post laid off more than 300 employees, eliminating its sports desk and cutting back on local news, other media organizations mobilized to help fill the gaps in coverage.
- AI – aye yi yi! How to harness the power of artificial intelligence to improve your journalism and make yourself more marketable.
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mark of Excellence awards at VCU’s Academic Learning Common
5:30-6:30 p.m. Reception at VCU’s Academic Learning Common
Keynote with Eric Deggans
Eric Deggans is the Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, overseeing classes on media issues, ethics and journalism. He also serves as a critic-at-large at NPR, moving into this role in 2025 after serving nearly 12 years as the first full-time TV critic hired by the network, also contributing as a media analyst and guest host.
Eric is also a guest instructor and member of the National Advisory Board for the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, FL, appearing as guest host, interviewer or pundit on shows for CNN, MSNBC, PBS and other outlets. He came to NPR from the Tampa Bay Times newspaper in Florida, where he served as TV/Media Critic and in other roles for nearly 20 years. A professional journalist since 1990, he is the author of Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation, a look at how prejudice, racism and sexism fuels some elements of modern media, published in October 2012 by Palgrave Macmillan.
A native of Gary, Indiana, Eric was inducted in 2024 into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. He has also served as a moderator for discussions organized by the Smithsonian Institution, the National Endowment for the Arts, The National Book Festival, the Chautauqua Institute and the South By Southwest conference. He has earned the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Indiana University – the institution’s highest alumni honor. In 2019, Eric became the first African American to serve as chairman for the jurors who select the George Foster Peabody Awards for excellence in electronic media at the University of Georgia; his one-year tenure capped a total six years he served on the board of jurors.
Getting Here
Registration, keynote and luncheon, awards ceremony will take place at VCU’s Academic Learning Common building
Street parking is available on Cary Street and Main Streets, and nearby side streets. Parking also available at the West Main Street Parking Garage: 801 West Main Street, Richmond VA 23284
Workshops will take place at VCU’s Robertson School of Communications
Directions to Richmond via vehicle
Input one of these two locations into your GPS.
VCU West Cary Street Parking Deck at 1201 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23284
West Main Street Parking Deck at 801 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23284
NOTES:
-You will want to stay on Belvidere and turn right onto Main if coming from Interstate 95.
-Floyd Ave. between N. Cathedral Place and N. Harrison St. is closed until 2 p.m. Saturday because of a race.
-There is on street parking for free on weekends, as available. There will be more traffic than usual because of a race (which should be wrapping up by start time.)
Directions to Richmond via train
Disembark at Richmond Main Street Station, 1500 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219 (closest) or the Richmond Staples Mill Road Amtrak Station, Dumbarton, VA 23228.
Rideshare options: Uber, Lyft
Taxi:
- Veteran’s Cab: (804) 275-5542
- Richmond Taxi: (804) 938-7967
- Henrico Taxi: (804) 517-4000
Directions to Lunch, and Workshops after parking
- After you park, walk over to 1000 Floyd Avenue for check in and lunch. Apple Maps location. Google Maps location.
- Afternoon workshops will be held at the Richard T. Robertson School of Mass Communication, at 901 W. Main Street. Apple Maps location. Google Maps location.
Richmond Food, Drink and Hotel List:
Nearby coffee:
Abi’s Books and Brews, 1212 1/2 W. Cary St. 2 blocks from campus
Alchemy Coffee, 814 W. Broad St. on campus
Blanchards – multiple locations. Closest to campus is on Morris St.
Lift – 218 W. Broad St. (close to campus)
Qahwah House, 900 W. Franklin St. (on campus)
Starbucks — Cabell Library, on campus, 901 Park Ave.
Nearby dining options:
821 Cafe – Comfort food, vegan options and outstanding brunch options.
825 W Cary St
Chef MaMusa’s Africanne on Main: Buffet-style African and soul food from established chef. Lake trout, collards, chicken, corn bread, shrimp.
1102 W Main St, RICHMOND.
Village Cafe: Funky local institution since 1956 for eclectic comfort fare & an offbeat mix of characters.
1001 W Grace St, Richmond, VA 23220
Cobra Cabana: Easygoing bar offering cocktails, plus brunch, sandwiches, burgers & light bites
901 W Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23220
Lillie Pearl: Laid-back eatery whipping up classic Southern comfort food such as burgers, ribs, seafood & cobbler.
305 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23220
Perly’s: Jewish restaurant and delicatessen serving “traditional Jewish cuisine with a twist.” In the heart of downtown. Open for breakfast and lunch.
111 E. Grace St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Nightlife:
Get Tight Lounge: Easygoing hangout with pit beef sandwiches, cocktails and live music.
1104 W. Main Street. (One block from VCU campus).
Brave Captain: Cozy neighborhood bar with a lived-in vibe. The menu boasts vegan options and drink menu features crowd-pleasing beers and classic cocktails like a Dark ‘n’ Stormy and Painkiller.
729 W. Cary Street. (One block from VCU campus).
Bingo Beer: Bingo Beer Co is a lager-focused brewery located on Broad Street in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition neighborhood. Brewery, Arcade, games, events, and patio fun.
2900 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230.
River City Roll: Boutique bowling alley with 20 lanes, upscale food and beverage, brick oven pizza, live music and a 2000 square foot covered patio.
939 Myers St, Richmond, VA 23230
Fanboy: Fanboy is an intimate cocktail bar + vinyl listening room. The Broad Street oasis features a rotating dinner menu, funky wine selection.
2713 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
The Camel: RVA’s destination for live music. Serving great food available late night. 28 Local and Craft Beers on Tap. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday at 11am
1621 W. Broad Street
Hotels:
Hilton Richmond Downtown:
501 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
0.82 from VCU campus
Graduate by Hilton Richmond:
301 W. Franklin Street
0.32 from VCU campus
Linden Row Inn
0.56 from VCU campus
Holiday Inn Express Richmond
201 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23219
(0.57 from VCU campus)
The Jefferson Hotel
A five star Richmond classic
101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220
(1 mile from VCU campus)
Quirk Hotel
Quirkhotels.com
201 W Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220
For more food, drink, hotel information and Richmond attractions. please visit venturerichmond.com
days
hours minutes seconds
until
Stakes of the Story | SPJ Region 2 Conference
SPJVA Today 
You must be logged in to post a comment.