There are so many networking opportunities and official parties throughout the conference, and our ONA Local groups are also organizing their own gatherings to help you connect with digital journalism communities near where you live. Here are some of the meetups where you can find your neighbors while at ONA19.
If you want to gather a group that isn’t listed here around a common geography or interest, we are holding a community space available for group conversations and impromptu meetups. Contact Meghan Murphy at meghan@journalists.org for more information and available hours.
Note: Some meetups have more than one RSVP page because they’re co-hosted by multiple groups. You only need to RSVP with one group. We recommend picking the one closest to you, so you can easily stay in touch about their future events after the conference. All times are CT.
Boston
Come join your fellow greater Bostonians and ONA Boston for an informal meet and greet, just before the ONA New Orleans Welcome Party at The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate.
Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6-7 p.m. at the Pelican Bar in the Sheraton lobby, 500 Canal St. RSVP with ONA Boston.
Chicago
Come meet fellow colleagues and friends from Chicago at an informal lunch after the first morning of sessions. We’ll meet at the Sheraton lobby, then walk together to a nearby restaurant for lunch.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 12:30 p.m., meet at the Pelican Bar in the Sheraton lobby, 500 Canal St. RSVP with ONA Chicago.
Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego
Join ONA Phoenix, ONA LA and ONA San Diego for a joint southwest U.S. meetup on your way to the Opening Night Reception.
Thursday, Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at The Rusty Nail, 1100 Constance St. RSVP with ONA San Diego, ONA LA or ONA Phoenix (whichever is closest to you).
Philadelphia
If you work in, live in or just LOVE Philadelphia, join ONA Philly Friday evening at Molly’s at the Market — long known as a beloved dive bar/watering hole for local journalists — in the French Quarter.
Friday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at Molly’s at the Market, 1107 Decatur St. RSVP with ONA Philadelphia.
Salt Lake City
Make time for a sweet meet and greet with ONA Salt Lake City in the French Quarter. Since Cafe Du Monde is crazy busy, we’ll meet up for dessert on Friday night. Bring your appetite and a friend. Don’t worry, it’s not pricy — $5 gets you coffee and three beignets.
Friday, Sept. 13 at 8-9:30 p.m. at Cafe Du Monde, Cafe Du Monde French Market, 800 Decatur St. RSVP with ONA Salt Lake City.
San Francisco/Silicon Valley
Join your Bay Area neighbors for happy hour and to make a few new friends before walking over to the Opening Night Reception together.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 5:15-6:15 p.m. at the Pelican Bar in the Sheraton lobby, 500 Canal St. RSVP with ONA Silicon Valley or ONA SF (whichever is closest to you).
New Orleans
Join ONA New Orleans and other ONA19 attendees for a welcome mix-and-mingle.
Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7-8:30 p.m. in the lobby of The Times-Picayune / The New Orleans Advocate. Tickets have sold out, but you can join the waitlist.
How to start an ONA Local group
Want to keep the inspiration going after ONA19 and connect with ONA members in your hometown? We have many resources to help you join the ONA Local network and gather digital journalism peers year-round. Drop by the ONA Local Office Hours, Friday, Sept. 13 at 4-5 p.m., to learn more.