About

The Online News Association’s 2017 Conference brings together some of the most innovative minds in digital media, including journalists, media executives, developers, entrepreneurs, students and educators.

You’ll have the chance to network with our diverse and creative community, which range form experienced veterans at international news outlets to representatives from major tech companies to those just getting started in their media careers.

For up-to-date information on hotel booking information, registration opening and opportunities to volunteer or speak at ONA17, please check out our opportunities page and sign up for our newsletter.


FAQs

Registration

Can I update my registration information?
Of course! You can update your own registration information if you have an Eventbrite account. Follow these instructions. Make your changes by Sept. 28, 2017 for a correct badge to be printed. (After that date, you can request a new badge to be printed on-site.)

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Nope! When you arrive at ONA17, we’ll check you in at the Registration desk based on our master list.

Does my registration include an OJA Banquet ticket?
No. Attending the Online Journalism Awards Banquet, held Saturday, Oct. 7, requires a separate $30 ticket. You can purchase a ticket at the same time as registration.

Does ONA give complimentary registration to media covering the event?
Sorry! ONA is not able to offer media credentials or press passes for coverage of the conference.

General Questions

What should I wear at ONA17? Beyond common sense attire for a hotel setting, there’s no set dress code. Most attendees dress business casual, including jeans in many cases. Comfortable shoes are a must for walking through the large hotel space, as well as getting around in (a very walkable!) Washington, D.C.

People do tend to dress up more for the Online Journalism Awards Banquet, so if you’re attending that, you may want to consider this when packing. Again, this is not something ONA requests, but we’ve noticed tend to change into more standard professional attire before the reception begins. It is NOT black tie or overly formal.

What wifi is available in the conference areas? Wifi access is included with your conference registration. You will receive a password when you check in at the ONA17 registration desk. We’re investing in the infrastructure, including bringing in additional access points and planning for a variety of devices. That said, attendees are often trying to connect with multiple devices, so like any conference, we do experience latency / outages from time to time that we work quickly to resolve.

What wifi is available in my hotel room?: The Marriott Wardman Park offers complimentary wifi to guests staying at ONA’s discounted rate. If you booked before our special rate sold out, you’ll have wifi included in your room free of charge. This wifi is run separately from the conference wifi (i.e., you’ll likely be switching between Marriott wifi in your room and ONA wifi in conference areas).

Other questions?
Contact registration@journalists.org.

If you are a member, and don’t see the member rates displayed, log into the members’ site to get your discounted registration.

If you are not a member, see what you could be saving with an ONA membership and consider joining today.


Code of Conduct
Staff, supporters, volunteers, attendees and speakers are expected to adhere to ONA’s Code of Conduct.

Group Registration
Groups of 10 or more registering together receive a $50 per ticket discount. Contact registration@journalists.org for more information.

Refund Policy
Unable to attend the conference? Please read the following carefully.

All refunds must be requested by Sept. 15, 2017. No refunds will be given after that date.

Refund requests made after Aug. 1, 2017 will incur a $50 administrative fee. (There is no fee for student registrations.) The fee will be deducted from your refund amount.
Refunds will be made to the original form of payment. If that’s not possible, a refund check will be mailed after the conference.

Non-attendance of the conference does not constitute a cancellation.

Use this form to request a refund.

Transfer Policy
Your registration is transferrable. Please read the following carefully.

All transfers must be requested by Sept. 15, 2017. No transfers will be given after that date.

Transfer requests made after Aug. 1, 2017 will incur a $50 administrative fee. (There is no fee for student registration transfers.)
Registrations made at the ONA member rate may only be transferred to another ONA member. (A prospective attendee may join ONA before the transfer is completed.) Membership fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Use this form to request a transfer.

Sponsor Policy
Payment for sponsor/exhibitor/supporter/Midway packages must be made by Oct. 1, 2017, or ONA will not issue related conference credentials of any kind for ONA17.

Exhibitor/Attendee Housing Scam Notice
Please note: we’ve been notified that several exhibitors and conference attendees have received calls and/or emails from companies claiming to be an agent of, or associated with, ONA and offering discounted room rates. We do not have a relationship with any of these companies. All bookings should be made directly with our host hotel using the details above. You can read the full details about this issue here.