Journalism and Media Conferences You Should Attend in 2024: Our Picks
By Flora Szandi, Marketing & Communications Specialist at Sourcefabric | Post originally published on Sourcefabric.org
In the fast-paced world of publishing and media, staying updated with the latest trends, networking with industry professionals, and gaining insights from experts are essential for success. Conferences offer a great way to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a journalist, media professional, or industry enthusiast, attending online or in-person events can provide invaluable insights and connections.
Here are our top picks and a comprehensive guide to journalism and media conferences happening in 2024 that publishers, media professionals, and journalists should consider attending.
Top Picks
International Journalism Festival; 17–21 April 2024 | Perugia, Italy
The International Journalism Festival (IJF) is a renowned annual event that serves as a global gathering for journalists, media professionals, and enthusiasts. The festival provides a platform for discussing pressing issues facing journalism today, fostering dialogue, and promoting press freedom. With a diverse range of panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, IFJ plays an important role in shaping the future of journalism worldwide.
MINDS Conference; 25–26 April 2024 | London, UK
MINDS International hosts biannual conferences for its members, attracting senior managers from various sectors of the news agency business, including board members, editorial teams, strategy planners, technology experts, product developers, and sales professionals. These conferences serve as valuable platforms for networking with decision-makers within news agencies by facilitating exchanges, providing insights for new business ventures, and fostering opportunities for collaboration. While exclusive to MINDS members, non-members can participate as supporters.
WAN-IFRA Media Labs Days #8; 25–26 April 2024 | Vienna, Austria
The Media Labs Days are directly linked to WAN-IFRA’s Media Innovation Mapping research project, aiming to showcase a curated selection of labs, R&D initiatives, incubators, and innovation clusters. These events show insights into how media labs are structured, why they were created, what type of methods they use to innovate, their products and services, and stories of their successes and challenges. Covering topics such as AI, Web3, and promising startups, the goal is to facilitate in-person networking and knowledge exchange among innovation managers, R&D professionals, and other industry peers.
IPI World Congress and Media Innovation Festival; 22–24 May 2024 | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The IPI World Congress, established over 70 years ago, remains committed to safeguarding press freedom and independent journalism as a key to solving global challenges. Amid crises such as climate change, economic inequality, and the spread of misinformation, the Congress serves as a vital platform for dialogue on the role of media in addressing these issues and charting a path forward. The Media Innovation Festival addresses the evolving media landscape by promoting innovation, knowledge sharing, and sustainability within the industry. The festival brings together media innovators and startups to foster collaboration and learning.
WAN-IFRA World News Media Congress 2024; 27–29 May 2024 | Copenhagen, Denmark
The World News Media Congress is the most important annual gathering of news media leaders and has been so since 1948. This year’s Congress brings together flagship events, including Digital Media Europe, to offer three summits, two study tours, workshops, and access to international experts and case studies, appealing to anyone interested in shaping the future of news media in the AI era. The winners of the WAN-IFRA’s Digital Media Awards in 2024 will be announced at the congress.
Other Notable Events
The PPA Festival 2024; 23 April 2024 | London, UK
The Professional Publishers Association (PPA) Festival offers a day of discovery and unparalleled networking, providing an opportunity to gain valuable insights across all aspects of the industry. Thought leadership and actionable takeaways will cover B2B and B2C publishing, including product strategy, content creation, audience growth, data utilisation, sales excellence, talent management, and leadership insights. During the publishing conference, industry leaders, experts, and directors will explore topics such as AI integration, storytelling, innovative technology, and monetisation models, offering strategies to drive businesses forward and set the path to success.
