RTDNA25: New Orleans

RTDNA25 Schedule

Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

 Wednesday, June 11

12 - 4 p.m. // Pre-Conference Workshops

• Using AI Tools Ethically
• Leading Past Crisis - Change, Culture, and Community

5 - 7 p.m. // Welcome Happy Hour & Registration

Stop by the Hotel Monteleone’s own iconic Carousel Bar & Lounge to grab your registration materials and be welcomed to “The Big Easy” over great drinks, appetizers, and even better company. Mingle with sponsors, exhibitors and peers to kick off RTDNA25 in style.

Thursday, June 12

8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  // Registration Desk Open

Stop by the registration desk to grab your registration materials or get your questions answered.

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.  // Opening Keynote

We'll kick things off with an engaging Opening Keynote.

9:30 - 10:15 a.m. // Morning Joe: Coffee & Connections

Grab a cup, fill it up and spend time connecting with peers in the new RTDNA25 lounge.

9:30 - 10:15 a.m. // Feedback Loop: Critiques*

Sit down with the pros and have your reel or resume critiqued. Leave with tips and tricks, the confidence to know you’re moving in the right direction, and a new connection in the industry. *Sign-up required

9:30 - 10:15 a.m. // Life + Work Couch Coaching

Join certified coach and meditation facilitator Nicholas Whitaker for exclusive 1:1 coaching sessions just for RTDNA guests. In this laser-focused session, you will have the space to share what's weighing on your mind and heart, and receive compassionate coaching to help guide you to your next steps. If you've never received coaching before, this is a great, low-risk way to get some experience with it and discover what even a single coaching session can do to help move you forward. *Sign-up required

10:15 – 11:15 a.m. // Breakout Sessions

Our breakouts are built around shared knowledge, both from the trainer and other attendees. Participate in a session to get hands-on experience, in-depth discussions and a meaningful deep-dive into a variety of topics.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. // Power Hour

Join us in the RTDNA25 Lounge for some speedy presentations and shared tips and tricks.

12:30 - 2 p.m. // Dine Arounds

Join your fellow conference attendees for lunch to discuss professional topics that matter to you in a small, intimate setting. Personally connecting in an intimate setting will allow you to benefit from the wisdom of diverse experiences and foster new relationships with industry colleagues. The table topics will be determined by the group — a catalyst to truly connect with one another. *Pre-registration required. **Please note that the meal cost is not included in your conference registration unless attending a sponsored Dine Around.

Sponsored Dine Arounds:

• FOX

2 – 3:15 p.m. // RTDNA Awards & Honors

We'll salute the RTDNA Foundation's 2025 Scholarship and Fellowship recipients and then recognize and hear from the best of the best with our Paul White and John F. Hogan awards. Hear from each recipient about the power of journalism, their triumphs and tribulations and how they feel about the future of the industry.

3:15 - 4 p.m. // Afternoon Boost: Snacks & Social

Get the boost you need with some afternoon snacks and gather in our lounge to share what you’ve learned and socialize with peers and sponsors.

3:15 - 4 p.m. // Feedback Loop: Critiques

Sit down with the pros and have your reel or resume critiqued. Leave with tips and tricks, the confidence to know you’re moving in the right direction, and a new connection in the industry. *Sign-up required

4 - 5 p.m.  // Breakout Sessions

Our breakouts are built around shared knowledge, both from the trainer and other attendees. Participate in a session to get hands-on experience, in-depth discussions and a meaningful deep-dive into a variety of topics.

5 – 6:30 p.m. // Grub and Give

Giving back is one of the foundational elements of RTDNA25 so join us for a quick dinner and then roll up your sleeves and engage in service projects benefitting the local community groups Grace at the Green Light and the Louisiana SPCA while you chat it up with your peers. Sponsored by FOX. Dinner will be provided to participants.

Louisiana SPCA

The Louisiana SPCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promote, protect and advance the well-being of Louisiana’s companion animals. As the oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state, we impact more than 73,000 homeless and companion animals each year. For more than 130 years we have been committed to service the needs of the people and animals in the Greater New Orleans community and across the region as a 4-star Charity Navigator rated nonprofit ranking in the top 1% nationally. Learn more here.

7:30 – 8 p.m. // Second Line Reception

It wouldn’t be a party in the French Quarter without participating in a second line parade to celebrate our Opening Night Party! Join us for a short reception at the hotel before following the band on to our party venue, Rue Bourbon.

