Amazing parties, famous media faces, a movie screening and news-rich places. Find it all in this year’s official (and unofficial) party, events and networking round-up.
All official ONA17 events are free and open to registered attendees. You’ll need a full conference pass for those, as well as any special presentations.
Some events require RSVPs for drink tickets. Unofficial events around town have availability as noted. Here is the scoop:
ONA17 events & special programming:
Wednesday, Oct. 4
5-9 p.m.: ONA U: Student Mini Conference at American University. American University School Of Communication, D.C. RSVP required.
6:30-8 p.m.: Disrupting the Misinformation Network. Virginia A+B (Lobby Level). Light refreshments served. This event has limited capacity and an RSVP is requested.
ONA17 is Sponsored by
Thursday, Oct. 5
8-8:45 a.m.: You’re #1: First Timers’ Orientation. Maryland Suite. For first-time conference attendees-only. Your #1 button is required to attend.
Noon-5 p.m.: Exhibits, Lounges + Midway Opens. Exhibit Hall A + Washington 3 + 4 (Exhibition Level). Swag, tools, tech, food and cocktails. Open to all!
4:45-6 p.m.: ONA Local Open House. Marriott Foyer (Mezzanine Level). RSVP required for a drink ticket.
5-6:30 p.m.: Newsworthy! The Results of the First Global Study on Newsroom Tech and Reception. Washington 5 (Exhibition Level). Space is limited, RSVP requested.
6:30-8:30 p.m.: Opening Night Reception, Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Buses start leaving the host hotel for the Newseum at 5:30 p.m. Must have an ONA17 attendee badge or ticket to enter.
Friday, Oct. 6
7:30-9 a.m.: Morning Yoga. Marriott Foyer (Mezzanine Level). Capacity is limited and requires an RSVP. No mat will be required.
8-9:30 a.m.: Diversity Mentorship Breakfast. Harry’s Pub (Lobby Level). This event is open only to participants who were chosen based on an application process that ended in September.
8:30-9:30 a.m.: Broadcast Breakfast. Virginia A (Lobby Level). Join the waitlist.
8:30-9:30 a.m.: Not a Year Off — How Fellowships Can Build Skills and Capacity for your Newsroom. Maryland C (Lobby Level). Join the waitlist.
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Exhibits, Lounges + Midway Open. Exhibit Hall A + Washington 3+4 (Exhibition Level). Swag, tools, tech, food and cocktails. Open to all!
Noon – 1 p.m. – Leadership Luncheon hosted by Reuters. Maryland C (Lobby Level). Invitation-only.
3-4 p.m.: Midway Speakeasy. Washington 3+4 (Exhibition Level). Cocktail hour. Open to all.
3:30-5 p.m.: Educators’ Meetup. Washington 5 (Exhibition Level). Poster session features drinks. Open to all!
6:30-7:30 p.m.: International Reception, Stone’s Throw Restaurant (Lobby Level). Open to all, but limited space & RSVP required for drink tickets.
6:30-7:30 p.m.: Information Trust Initiative Reception. Delaware A (Lobby Level). Open to all, but limited space & RSVP required for drink tickets.
6:30-7:30 p.m.: American University School of Communication Reception. Delaware B (Lobby Level). Open to all, but RSVP required for drink tickets. This event currently has a waitlist.
Saturday, Oct. 7
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Exhibits, Lounges + Midway Open. Exhibit Hall A + Washington 3+4 (Exhibition Level). Swag, tools, tech, food and cocktails. Open to all!
11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Journalism 360 Immersive Storytelling Festival. Washington 6 (Exhibition Level). Open to all.
5-6 p.m.: Diversity Reception. Patio (Lobby Level). Open to all, but RSVP required for drink tickets. This event currently has a waitlist.
6-7 p.m.: Online Journalism Awards Reception. Marriott Ballroom 1 (Lobby Level). Tickets required. This event is currently sold out.
7-10 p.m.: Online Journalism Awards Banquet. Marriott Ballroom 2+3 (Lobby Level). Tickets required. This event is currently sold out.
Unofficial events on site & around town:
The following events are being hosted by many of our partners and sponsors around D.C. and many are open to all levels of ONA17 attendees.
Wednesday, Oct. 4
7 p.m. Preview screening of Marshall. AMC Hoffman Center 22, 206 Swamp Fox Rd., Alexandria, Virginia 
(Note: no transportation provided; the screening site is approximately a 30-minute drive from the hotel). Marshall, in theaters Oct. 13, is based on the early career of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and stars Chadwick Boseman, Sterling K. Brown, Josh Gad and Kate Hudson. 100 spots available. RSVP required.
7:30-11 p.m. Crowdsauced III. Tryst, 2459 18th St NW. All are welcome, RSVPs required.
9-11:30 p.m. ONA DC Karaoke. Town Tavern, 2323 18th St. NW. All are welcome.
Thursday, Oct. 5
12:15 p.m. Live chat with Craig Newmark, founding funder of the Trust Project and the man behind Craigslist. Bing News/MSN booth, M1B, Exhibition Level.
1-4 p.m. (Or until we run out!) CNN’s themed cocktail tasting by an award-winning mixologist. CNN Booth M4, Exhibition Level. Note: Strictly 21 & over.
4-6 p.m. Pew Research Center Networking Happy Hour. Lebanese Taverna, 2641 Connecticut Ave. NW. RSVP required. Space is limited.
4:30-6 p.m. Bot and a beer. Open City, 2331 Calvert St. NW. RSVP requested.
8-11 p.m.: SmartNews Presents: An Evening with Carl Bernstein. Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave. NW. RSVP required. Transportation provided. This event currently has a waitlist.
8:30-10:30 p.m. #WJChat and #SocJournal Take on #ONA17. Duke’s Counter, 3000 Connecticut Ave. NW. Join the waitlist.
Friday, Oct. 6
12:15-12:30 p.m.: Live chat with LinkedIn editor-at-large Marisa Wong. Bing News/MSN booth, M1B, Exhibition Level.
1-4 p.m. (Or until we run out!) CNN’s themed cocktail tasting by an award-winning mixologist. CNN Booth M4, Exhibition Level. Note: Strictly 21 & over.
5:30-7 p.m.: Columbia J-School Alumni and Admissions Cocktail Hour. Marriott Wardman Park, Wardman Tower Lobby. Register here.
6-9 p.m.: Mix it up with McClatchy. District Kitchen, 2606 Connecticut Avenue NW. RSVP required; join the waitlist. Note: Strictly 21 & over.
6:30-9:30 p.m: Google & Washington Post Party. The Washington Post, 1301 K St. NW. Attendee list is capped at 500, so sign up today. Password required (googlepost). Photo ID required.