Newsrewired; 22 May 2024 | London, UK
Since 2010, Journalism.co.uk has hosted 30 Newsrewired conferences, drawing editors, media company directors, journalists, and other industry professionals. These journalism events offer a blend of talks, panels, and workshops aimed at providing practical knowledge for newsrooms. With a commitment to diversity, they proactively ensure diverse representation among speakers and offer resources for other event organisers.
re:publica Berlin 2024; 27–29 May 2024 | Berlin, Germany
Germany is remarkable for hosting social media conferences such as the Growth Marketing Summit in Frankfurt, as well as re:publica Berlin, which is Europe’s largest digital society festival, known for its focus on blogs, social media, and the impact of technology on our modern society. “Who cares?” is this year’s motto of the re:publica conference, alongside with a media summit, emphasising the critical importance of caring for society’s most vulnerable members. With demographic shifts and global crises such as wars and climate change, there’s a growing need for compassion and advocacy. The digital media conference highlights the role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence and data democracy, in addressing societal challenges and reshaping our future.
FIPP World Media Congress; 4–6 June 2024 | Cascais, Portugal
The FIPP World Media Congress stands as the annual global junction for leaders in media and related tech and advisory sectors. With participants from over 40 countries, the journalism conference serves as a platform for sharing insights, reflecting on industry trends, validating strategies, forging connections, and conducting business.
DW Global Media Forum; 17–18 June 2024 | Bonn, Germany
While tickets for Dataharvest, the European Investigative Journalism Conference in Mechelen are already sold out, the DW Global Media Forum similarly provides an interdisciplinary platform for media professionals and decision-makers worldwide to meet and learn from each other as part of an intercultural exchange. The theme of the conference this year is “Sharing Solutions,” which is about exploring strategies for strengthening journalism in volatile times and fostering collaborative solutions to address industry challenges.
M100 Sanssouci Colloquium; 12 September 2024 | Potsdam, Germany
The M100 Sanssouci Colloquium convenes annually to facilitate discussions among representatives of traditional, independent media, alongside political and academic figures, about the role of media and influence in international affairs. The Colloquium aims to strengthen democracy, uphold freedom of expression, and foster intercultural exchange through initiatives like the M100 Media Award and the M100 Young European Journalists Workshop.
Online News Association Conference; 18–21 September 2024 | Atlanta, USA
The Online News Association’s annual conference (ONA24) is centred on the future of digital media. A vibrant entrepreneurial spirit distinguishes ONA conferences, attracting tech-savvy individuals, including producers, content editors, technologists, programmers, designers, and newsroom decision-makers from major media markets, independent websites, and leading academic institutions, all keen on exploring emerging practices in news gathering, software, hardware, content, and distribution platforms.
NPA Summit; 11 October 2024 | Online
The News Product Alliance Summit is a hands-on virtual journalism conference where active participation is key. Featuring master classes, collaborative sessions, and inspiring keynotes, attendees explore intermediate to advanced news product topics, confront industry challenges together, and hear from leaders in the field. The News Product Alliance Summit fosters a diverse community of news product thinkers, where individuals from various backgrounds and roles collaborate to drive change in journalism through inclusive discussions, workshops, and the sharing of essential knowledge and experiences.
Medientage München; 23–25 October 2024 | Munich, Germany
The Medientage München is one of the pioneering events for the media and communications industry. The conference brings media entrepreneurs and journalists together for three days every year. The opening event, alongside other summit activities, fosters crucial discussions, making it a cornerstone of the media scene. Participants can explore the latest trends and technologies.
Global Media Congress; 26–28 November 2024 | Abu Dhabi, UAE
As the media industry evolves at a rapid pace, businesses must adapt to succeed in this dynamic landscape. The Global Media Congress provides an ideal platform for connecting with global thought leaders, staying abreast of the latest trends, and fostering collaboration on innovative ideas.
Media conferences are not just about attending sessions; they are about connecting with industry peers, gaining insights from experts, and discovering innovative solutions to pressing challenges. By participating in these events, you can get valuable perspectives on the latest trends in the field of journalism and the media industry, expand your professional network, and position yourself for success in the rapidly evolving media landscape.
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