8 - 11 p.m. // Opening Night Party

Celebrate Day 1 by hitting the town at Rue Bourbon with us at the Opening Night Party, sponsored by our friends at CNN Newsource.

Friday, June 13

8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  // Registration Desk Open

Stop by the registration desk to grab your registration materials or get your questions answered.

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. // Beignets & Coffee Break

Grab a cup, fill it up and spend time connecting with sponsors, exhibitors and peers in the RTDNA25 Lounge.

9:00 – 10:30 a.m. // Super Session: RTDNA Trust Study Findings & "How Do You Do, Fellow Kids?" Panel

Join the RTDNA Trust Study Team as they present their newest project findings.

Following the Trust presentation, join the President and CEO of Texas Public Radio, Ashley Alvarado,  for an intriguing interview with some members of journalism's youngest audience. Today's teens and young adults consume information differently than generations before them. Hear directly from young people — about where they get their news, how we can better serve them and what you can do to better align your coverage and delivery for the younger generations. 

Facilitator: Ashley Alvarado

Ashley Alvarado is president and CEO of Texas Public Radio. She joins TPR after two decades as a journalist, having worked at the LA Times, Center for Investigative Reporting, and LAist (Southern California Public Radio), among other outfits. Alvarado has dedicated much of her career to advancing the practice of engaged journalism. She’s a board member with the Online News Association, Greater Public, and the First Amendment Coalition. She also serves on the Poynter Institute’s national advisory board.  

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. // Feedback Loop: Critiques

Sit down with the pros and have your reel or resume critiqued. Leave with tips and tricks, the confidence to know you’re moving in the right direction, and a new connection in the industry. *Sign-up required

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. // Self-Care Space: You-Call-It

Leaders need self-care just as much as their teams do, and sometimes that comes in the form of fun. We’re here for you with a variety of activities to break up the day, help you take a breath and soak up a bit of enjoyment — you’ve earned it!

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. // Lunch On Your Own

Get a bite to eat with new or old friends, but make sure you're back in time for the next round of breakouts.

1 – 2:30 p.m. // Breakout Sessions

Our breakouts are built around shared knowledge, both from the trainer and other attendees. Participate in a session to get hands-on experience, in-depth discussions and a meaningful deep-dive into a variety of topics.

2:30 - 3:15 p.m. // Afternoon Boost: Snacks & Social

Get the boost you need with some afternoon snacks and gather in our lounge to share what you’ve learned and socialize with peers, sponsors and exhibitors.

3:15 – 4:15 p.m. // Breakout Sessions

Our breakouts are built around shared knowledge, both from the trainer and other attendees. Participate in a session to get hands-on experience, in-depth discussions and a meaningful deep-dive into a variety of topics.

4:30 - 5 p.m. // Closing Keynote

Join us for a wrap up of the conference in a moderated discussion to help you organize and prepare to bring all your new ideas and connections back to your newsrooms.

6 - 8 p.m. // Sponsored Parties Around Town

Join the various companies and organizations at parties around NOLA. *Invitations required unless otherwise listed

RTDNA25 Breakout Sessions

Reclaiming Your Work Life: An AMA for High Performers at a Crossroads

Feeling stuck, undervalued, or out of alignment in your career? You’re not alone...and you don’t have to figure it out on your own either. Join Nicholas Whitaker, conscious work coach and Co-founder of Changing Work for an open, no-BS conversation about what it takes to navigate change with clarity, courage, and self-respect. Whether you’re negotiating a raise, plotting an exit, or redefining what success means to you, this session is a space to ask questions, get grounded, and walk away with real tools for reclaiming your career on your terms.

How Jazz Improv Can Transform Your Newsroom (No, Seriously)

Imagine a jazz ensemble effortlessly improvising, seamlessly adapting to each other's rhythm and melody—each musician both a leader and a follower, fully attuned and responsive in real-time. Now imagine your team operating with the same dynamic, collaborative, and spontaneous energy.

Through live examples, stories, and engaging activities, you'll learn how to:
Embrace the "Yes, and..." mindset for creativity and innovation, master the balance between leading and supporting in high-performing teams, and build trust and psychological safety so your team can confidently 'riff' and adapt in the moment. You don't need to know jazz to enjoy this session—just come ready to have fun, learn, and transform your leadership rhythm!

