Notes From Chicago

My first UNITY Convention -- this is where journalists of color hold a convention merging four major associations every four years and while we didn't get the joint Presidential forum as promised (no McCain, Obama Sunday after most are scheduled to leave) it has been a rich experience.

NABJ President Barbara Ciara gave a rousing speech to help kick things off and the dance program featuring cultures representing NABJ, AAJA, NAHJ and NAJA were just spectacular -- check out coverage on the RTNDA website for video, photos and more. Special thanks to RTNDA's Tara Sheehan for the use of the Flip and Melanie Lo for making sense of it all!
One down note from my perspective was Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's welcome address, which he took up as an occasion to give the media a jab. Disappointing to hear those in the audience -- those folks who he was targeting his comments to as well as the "main stream" folks across the hall -- applaud. I'm wondering if Mayors Daley and Plusquellic have a Toastmaster's book they both use with a "beat up the media" chapter, 'cause it sure sounded familiar from the tongue-lashings from South High.

It was fun to get this assignment and RTNDF Chair Bill Roswell of KYW in Philadelphia and I shared a chuckle that it was the radio boys getting the nod to deliver the video. Another sign of the changing times as well as a tip of the hat to Poynter's Al Tompkins who's extensive reporting on the ease of Flip web presentation provided some inspiration.
Even with the dour talk (hard to escape hearing when print and broadcast media get together, especially with job searching on the line) its always uplifting to be around fellow journalists who still share a passion for the basic reason why we got in the business. Thursday night was no exception...

Personal highlight of running into someone you know: the six degrees of fireworks separation on the Michigan Avenue bridge crossing the Chicago River (it's that famous shot right below the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower) as we ran into Fox Chicago's Andrew Finlayson (also one of our Illinois RTNDA state coordinators). Andrew was just hanging out at the center of the bridge watching the Navy Pier fireworks show, totally unexpected (both the show and Andrew sighting) just after the sun went down Wednesday evening. Great show and fun sharing the moment with a friend-I-didn't-expect to see; he tells me he likes walking home on nice weather nights, just across the river, especially on fireworks nights. A great perk that probably isn't included in the job but memorable in Chicago, and not just for us tourists.

Also ran into Steve Hyvonen, the former WEWS News Director (now in Orlando); former Channel 5 GM and ND John Butte, now running his own talent management agency; Lyn Tolan from WSYX and WBNS's John Cardenas in Columbus; Dan Salamone from WOIO among hundreds of others. Nearly five thousand attendees for this largest collection of journalists under one roof. Very interesting experience for what also seems to be the biggest job fair in the nation for newspeople -- print, broadcast and online.

Random observation: Chicago is a vibrant, exciting city but with only one hotel attached to the giant McCormick Place exhibition hall means many attendees are a shuttle bus away; in my case, along the river at the Sheraton down from the Navy Pier. Buses serving attendees take the McCormick Busway, an out-of-sight buses-only route that runs beneath and adjacent to Grant Park. It's the roadway alongside the Metra commuter rail lines you see when walking in the park to Buckingham Fountain, Soldier Field or the Field Museum. Half of it is underneath the park, parking garages or elevated plazas so it's always fun picking up the legion of cellphone and crackberry users muttering 'can you hear me now?"

Nice sponsorship opportunity for Verizon '“ insert here.