Join publishers, editors, reporters, and newsroom leaders from across New England for two days of practical learning, collaboration, and celebration at the 2026 New England Newspaper Convention & Trade Show, March 13–14 in Portsmouth, NH, at The Venue at Portwalk Place.
The initial program is now available below, with additional session details and the amazing lineup of speakers to be added soon to help you plan your visit.
Hotel rooms are still available — but don’t wait.
The Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown has limited rooms remaining at our special rates of two Queen beds at $169 per night, and King rooms at $209 per night for Thursday and Friday nights. Use this link to book online.
We’ve also added a second hotel steps from the venue: Residence Inn by Marriott Portsmouth Downtown/Waterfront, which will honor our convention room block rate and currently has availability for all nights. To reserve at the Residence Inn, call (603) 422-9200 and mention the NENPA Convention.
The Better Newspaper Competition Awards Banquet will take place Saturday evening, March 14. Tickets are selling fast, don’t sleep on it, we do expect a sellout! Tickets are also still on sale for the New England Newspaper Hall of Fame Dinner on March 13 and the Yankee Quill Awards Luncheon on March 14.
Please note: individual or group convention registration is required to attend the learning sessions on both Friday and Saturday.
The deadline to purchase all tickets is Friday, March 6!
Review the program below and secure your registration, hotel room, and event tickets today.
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Friday, March 13
9:00 – 10:15 AM
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: Collaboration & Tools for Today’s Newsrooms – How collaboration and smart tools can strengthen reporting, streamline workflows, and spark innovation across newsrooms.
The Power of the Obituary – Craft meaningful, accurate life stories while understanding the business realities behind obituary revenue.
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Newsletters That Work – Proven strategies for audience growth and revenue through engaging, well-targeted newsletters.
Turning Data into Headlines Using Google Gemini + Pinpoint – A hands-on look at using AI and document tools to analyze large datasets and surface publishable stories faster.
11:00 AM – 12:45 PM
News Without a Newsroom – A screening of the film and discussion with the filmmaker exploring journalism’s uncertain future in an era of misinformation and newsroom closures.
Session Break and Lunch on your own
1:30 – 2:45 PM
State of the Industry – Industry benchmarks and actionable insights shaping the evolving media revenue landscape.
TikTok, Reels, and Video Storytelling for Newsrooms – How to use short-form video strategically to extend reporting while maintaining newsroom standards.
FOI That Works / The Ask – Practical, hard-won strategies for obtaining public records from reluctant government agencies.
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Press Freedom Panel: Who Protects the Press When Government Is the Threat? – A critical discussion on legal protections and threats facing journalists today.
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Convention Reception and Hall of Fame Cocktail Party (cash bar)
7:00 PM
New England Newspaper Hall of Fame Induction Dinner – Purchase Tickets
Saturday, March 14
9:00 – 10:15 AM
Trust in News Is at a Crossroads—but the Comeback Starts Here – A blueprint for rebuilding credibility through visible journalistic values and objective reporting.
Social Media Strategies for Newsrooms of Every Size – Adaptable, scalable social media strategies that work for small and large newsrooms alike.
10:30 – 11:45 AM
Next Gen News 2 – Insights into emerging news consumer behavior and how publishers can prepare for 2030.
Immigration and ICE Reporting Now – Frontline strategies for covering immigration enforcement accurately, ethically, and safely.
Session Break and Lunch on your own
12:00 – 2:00 PM
Yankee Quill Awards Luncheon – Purchase Tickets
1:00 – 2:15 PM
Independent News Sustainability: Building Revenue That Lasts – Candid lessons on diversifying revenue and building durable, community-supported journalism.
Trauma in the Newsroom: Covering Hard News Without Burning Out – Evidence-based approaches to coping with stress, trauma, and burnout in journalism.
2:30 – 3:45 PM
Accelerating Research & Ensuring Trust with Google NotebookLM + SynthID – Using AI tools to organize research efficiently while strengthening verification and transparency.
The Making of a Major Story – Award-winning journalists discuss the reporting process behind major investigative projects.
“Words Matter” — Language Choices That Shape Trust – How framing and word choice influence audience perception and newsroom credibility.
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Convention Reception and Awards Banquet Cocktail Party (cash bar)
7:00 PM
New England Better Newspaper Awards Banquet – Purchase Tickets