Thanks to the 2014-2015 Meetings Committee Chairperson: Kathleen Russell, The Darien News Georgia Press Association and to the Meetings Committee: GPA President Eric Denty, The Press-Sentinel, Jesup Buff Leavy, The Brunswick News 129th Annual Convention Dubose Porter, The Courier Herald, Dublin Terri Statham, Georgia Electric Membership Corp. CHECK LIST • Dress for fun and sun! The meetings on Thursday and Friday are resort casual. • The BNC Awards Ceremony on Friday evening is semi-formal. • Reserve hotel room. • Register for sessions, activities and meals. • Complete and return your Hudson Award and Golden Club nominations. • Send in your R.O.R.A.R. nomination. • Bring a good idea you’ve tried at your paper to share with others and don’t forget some business cards! In return, you’ll take some great ideas home with you too. • Use the convention program as a guide to plan your daily schedule. • Bring a sweater or light jacket; meeting-room temperatures can vary. June 4-6, 2015 • Be a reporter! Carry a notebook to jot down notes at sessions. This will help you take home those great ideas! The Westin Jekyll Island Jekyll Island, Ga. Georgia Press Association 129th Annual Convention Notes June 4-6, 2015 Golden Club Make your hotel reservations today! The Georgia Press Association Golden Club honors those individuals who have worked in the newspaper industry for 50 years or more. A minimum of 40 years of service must have been in the state of Georgia and the applicant must have shown a continuous commitment to the industry. The individual may have been employed in any facet of the industry, including produc- The Westin Jekyll Island tion, editorial, circulation and advertising. These honors will be given at the Opening Luncheon on Thursday, June 4. David E. Hudson Open Government Award For reservations, make sure to tell the hotel agent you are with Georgia Press Association and would like a The David E. Hudson Open Government Award was created by Georgia Press Association in 2008. The award is presented room in our block. each year to a Georgia publication or individual that has shown support for the cause of sunshine in government through pub- lication, research, legislation or other action deemed worthy of receiving this honor. This recipient will be honored during the Please see the enclosed registration form to complete and return to GPA. You may pay with a check or credit Opening Luncheon on Thursday, June 4. card. GPA accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Call GPA at 770-454-6776 to pay by phone. Community Service Award The meetings will be held at the To honor the work that local newspapers perform, Georgia Press Association seeks nominations each year for the Com- munity Service Award. The award honors one newspaper in Georgia each year for a contribution of lasting social importance to its local community. The contribution goes beyond sponsorship or promotion of an event — it includes the identifi cation TheT Westin Jekyll Island of a specifi c issue of concern, the support for solutions to the problem and the personal involvement of the newspaper’s staff working toward those solutions. Nominations must come from an independent citizen or organization in the newspaper’s 110 Ocean Way community that recognizes that the personal involvement of the newspaper and its staff has a positive, clear and lasting effect Jekyll Island, Ga. 31527 on the community. This recipient will be honored during the Opening Luncheon on Thursday, June 4. (912) 635-4545 Freedom of Information Award The prestigious Freedom of Information Award is given to the newspaper that did the most during the previous year to up- hold the principles of the First Amendment and to promote the public’s right to information about its government. This award will be presented during the Better Newspaper Contest Awards banquet on the evening of Friday, June 5. GETTING THERE Exhibitors Exhibitors may begin setting up on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and remain in place until Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Our opening luncheon reception will be held so attendees may also visit with the exhibitors, and breakfast will be available there on Friday The Westin Jekyll Island morning as well. In addition, exhibitors may make brief introductions during the morning sessions on Thursday. The Westin Jekyll Island is located on Jekyll Is- News Swap land, Georgia, off I-95, approximately midway Bring bundles of papers and special sections to share with your fellow newshounds during Convention. There will be tables between Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, set up for this purpose. See how other newspapers around the state present their stories, editorials, ads and special sections Florida. — all the stuff that is sure to give you some new, creative publishing ideas! BY LAND * Nomination forms for Golden Club and the Hudson Award are enclosed