The New England Newspaper & Press Association will host its 2026 Fall Leadership Conference on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
The annual conference brings together publishers, editors, newsroom leaders, journalists, advertising professionals, and media executives from across New England for a day of networking, professional development, industry discussion, and recognition of excellence in journalism.
Save the date for this annual event. Additional conference details, including registration information, programming, speakers, and lodging options, will be announced in the coming months.
A highlight of the conference will be the Fall Awards Luncheon, where NENPA will recognize recipients of its 2026 Fall Awards Program. The awards celebrate outstanding journalism, editorial leadership, investigative reporting, community service, press freedom, journalism education, and contributions to the newspaper industry throughout New England.
Awards presented during the luncheon will include:
- New England Newspaper of the Year
- Publick Occurrences
- Allan B. Rogers Editorial Award
- New England First Amendment Award
- AP Sevellon Brown New England Journalist of the Year
- Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award
- The Cornerstone Award
- New England Journalism Educator of the Year
- A-Mark Prizes
Together, these awards recognize the individuals, news organizations, educators, and industry leaders whose work strengthens local journalism and serves communities throughout the region.
The A-Mark Prizes will once again recognize outstanding investigative and accountability reporting and offer up to $90,000 in cash awards. Entries submitted for the Publick Occurrences Award and New England First Amendment Award are automatically considered for the A-Mark Prizes.
The Publick House Historic Inn, founded in 1771, provides a fitting setting for a gathering focused on the future of local journalism while honoring the profession’s rich history. Located in the heart of Sturbridge, the inn has welcomed generations of travelers and remains one of New England’s most iconic historic destinations.
The 2026 Fall Awards Program is currently open for entries, with a submission deadline of July 10, 2026.
Additional information, eligibility requirements, nomination guidelines, and entry forms are available at the link below:
DOWNLOAD 2026 NEWSPAPER AWARDS GUIDELINES
We encourage member news organizations, journalism educators, and industry leaders to take this opportunity to recognize outstanding work from the past year and celebrate the people helping shape the future of journalism in New England.