FAQs

You can find detailed registration rates on our registration page. The page also covers information about how registration supports ONA, group discounts and other details.

Attending the OJA luncheon requires a separate ticket. You can purchase a ticket at the same time as registration. If you don’t purchase your ticket at the same time as your registration, you can purchase a ticket at any time. See our registration page for details.

For those attendees who opted to purchase the separate ticket to attend the Online Journalism Awards Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 12 from 1-3 p.m., lunch will be included.

Some sponsors host meal events such as breakfasts, lunches and receptions. These events have limited capacity and require advanced sign-up.

Otherwise, meals and coffee are not included as part of an ONA25 registration pass.

Some sponsors may have food and beverages at their booth spaces in the Midway Exhibit Hall.

Yes, our registration platform allows you to do this directly. Please check your confirmation email from registration@journalists.org.

Within the email is a personalized URL that starts with https://www.edgereg.net Click through that to make any changes, including purchasing tickets for the OJA luncheon.

Some events and sessions have limited space and will operate on an RSVP and sign-up system. These opportunities for ONA25 will be available as we get closer to the conference. When opportunities open for RSVP, registered attendees will receive an email from registration@journalists.org inviting them to sign up for workshops or sessions that require advance sign-up.

To make sure you get future emails about your ONA25 pass, sign-up opportunities and other conference updates, add registration@journalists.org and newsletter@journalists.org to your contacts.

Information gathered from attendees during registration helps us see trends and patterns, as well as plan programming, networking activities and events. ONA does not sell attendee contact information and we work to keep your contact information secure. Read more about how we handle guest information.

We’ve been notified that some attendees have received emails from companies claiming to have access to ONA conference attendee lists. We do not sell or rent our attendee list, and we do not have a relationship with any of these companies. We encourage anyone who receives any outreach about attendee lists to not click on any links or respond.

If you require a U.S. visa to attend ONA25, you may request a confirmation of registration document only after you have completed registration for a full ONA25 pass and paid the conference registration fee, if applicable. Please note: ONA will not provide visa support letters for day-pass registrants; you must be registered for the full ONA25 conference.

To request a letter from ONA for your visa application, please fill out this form.

If your visa application is not approved or you are otherwise unable to attend ONA25, your registration and/or OJA banquet ticket purchase will be refunded in full and you will not incur an administrative fee by ONA. Please note that refunds for foreign transactions may be subject to fees charged by your financial institution and that ONA is not responsible for any such fees. Request a registration refund or transfer.

The first look at the ONA25 schedule will be released in early June. Additional sessions will be added through August.

As the premier gathering of highly engaged digital journalists who are shaping the future of media, ONA’s annual conference offers interactive learning sessions, in-depth workshops, community-connecting gatherings, career-boosting guidance opportunities, and networking events with some of the most innovative minds in digital news media. Attendees are a diverse professional community, including audience and analytics experts; news product, strategy and business executives and entrepreneurs; and creator journalists, editors, reporters and broadcasters. Our participants range from experienced veterans at international news outlets to representatives from major tech companies to leaders of local news startups and independent creator journalists to those just getting started in their media careers.

ONA25 programming is centered primarily on the following three areas of focus:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Climate
• Resilience

Under those three focus areas, the conference will include the following areas of practice:

• Leadership, strategy and culture
• Technology and product
• Reporting and editing
• Revenue and sustainability
• Audience development
• Entrepreneurship and creator journalism

These areas of focus and practice follow ONA’s overall program strategy for 2025. 

The majority of programming for the ONA annual conference comes through a public submission process called the Suggestion Box. The ONA25 Suggestion Box will open for submissions in March 2025. Be sure to subscribe to the conference newsletter to receive updates on specific submission period dates and details.

ONA25 will be an in-person experience in New Orleans for registered attendees focused on interactive learning and community connection. Livestreaming will not be available.

ONA offers year-round virtual programming. Check out our events calendar for upcoming opportunities and be sure to subscribe to the ONA Weekly newsletter for the most up-to-date announcements..

Please find the most up-to-date accessibility information on the ONA25 Accessibility page, which we keep regularly updated as the conference approaches.

The host hotel offers complimentary wifi to guests staying at ONA’s discounted rate. If you book at our special rate before sellout, you’ll have wifi included in your room free of charge.

Wifi access is included with your conference registration. You will receive a password when you check in at the conference registration desk. Attendees are often trying to connect with multiple devices, so like any conference, we do experience latency / outages from time to time that we work quickly to resolve.

Yes, a caregiver / nursing room will be provided. Please note guests will need to sign up in advance for a time. This space is available to anyone who needs a private place to pump or breastfeed. A refrigerator will be available in the room for temporary storage.

Beyond common sense attire for a professional hotel setting, there’s no set dress code. Most attendees dress anywhere from business casual to casual, including jeans in many cases. Comfortable shoes are a must for walking through the large hotel space.

Please note that New Orleans likely will be very hot outdoors in September, and you’ll want to dress in light-weight clothes. Hotels try to keep conference rooms cool for presenters, but temperatures can fluctuate based on heating/cooling cycles and capacity. You may want to consider an extra layer for indoor activities in case it’s cool.

Exhibitor/Attendee Housing Scam Notice: At past events, we’ve been notified that several exhibitors and conference attendees have received calls and/or emails from companies claiming to be an agent of, or associated with, ONA and offering discounted room rates. We do not have a relationship with any of these companies. All bookings should be made directly with our host hotel.

Read more on this issue.

ONA is committed to providing a positive and welcoming environment for all attendees throughout our gathering in New Orleans. We have detailed security and emergency preparedness plans in place, as well as coordination with the host hotel on security procedures.

Code of Conduct

ONA’s Code of Conduct lays out clear expectations for staff, supporters, volunteers, speakers and attendees to create a welcoming and inclusive gathering.

Public health

Gathering in large groups carries inherent health risks. If you feel sick, take care and stay home or in your hotel room. ONA25 is a mask-friendly and mask-optional environment. We encourage attendees to do what is best for their health and take precautions as necessary. We will have masks, hand sanitizer and typical first aid supplies available.

Privacy

Information gathered from attendees during registration helps us see trends and patterns, as well as plan programming, networking activities and events. We will use name, job title, organization, and social handles to create an attendee list that is shared with registered attendees only. ONA does not sell attendee contact information such as emails, phone numbers, and addresses. Learn more about our privacy policy.

The ONA25 mobile app helps attendees create their own schedule and find people with similar interests. Attendees control their visibility, and only people with confirmed registration can access the app.

Reporting an issue

Email safety@journalists.org to report any issues. This address forwards to ONA staff members Liz Leith, Head of Finance and Administration, Meghan Murphy, Director of Programs, and Kelsey Proud, Interim Head of Programs.