in this packet. On I-95, take Exit 29 onto Highway 17/82 North for 6 miles to the Jekyll Island Causeway (State Road 520). Proceed on the Causeway east 6 miles to the Jekyll Island collection station ($6 park entry fee). Make the fi rst left (U-turn) and move to the far right lane. Travel 5.8 miles, turn right onto GA-520 E / Jekyll Island Road. Travel 6.6 miles. At the traffi c circle, Georgia Press Association thanks our take the second exit onto Ocean Way and the Westin is on the left 2015 GPA Annual Convention sponsors! BY AIR There is an airport located in Brunswick, just 17 miles from the hotel. The Savannah and • Georgia EMC Jacksonville airports are also located only a short drive from the resort. • Georgia Peanut Commission • Georgia Transmission Corp. • Norfolk Southern Activities Offered on Jekyll Island Convention Schedule • Bicycle rentals for 20 miles of trails; rentals available through the front desk; half day is $9 and full day is $18 Wednesday, June 3 • Carriage rides — tour the grounds; reservations recommended; contact concierge for details or call (912) 635-9500 for 11 a.m.: Early registration more information • Charter fi shing — full- and half-days available; contact the concierge or Captain Griffi n Wood directly at (912) 269-7337; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: GPA/GNS board meeting visit jekyllfi shing.com for details • Cumberland Island reservations are recommended for the ferry; call (912) 882-4336 for more information 5 p.m.: Vendor set-up • Dolphin Cruises — daily trips in the summer leave the Jekyll Wharf for 90 minutes; call (912) 635-3152 for reservations • Shopping, entertainment and dining 7 p.m.: Board dinner, Rooftop Restaurant at the Jekyll Island Village located next door to the Sponsored by Georgia EMC and Georgia Transmission Corp. Westin Jekyll Island • Geocaching — Jekyll Island has 12 caches set up. Visit www.geocaching.com for more info. • Georgia Sea Turtle Center, $7 for adults and $5 for children; call (912) 635-4444 • Golf — When you check in at the Westin Jekyll Island, visit the concierge for a guest ID badge. Call 912-635-2368 to make golf reservations and Thursday, June 4 identify yourself as a Westin guest for special offers. 7:30 a.m.: Registration • Historic District tours are available by tram but vary by season; call (912) 635-4036 for 8 a.m.: Past Presidents’ Breakfast more information. • Live Oak Forest Walks: endless miles of 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.: Question-and-Answer Session with Georgia Sheriff’s Association trails and paths circling the island • Terry Norris, Executive Director, Georgia Sheriff’s Association • Miniature Golf — two 18-hole courses are • Howard Sills, Putnam County Sheriff and Past President, Georgia Sheriff’s Association located on the beach side of the island; call (912) 635-2648 This entertaining duo will discuss the unique powers and job responsibilities of elected • Jekyll Island boasts nine miles of unspoiled and uncrowded beach shores sheriffs in Georgia as well as their philosophies on dealing with the media. You may be surprised by • St. Simons Island, located 15 miles north of Jekyll, home to beaches, golf, salons and a variety of restaurants what you hear! • Summer Waves Water Park; please see www.summerwaves.com • Tennis courts:13 clay courts; call (912) 635-3154 for details • Tidelands Nature Center, located next to Summer Waves Waterpark; see www.tidelands4h.org for more details Norris Sills Dining at The Westin Jekyll Island The Reserve: Full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. This modern yet elegant, upscale-casual restaurant will be 9:45 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Break the new culinary “jewel.” It is destined to become famous for its seafood and passion for using the freshest, fi nest, local ingredients. Salty’s Oceanside: Poolside bar and café (lunch, lounge, poolside). Enjoy poolside dining and fun drinks with great ocean views. 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.: Editorial Cartoonists Panel Its oceanfront location sets the mood for a refreshing afternoon and evening transition. Located next to our main pool and just steps • Mike Lester, formerly of Rome News-Tribune away from the beach. • Rick McKee, Cartoonist, The Augusta Chronicle Harry’s @ The Reserve: Bar and rooftop lounge. This exciting lounge featuring the latest mixology is sure to be the island’s • Mark Streeter, Cartoonist, Savannah Morning News new hotspot. You’ll fi nd everything from a signature drink menu to the freshest menu items — from appetizers and salads, to en- Some of Georgia’s best-known cartoonists discuss the challenges and trees and small-plate offerings. One fl oor up you’ll fi nd the perfect place to chill with a frozen beverage or simply take in the views of rewards of the job, memorable reactions from readers and their reaction to the the magnifi cent Atlantic Ocean.