Innovative Products: Meet Your Audience's Needs Without Sacrificing Your Mission

Newsrooms have limited resources; what are effective models for ensuring we're placing the smartest bets possible? As audience behaviors radically change, how can we develop editorial products that can compete with giant platforms? And how can we create a structure to support that innovation while maintaining our newsroom missions?

Burnout: Why We Might Be Doing This To Ourselves, and How To Stop

Burnout isn’t just about overworking — it’s about broken systems that force you to do everything yourself. Learn how to build burnout-proof businesses with custom systems, automation, and smarter workflows so your business runs smoothly — without running you into the ground.

Trainer: Ellyn Schinke

Ellyn Schinke is a former research scientist turned the #1 burnout and stress management coach on Google, creator of the Burnout-Proof Business Program, and host of the Burnout-Proof Podcast. She has been featured in Fast Company, The New York Times, and on stage with LinkedIn. Ellyn teaches individuals and organizations how to create sustainable success through mindset, systems, and self-care so they can do what they love and love how they do it—burnout-proofed. 

Conscious Disengagement from News: What Can We Do About It?

Data shows a 10-year trend toward disengagement from online news, with interest in news falling and news avoidance rising. What's causing the trend and what does that mean for journalism — and democracy? 

Trainer: Dr. Craig T. Robertson

Dr. Craig T. Robertson is a Research Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. Craig works on the annual Digital News Report, the largest study of news audience behaviors and attitudes worldwide (now covering 48 markets). Craig's research interests include trends in news consumption, audience trust in and perceptions of news, and the impacts of technology on the news industry.

Staying Safe: Online Harassment Mitigation and Response

We are far from the halcyon days of the early internet, where we could spin up personal websites and blogs with relative privacy and anonymity. But there are steps we can take to dial back the amount of personal information about us. Join the Freedom of the Press Foundation for a training where you'll learn where your information lurks online and how to either suppress access to it or remove it altogether, and what to do when you've become a target for trolls.

Leading Newsrooms in the Generative AI Era: Tools, Trust, and Thoughtful Decisions

Generative AI — tools that create text, images, audio, and more — is rapidly reshaping how we work. But harnessing these technologies thoughtfully demands more than technical skill. This session will show newsroom leaders how to integrate generative AI into workflows that strengthen decision-making, sharpen communication, and foster team engagement, while keeping human judgment and ethical standards at the forefront. Learn how to evolve your leadership style in ways that embrace innovation without sacrificing trust.

Working Better Together: Collaboration Toolkit

Collaborations are key for producing news that spans markets and audiences. Join the team from American Press Institute for this discussion on how you can create teams that work effectively and efficiently, what skills you and others should enhance and how you can build better collaborations between your local content creators and your newsroom reporting teams.

Trainer: American Press Institute

RTDNA25 Pre-Conference Workshops

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Using AI Tools Ethically

In an era when AI tools are transforming how journalism is produced and distributed, the ethical principles that have long guided our profession—accuracy, minimizing harm, transparency and accountability—remain just as important. Audiences today expect not only credible reporting but also honesty about how the work is created, including the role technology plays. Transparency is key to maintaining trust: disclosing when and how AI is used ensures news consumers stay informed and engaged, rather than confused or misled. Lynn Walsh, the Assistant Director of Trusting News, will begin with a focus on the ethical responsibilities journalists have when using AI and how clear communication with audiences can strengthen public trust.

In the next portion of the workshop, Mike Reilley, a senior lecturer at the University of Illinois Chicago and founder of JournalistsToolbox.ai, will train you on several AI tools and Large Language Models during this hands-on session. You'll learn how to edit, summarize and repackage journalistic pieces. He also will explore ethical and legal boundaries with the tools, how to build strategy for implementing AI into a newsroom workflow (hint: it will never be the last step.) You'll learn how to design an outward-facing policy for your newsroom's audience as well. Tools we'll work with: Perplexity, ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, RolliApp, VisualPing, Google NotebookLM, TrollBusters' Navigator, and more. Make sure to set up free accounts on those tools prior to the session and bring your laptop . Participants get a handout with links to all of the tools and exercises.

LEADING PAST CRISIS - Change, Culture, and Community

“Crisis” is a word that’s been used way too often and way too loosely over the last decade to describe our industry. And then read this:

“I am hoping to learn how to fix the things I broke and endure the things that are out of my control.”

