Countdown to convention!
Program
9:45 - 10:15 a.m. | Potter Digital Ambassadors
1:15-1:30 p.m. | Iowa Public Notice's Reporting Project/Pathway to Transparency
2:45-3:30 p.m. | Ice Cream Break & Owner/Publisher Roundtable
5:00-6:00 p.m. | Awards Ceremony Reception
6:00 p.m. | INA Awards Ceremony Sponsored by Iowa State University
8:30-10:30 p.m. | Presidential and MEP/DSA Receptions
Speakers
Dr. LaDrina Wilson, founder and CEO of IMAN Consulting, is a leadership trainer and coach, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant, professional development speaker, and a highly sought-after community leader. She is deeply committed to inspiring true inclusive leadership.
Dr. LaDrina Wilson
Melissa Wind is the Head of Philanthropic Partnerships at the Minnesota Star Tribune where she led the organization’s launch into philanthropic initiatives, guided by its mission “to build a better Minnesota by connecting us with the people, ideas, and stories that strengthen our communities.”
Melissa Wind
Casey J. Nickel has clerked for now Senate President Amy Sinclair, worked as a Field Director for the Iowa Senate Majority Fund, and interned with the Iowa Senate Republican Caucus Staff. She has also worked in the United States Senate before returning to Iowa to take a position as a Client Services Coordinator for the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
Casey Nickel
Tyson Bird is the Editorial Product Manager for American City Business Journals. In this role, he works with newsrooms across the country to develop products that enhance workflow, engage readers, and generate new revenue. He previously worked as a product manager for GateHouse Media (now Gannett) and Texas Highways magazine.
Tyson Bird
Dr. Andrea Frantz specializes in First Amendment law, journalism ethics, and writing. She advises BVU's chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists and serves on its national Executive Council. Recently, she was invited to teach at the First Amendment Institute in Washington D.C. She regularly presents on media law issues at the national CMA conference.
Dr. Andrea Frantz
Mollie Muchna is the project manager at Trusting News. Before joining the Trusting News team in 2019, she primarily worked in audience and engagement roles in local newsrooms in Arizona and Colorado. She is currently based in Tucson, Arizona, where she has also worked as an adjunct instructor at the University of Arizona's School of Journalism.
Mollie Muchna
Chris Snider is a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Drake University in Des Moines, where he teaches social media and digital media courses. He's also co-founder of the AI education company Innovation Profs. Prior to Drake, Chris was a journalist in Baltimore, St. Louis and Des Moines where he started Juice magazine in 2005.
Chris Snider
Jake Daniels started his filmmaking journey in 2020 and fell in love with the craft. He founded Mediaverse Studios with the goal of providing resources and development to the entire midwest filmmaking community. He's thrilled the community has received it well and is extremely grateful for the brilliance, creativity, and hard work his team brings to the table.
Jake Daniels
Dustin Miller founded a nonprofit focused on community and economic development in South Dakota. He later worked in Washington, D.C., with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Tribal Relations before returning to Iowa in 2012 to represent more than 900 cities at the Iowa League of Cities. Since 2016, he has served as executive director of the Iowa Chamber Alliance.
Dustin Miller
Joey Young is one of the majority owners of Kansas Publishing Ventures, which oversees the publication of three weekly newspapers. Known for innovative approach to business--and are the subject of the book "Reviving Rural News." He is also one of the creators of the Earn Your Press Pass, on demand journalism training.
Joey Young
Lindsey Young is one of the majority owners of Kansas Publishing Ventures, which oversees the publication of three weekly newspapers. Known for innovative approach to business--and are the subject of the book "Reviving Rural News." She is also one of the creators of the Earn Your Press Pass, on demand journalism training.
Lindsey Young
Bridget Sibthorp-Moecker is the Director of Audience at BLOX Digital, overseeing subscription strategy and the Audience+ Smart Paywall for 2,000+ partners. A former Director of Digital Subscriptions at Lee Enterprises with 15 years of industry experience, she was named one of Editor & Publisher’s "Top 25 Under 35" and is a veteran of the Google News Initiative and Facebook Accelerator.
Bridget Sibthorp-Moecker
Registration
IOWA NEWSPAPER
ASSOCIATION REGISTRATION
*use discount code INVOICECONV to be invoiced
IOWA COLLEGE MEDIA
ASSOCIATION REGISTRATION
*use discount code INVOICEICMA to be invoiced
LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION REGISTRATION
Wednesday, February 4th, 2026
Iowa Taproom, Des Moines, Iowa
Reserve a table at our awards ceremony for $200. 2 bottles of wine included.
Email ina@inanews.com to reserve TODAY!
*Early bird rates until January 22, 2026
Hotel reservation
Des Moines Marriott Downtown
700 Grand Avenue • Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Room Rate: $127.00
Hotel reservations accepted at the discounted rate until
Wednesday, January 21, 2026.