The MPA’s annual conference will be held Saturday, Oct. 18 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (363 Maine Mall Road) in Portland.
A full day of events is planned, including informative sessions, the 2025 Hall of Fame induction luncheon, the annual conference auction & reception, and the 2025 Better Newspaper Contest dinner and banquet.
Come to the conference and engage with other MPA members, learn something new at the variety of programming, drive up the bidding at the auction, and cheer on your comrades and friends as we name Best Newspaper, Best Website, Journalist of the Year, Best Young Writer, Advertising Person of the Year, Mentor of the Year (a new accolade!), and Unsung Hero at the awards dinner & banquet.
All winners of the 2025 Better Newspaper Contest were notified August 29th, with the exception of the special and individual awards — General Excellence, Freedom of Information, Journalist of the Year, Advertising Person of the Year, Bob Drake Young Writer, Unsung Hero, Mentor of the Year — which will be revealed at the awards banquet.
This year, we’re inducting three into the MPA Hall of Fame: George Danby, longtime editorial cartoonist for the Bangor Daily News; Dennis Hoey, a respected night reporter for the Portland Press Herald; and John Ewing, a celebrated photojournalist and mentor, also with the Portland Press Herald. Read more about their accomplishments.
Hotel Reservations
Conference hotel room reservations for the nights of Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 must be made directly with the DoubleTree. We have a room block reserved at a special MPA rate of $199. Click here to book online or call 207-775-6161. The hotel reservation deadline is Friday, Oct. 3. The hotel will try but cannot guarantee group rate and room availability beyond this date.
Conference Registration
Registration is required for attendance at the conference, regardless of whether you plan to attend programming, the Hall of Fame Induction luncheon, and/or the awards dinner & banquet. The conference registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 3. Click here for the registration form.
Programming Schedule
8:45 – 9:15 a.m.
Annual Business Meeting
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
There’s always a local angle: From Trump to immigration and climate
Between President Donald Trump’s battle with Gov. Janet Mills over federal funding, to ICE raids around the state and pending Medicaid cuts, we’re 10 months into the biggest story of a generation. Reporters across the state have been swarming the local impacts, which go far beyond traditional newspaper beats. In this panel, some of the state’s top reporters will share their tips, experiences and solutions for localizing major issues that start at the federal level, and breaking local stories that go national. This panel discussion will be led by Dan MacLeod of the Bangor Daily News, and include Emmett Gartner of The Maine Monitor, Callie Ferguson of the Bangor Daily News and Riley Board of the Portland Press Herald.
10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
How Maine newsrooms are working together instead of competing
As newsrooms have shrunk, we are all trying to do more with less. Collaborations between newsrooms can result in richer, deeper reporting that can reach a wider audience. Hear from newsrooms who have undertaken reporting collaborations and how they capitalized on strengths, navigated differences, and delivered impactful reporting. This panel discussion will be led by Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm of The Maine Monitor, and include Michael Shepherd of the Bangor Daily News, Josh Keefe of The Maine Monitor, Julia Arenstam of the Maine Trust for Local News and Alex Seitz-Wald of the Midcoast Villager.
Beyond Print: Using New Platforms to Help Your Clients
In a rapidly evolving media landscape, traditional print is no longer the only channel clients rely on to reach their audiences. In this session, Angela Marcolini will explore how sales teams can move beyond print to become trusted strategic partners by embracing solution-based selling. Drawing on real-world examples from Pulse Marketing Agency — a full-service firm and sister company to the Bangor Daily News — Angela Marcolini and Jasmine Cabanaw will share insights into how value-driven, platform-agnostic strategies can help your clients reach the right people at the right time. From targeted digital advertising and search engine marketing to content strategies and social engagement, today’s media reps have more tools than ever to deliver meaningful outcomes. This presentation will focus on: How to shift from transactional sales to long-term client partnerships; Building custom solutions that integrate digital and traditional tactics; Elevating trust and loyalty through measurable results; Driving new revenue streams by solving client problems—not just selling ad space.
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Hall of Fame Luncheon: Join us at the Hall of Fame luncheon to honor some of Maine’s most influential journalists. This year’s inductees include George Danby, John Ewing and Dennis Hoey (inducted posthumously).
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
Sustaining Local News: What is the opportunity for public support in Maine?
