Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the annual Making Media Connections conference a success. This year our conference trainings gave attendees new skills to communicate more effectively in order to tell their stories. Our panels gave folks insights and best practices on everything from social media policy to pitching freelancers. Attendees also had the opportunity to connect and build new relationships with reporters and other communications professionals.
Here is what people are saying about the conference:

I really enjoy this conference. The networking opportunities are excellent and for the most part, the panel sessions and workshops
are helpful and engaging. Looking forward to next year! – Stephanie Kuenn, American Library Association

Your organization is terrific. Immensely helpful to me, and I’m happy
that is as helpful to the nonprofits doing truly noble work in our city. –
Guy F. Wicke, Lukaba Productions

I love this conference. It is always refreshing, and both the presenters
and participants are always so helpful and eager to share tips and
stories. Thank you for setting the tone. – RoiAnn Phillips, Health
Connect One

Wonderful value for the price…speakers were knowledgeable
and approachable. – Mayre Press, Freelance Writer

Here are some quick conference highlights:
Did you miss Deanna Zandt’s keynote speech on telling your story in the digital age? Well, no worries you can still check her keynote on “Stories and Strategy In The Digital Age.”

If you didn’t have a chance to check out the “Who’s A Journalist Now” roundtable, check out the videos and summaries of the event.

From mainstream to multimedia, Ray Hanania works “both sides of the wall”

Growing up on the Southside of Chicago prepared journalist Ray Hanania to wear many labels. His schoolyard detractors wouldn’t take “I’m American” for an answer. So, Hanania sought out his father’s advice.

“Well, geesh, you know, don’t tell them your Palestinian. Tell ‘em you’re Syrian or Lebanese,” said his father. Imagine a time when it was okay to be Syrian or Lebanese, says Hanania.

Hanania returned to school, fearful of being beat up by taunting classmates, and offered the bullies this answer:

“Well, my dad said I’m cereal. But I think my mother is lesbian. I don’t know.”

Closing out this year’s Making Media Connections 2010, Hanania admitted he’s technically not a journalist, but he is “the face of the future.” As an award-winning freelance journalist who writes for 18 blogs, pens a column for several Arab news outlets, hosts a radio show, does comedy, and serves as the spokesperson for Cicero, Hanania said he has no desire to go back to working in mainstream media. Read the rest of this entry »

REGISTER NOW for Making Media Connections, June 9 & 10

If you’ve never attended the Making Media Connections conference one of the benefits of being an attendee is the relationship building that happens at the conference. You will be able to connect and expand your network with folks in the nonprofit sector and media.

Once you’ve registered for the conference you will get a special invite to our “Making Media Connections” Kick Off reception and vendor fair on Wed. June 9. Be the first to meet and greet nonprofit leaders and media movers and shakers over drinks and light snacks. Wait there’s more!

PLUS special book signings by:

Deanna Zandt, author of, “Share This: How You Will Change The World With Social Networking”

Jessica Clark, co-author of, “Beyond the Echo Chamber: How a Networked Progressive Media Can Reshape American Politics”

Tim Frick author of, “Return on Engagement: Content, Strategy and Design Techniques for Digital Marketing”

Our vendor fair offers the opportunity to discover communication tools to get your message across. Come by on June 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. to check out the vendors exhibiting at our conference.

Vendor Fair includes:  Amzo Zip Mailing Services, Chicago Access Network Television, Rush Powers Media, English Communication, Inc.,The WebFarm Inc., Wooded Isle Computer Consultants, Social IMPACT Research Center, Executive Service Corp. of Chicago, Association of Consultants to Nonprofits, Tweeting For Dollars Project, Careers In Nonprofits, Metro Chicago Information Center, Arte y Vida Chicago, Giftworks Fundraising Software

REGISTER TODAY AND GET CONNECTED!

Broadcasting: What’s new, what’s not
Thursday, June 9, 2010
Engage your audience by using the prime news source in America—TV. Panelists Shawn Campbell  (Chicago Independent Radio Project), Judie Garcia (WGN News), Mark Saxenmeyer (WFLD-TV Fox Chicago) and moderator: Raschanda Hall (Business Wire) will discuss how using visuals and sound can introduce your agency’s message to captive audiences. Discover the craft of visualizing your message for broadcast. Learn more

FREE — Making Media Connections Roundtable Discussion
The Chicago Community Trust’s Community News Matters initiative and Community Media Workshop invite you to a roundtable discussion from 3 to 5 p.m. June 10th at Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema, 8th Floor, 1104 South Wabash, Chicago. We’re all creating and reporting news and stories for and about our communities, our region, and beyond. Read more

STORY POWER (Wednesday, June 9- 9AM to 4PM)

“Thank you for offering this workshop! It’s something of an “advanced” course for those of us who are familiar with the techniques of media outreach, etc. but want to strengthen our story gathering, writing and speaking skills. Thanks again!” – Jane Lawicki, Rotary International

The most important tool you can have as a communicator is the power to captivate potential audiences with your organization’s story. Learn how to make your story not just another spiel about your organization but rather a powerful tool to captivate the media, potential funders and future members. Powerful storytelling is a necessity whether you are pitching to traditional or  online media.

Story Power is back by popular demand and taught by award-winning storyteller Susan O’Halloran.  Susan will empower you with the ability to captivate audiences and move them to action. Register Today! Read the rest of this entry »