Dear NABJ members:

Wondering why you should attend Unity 2004? Try this: More than 150 workshops featuring top journalists and managers, and being with thousands of your colleagues and gaining priceless memories of the largest U.S. gathering of journalists ever.

Were talking strength in numbers! Thousands of NABJ have already registered for the convention and you should, too.

Since then-NABJ President Condace Pressley appointed us to represent our association on the UNITY 2004 Program Committee last year, we've been working to help make this convention a force for change and meaningful for you.

The committee is putting finishing touches on lots of solid programming for professionals, students, managers, educators, etc. The focus is on the real issues we deal with each day in our newsrooms and as we go about perfecting our craft and providing ethical, accurate and diverse coverage.

The deadline to register at reduced rates for the convention has been extended until July 1. Miss this deadline and it will cost much more to learn, for example, how to break into the big leagues before 30, how to manage a diverse newsroom, the fine art of copy editing, covering changing communities, teaching diversity and the future of ethnic media ownership. Listing every workshop takes 144 pages on Adobe Acrobat.

Additionally, hot topics like convergence, ethnic media, journalism fellowships, winning writing and surviving in the workplace are sure to leave you with new ideas and strategies to benefit you once back home.

Dont attend UNITY 2004 and youll only hear about such intense presentations and discussions as Brown vs. Board of Education: 50 Years Later, Journalists Under Fire, The Impact of Media Consolidation on Journalism, and How to Land a Really Cool Gig. Wouldnt you rather experience all this and more firsthand?

Weve invited many newsmakers and dignitaries, including President George W. Bush; Sen. John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Then, as always, you can count on hearing from some of the best among us. We've tapped into dynamic professionals from NABJ and our alliance groups to insure that we are providing solid, informative sessions. Well hear from Time Warner chairman Dick Parsons, members of the Federal Communications Commission, several Pulitzer Prize winners and others.

We also have NABJ business to conduct. Theres an important election to address the makeup of the Board of Directors. We will honor members and chapters and pay tribute to those who have departed since we saw one another in Dallas last year.

Many of you responded when we asked for workshop topics. Now, were asking everyone to renew and register before July 1. Dont get stuck having to pay as much as $700 on site. Help NABJ as we move forward on the path to economic and financial stability and freedom.

And, just as importantly, do yourself a favor. Think about NABJ. Think about your future. In helping to plan this convention, we did!

Dont miss Unity 2004.

Bob Butler and Cheryl Smith NABJ Representatives UNITY 2004 Program Committee

Cheryl Smith Bob Butler