Maine newspapers are leading the country in attempting innovative ways to sustain their local news operations, from for-profit to non-profit and everything in between, including collective fundraising and sustainability collaborations. Now a new initiative is being put forward through the legislature that would provide financial assistance to newsrooms to incentivize the hiring and retention of local journalists in the form of a refundable employment tax credit, with an emphasis on helping Maine’s smallest community newsrooms grow stronger. This mimics legislation successfully adopted in other states. Learn more about the draft legislation, how it would work, and what the opportunity is for your newsroom. Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm will moderate a discussion with Susan Patterson Plank, Rebuild Local News, Dan MacLeod, incoming MPA President, and Chris Jackson, Mitchell Tardy Jackson.
Unlock the skills that will take your journalism career to the next level
In this workshop, you’ll learn the essential skills and strategies that will get you noticed in the newsroom — from pitching smart stories and mastering deadlines to writing with impact and building your personal brand. Whether you’re aiming for a bigger beat, a senior role, or more editorial influence, this session will give you the tools, habits, and mindset to stand out and advance. This panel discussion will be led by Faith DeAmbrose of the Mount Desert Islander, and include Sawyer Loftus of the Bangor Daily News, Christine Simmonds of the Midcoast Villager and Eric Russell of the Portland Press Herald.
3 – 4:30 p.m.
Navigating the Legal Minefield: A Journalist’s Guide to Press Freedom
Join acclaimed media lawyer Sig Schutz for a crucial session on the evolving landscape of press freedom. With decades of experience defending journalists and news organizations, Sig will share practical tips on overcoming obstacles to ensure transparency and accountability, including the rise in subpoenas to journalists, the pressure to self-censor, proposals to loosen libel laws and how to push back on denials of public access.
5 – 6 p.m.
Scholarship Auction and Reception
6:30 p.m.
Awards Dinner and Banquet
Conference Auction
We have some fantastic items already being donated: getaways around Maine, tickets for performances and attractions, restaurant gift cards, jewelry and more! Funds raised at the auction help us achieve our goals, one of which is awarding scholarships to support the next generation of journalists.
We are asking each member newsroom to commit to soliciting one or two (or more!) items to be part of this year’s auction. We’re looking for items to be auctioned off, in either live or silent fashion. The more interesting and unique the items are, the more potential they have to bring in the cash.
Donations are tax-deductible, and donating businesses will be listed on promotional materials and given exposure during the conference. Once you’ve secured auction items, let us know by emailing Angela Marcolini at moc.y1761936164cnega1761936164gnite1761936164krame1761936164slup@1761936164inilo1761936164crama1761936164 and George Harvey at gro.r1761936164otino1761936164menia1761936164meht@1761936164egroe1761936164g1761936164 with a description of the item, an approximate cash value, and the name of the donor and/or contributing newspaper. Items can be arranged for pick up by a board member or brought directly to the conference.
Special thanks to the following for already contributing:
About Face
Amato’s
Amjambo Africa
Bar Harbor Inn / Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co
Boothbay Harbor Lobster Treats
Boston Red Sox
Connie Sage Conner
Cross Insurance Center
DaVinci’s Italian Eatery
Desert of Maine
Doug Warren
Ellsworth American
Gifford’s Ice Cream
Governor’s Restaurant & Bakery
Harpswell Anchor
House of Logan
Judy Meyer
Lafeytte Hotels
Lincoln County News
Lincoln News
Lynda Clancy
Maine Film Center
Maine Footy
Maine Forest Yurts
Maine Mariners
Maine Maritime Museum
Maine Morning Star
Maine Trust for Local News
Maine Windjammer Cruises
Mallory Portraits
Margolis Pineo Italia
Meredith Cough
Midcoast Villager
Miss Portland Diner
Morton and Furbish
Mount Desert Islander
Peaks Island News
Penobscot Bay Pilot
Penobscot Bay Press
Portland Hearts of Pine
Portland Ovations
Portland Stage
Portland Symphony Orchestra
Robinson’s Wharf
Saddleback Mountain
Smithereen Farm + Eat Downeast
Sweet Bay
Springer’s Jewelers
The Maine Monitor
Waterstruck Wellness
Wurth USA
York’s Wild Kingdom