How to vote for Lightning Talks and ONA19 Unconference sessions

Each year ONA conference attendees get a last-minute chance to contribute to the conference programming by submitting pitches for Lightning Talks and Unconference sessions — and voting for their favorites to add to the schedule.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their topic ideas! Voting is open Thursday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. CDT, through Friday, Sept. 13, 5 p.m. CDT. You can vote online or visit the Registration Desk (Grand Foyer, fifth floor of Sheraton) to cast your ballot. We will notify top vote-getters on Friday night and update the schedule as soon as we can.

Lightning Talks are generously supported by Trisolute News Dashboard. Pitches answer the question, “What will newsrooms look like in 10 years’ time (in terms of roles, structure, physical space, etc)?” Attendees who pitched the winning ideas will deliver five-minute lightning talks during an energetic session Saturday, Sept. 14, 4–5 p.m in the Waterbury Ballroom (Second floor, Sheraton).

The Unconference receives support from Chorus by Vox Media. These sessions are hour-long conversations on important topics we may not have covered elsewhere in the conference programming. Sessions will take place Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 4–5 p.m. in the Sheraton hotel (check the schedule for exact locations).