"The lack of resources and the need to do more with less creates stress which sometimes feels unbearable. How do I manage? I take a walk, I hydrate, I meditate and tell myself that everything will be ok - but will it?”

"My days feel like I'm shot out of a cannon at 6 a.m. and I don't land until about 7:30 that night.”

“The industry is in such flux, I'm not sure that I'll be able to get to retirement.  So, while I'm not thinking about leaving the business, I am wondering if the business will leave me?”

"I chose journalism because I believed it was the greatest way to make an impact and to do something meaningful. But if the industry no longer values that, maybe it’s time for me to move on to something that does.”

"The goalposts are moving.  Work is scattered. Normal is irregular and irregular is normal. What's the secret to moving forward when change is the only constant?”

"I deserve to unplug from time to time and enjoy my family and carve a life for myself outside the building. The compromise has been less time inside the rundowns and more time nodding along during the meetings and feeling like a phoney. Either the News Directors of my past were made of cold steel and fueled by divorce decrees or they were better at faking it than I am." 

These are real quotes from your colleagues, told to me just over the last year. This workshop is for you, the people on the ground in the newsroom. There are many new titles out there now so let’s use the old titles - News Directors, Assistant News Directors, Executive Producers (for broadcast or multi-platform), if you manage and supervise the people who create the newscast, this workshop is for you.

We will try to tackle the obvious - best practices for leading a team through change, self-care (managing your job and your life), how to build a self-sustaining culture of excellence, managing time, managing up, delegation, accountability, training and team-building, action-planning, building community trust - but it will be up to you to help us tackle the less obvious invisible strains, the anxiety, self-doubt, and tumult that comes with one of the most difficult, complicated jobs in America. 

Be assured - this will not be 4 hours of "woe is me” self-release. If you're still in this job, deep inside, you must be optimistic about the power of our work and our ability to overcome. That is what we will focus on - the optimism. This will be 4 hours of coaching, counseling, learning and leadership through sharing. We will be honest with each other because the 4 walls will hold onto all of our secrets.

You will leave with pragmatic ideas and specific priorities for what do to next, what do after that, and how to take care of yourself. You may also leave with some inspiration about the work we do to serve and build better communities.

Your feedback is important in helping to guide the discussion, so we ask that you take a couple of minutes to answer these short questions in a confidential and anonymous survey at the link below.

Submit Your Feedback Here

Hotel Monteleone

214 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

$239/night + applicable state/local fees

 Reserve Your Room Before May 21

We're so excited to host RTDNA25 at Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans' most celebrated hotel in the French Quarter. Known as the grand dame of Royal Street, Hotel Monteleone is one of the last great family-owned and operated hotels in New Orleans. Since 1886, five generations of Monteleones have dedicated themselves to making their hotel what it was, and still is — a sparkling jewel in the heart of the French Quarter.

With over a century of history, Hotel Monteleone has earned numerous awards and prestige through dedicated service and a commitment to comfort. Our historic hotel is an official literary landmark designated by the Friends of the Library Association and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America, the Preferred Hotel Group, and Associated Luxury Hotels International. Read more about the beautiful hotel's history.

RTDNA5, hosted by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), will bring together hundreds of news directors, producers, reporters, editors, photographers, and other media professionals June 11-13 2025 at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.

Attendees are interested in learning about journalism and media trends, new digital tools, emerging technologies, career opportunities, and more. RTDNA25 will provide job seekers and recruiters with a place to network and explore new opportunities.

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Sponsors Get All the Rewards!

Networking Opportunities

With a small, exclusive number of sponsors, there are plenty of interactive opportunities to connect with attendees. No, we don't have a traditional exhibit floor because we think engaging with attendees is so much more than that. Our opportunities are broad and meaningful, giving you a chance to build great, lasting connections.

Access

Highlight your company, job openings, services or opportunities by branding conference lanyards, Wi-Fi or T-Shirts or becoming the exclusive sponsor of a Happy Hour or the Headshot Studio. Be the exclusive sponsor of a hospitality event like a special event, sponsor a snack break, and more! Create and maintain business relationships during some of the more “social” aspects! 

Exposure

Looking for a way to make an impression? We offer a number of branded and experiential marketing opportunities to engage our audience. Our sponsor recognition package offers optimal exposure. We highlight our sponsors at every turn so you're sure to feel - and be - noticed!

Sponsorship Levels

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