Friday, March 1

1 p.m. – TAPME Board Meeting, Classroom 107

3:30 p.m. – Meet the Editors, UT campus

9 p.m. – Hospitality, Presidential Suite

Saturday, March 2

8 a.m.  Breakfast – Conferee Break Area

All sessions: Classroom 203

9 a.m.  – Do and Don’ts of Drones

How are Texas newsrooms making use of drones for aerial photography, and what are the benefits and potential pitfalls? We’ll help you navigate the friendly skies—and to find some workarounds if your company says you’re grounded.

Moderator:  John Bridges, Austin American-Statesman

Panelists: Jay Janner, Photographer; Zack Ryall, Retired Digital Managing Editor, Austin American-Statesman

10 a.m. – Doing the Right Thing: Prioritizing Coverage in Shrinking Newsrooms

When doing more with less is no longer an option, we’ll explore how to say “no” to the things we no longer see as priorities and say “yes” to the coverage that will be most meaningful to our readers and community.

Moderator: Mede Nix, Dallas Morning News

Panelists: Beth Frerking, News Vertical Editor, Dallas Morning News; Darren Benson, Editor, The Eagle; Susan Smith Richardson, Solutions Journalism

11 a.m. – 86 days to go

The Texas Legislature is entering the homestretch with much work to be done.  Key legislators and Capitol reporters will forecast the months ahead and help us understand the politics behind the decisions being made.

Moderator: John Bridges, Austin American-Statesman

Panelists: Sen. Kirk Watson; Julie Chang, Education Reporter, Austin American-Statesman; James Barragan,  Austin Correspondent, The Dallas Morning News

Noon-2 p.m. -– TAPME Awards Luncheon, Conference Room 301

2 p.m.-6 p.m. Free time

6 p.m. – Reception, Tejas Conference Dining

7 p.m. – Jack Douglas Award dinner/Buster Haas scholarship auction,

Presentation of the Star category awards, the Michael Brick Storytelling Award, the Celeste Williams Star Sportswriter of the Year and college/university winners.

9 p.m. – Join veteran journalist and storyteller extraordinaire Mike Cochran in the Hospitality Suite, Presidential Suite

Sunday, March 3

8 a.m. Breakfast,  Conferee Break Area

All sessions: Classroom 203

9:00 a.m. – Solutions Journalism Network

Learn ways to reach your community and raise revenue with help from Solutions Journalism. Presenter: Susan Smith Richardson

9:30 a.m. – AP Report  Find out what’s happening at AP. Jim Clarke, Regional Director;

Kim Johnson, Regional News Editor

10 a.m.-11 a.m. – Digital Subscriptions  How to build a loyal (and paying) online audience

Moderator: Zahira Torres, Editor, El Paso Times Panelists: Hannah Wise, Audience Development Editor, The Dallas Morning News

11:00 a.m.-11:40 a.m. – Freedom of Information: Joining the Battle Attacks on the people’s right to know are formidable, but advocates of open government are working tirelessly in the Legislature to restore and maintain transparency.  Get the latest update on the battlefront and learn what you can do to help.

Moderator: Diana Fuentes, Deputy Metro Editor, San Antonio, San Antonio Express-News

Panelists: Laura Prather, First Amendment attorney, partner at Haynes and Boone, past president FOIFT; Chairman Todd Hunter, Texas House Calendars

11:45 a.m. – Headliner Star of Stars Awards, presented by Headliners Foundation; TAPME Designer of the Year; newspaper awards, AP Staff awards, Newspaper of the Year

Adjourn