Register now for the June 3-4 conference in Hartford.

The conference promises to be a rewarding 45-hour whirlwind of enrichment, fellowship and fun. The meeting will take place at the newly-renovated Hartford Hilton Hotel and the Connecticut Association of Black Communicators will be your host chapter. The conference theme is "Talent, Preparation, Focus: A Three-Point Shot at Success."

Call the Hilton at (860) 728-5151 to reserve your room at the NABJ discounted rate of $119. That rate may not be available after May 13.

Students and those just starting out will benefit from workshops such as "Training Camp: Getting an Internship," "Score! Landing Your First Job" and "Rookie Tales: Surviving Your First Five Years in the Business" will appeal to you.

Midcareer journalists will enjoy "Playing Fair: Ethics and Integrity in Media," "The Front Office: Media Execs at the Top Speak Out," and "Bullseye: Honing Your Journalistic Skills."

And workshops such as "Staying in the Game: How to Avoid Job Burnout," "The Owners Meeting: Starting Your Own Media Outlet" and "Time Out: Tapping Into Fellowships" will rejuvenate journalism veterans.

Also planned is a keynote luncheon and a candidates' forum. (Remember, its a national election year!)

With a focus on Sports in the Media, ESPN will be a signature sponsor. Also, this is NABJ's 30th anniversary year and there are plans for a Founders Reception to spotlight our media pioneers and founders in the Northeast.

Your presence at the conference will help NABJ send a strong message to the regional media that this organization is serious about improving the skills of its members, the landscape in which they work, and the quality of coverage communities of color receive.

For our new members, Region I includes all of New England and Region II includes New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Following the national convention in August, Regions I and II will merge into the realigned Region I. So let's get a head start on working together. Your regional directors are working hard with CABC and look forward to welcoming you to Hartford, New England's Rising Star.

Region I Director Neal T. Scarbrough and
Region II Director Rachelle Dickerson Christie

Neal Scarbrough Senior News Editor, ESPN ESPN Plaza Building 3 Bristol, CT 06010 (860) 766-2406 Rachelle Dickerson Christie Copy Editor, The Star Ledger, N.J. 1 Star-Ledger Plaza Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 392-4182 (973) 392-5845 fax