We know that everyone is excited about learning and networking during ONA14. But let’s be honest, you also want to eat, drink, explore and enjoy yourself during your time in Chicago.
We have pulled together an daily itinerary of events — both ONA official events and outside parties that are open to ONA attendees — as well as unique opportunities and fun highlights from our sponsors. We hope that you have a chance to do a lot more than take notes and exchange cards during ONA14.
Wednesday, Sept 24:
9 a.m.-5 p.m., Collab/Space Chicago workshop, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1200, Chicago. Open to all ONA14 attendees, but there is a fee to register for this event.
5:30-8 p.m., Mediashift Mixer. Rittergut Wine Bar, 10 South Wacker Drive, Chicago. Free and open to all ONA14 attendees.
2-9 p.m., Dissection F: Chicago + Happy Hour – Center for Investigative Reporting + Alabama Media Group, School of Art Institute, The Ballroom, 36 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. Free and open to all ONA14 attendees. RSVP required.
All three days of ONA14:
Grab a refreshment in the Disney Parks News Bureau Lounge, a snack with NDN at their recharge space or coffee — featuring pour-over demos with a local roaster — with WordPress, all of which are located on the main Ballroom Promenade.
Our exhibitors will also be hosting contests and sharing snacks and great information at their booths in the Exhibitor Ballroom. Among them, Parse.ly, our t-shirt sponsor, is running a contest to win a mophie cell phone charger — learn more here.
On Thursday and Friday, from 12-2 p.m., grab a bite at one of the nearby food trucks, and then head over to explore the Midway, where there will be unique programming and hands-on opportunities, including a GIF booth and opportunity for headshots – as well as a top-secret event you shouldn’t miss mid-afternoon on Thursday…
Work for Gannett or one of its many properties? Be sure to go to check in at their reception table in the Exhibitor Ballroom on Thursday or head to Salon C, Thursday through Saturday, if you need a break during the day to recharge.
Several other sponsors and supporters are hosting invitation-only events during the conference, both in the hotel and around town, so be sure to check your email (and your Spam filter) and RSVP.
Thursday, Sept 25:
5-6 p.m.: ONA14 First-Timer’s Reception, sponsored by Twitter. Riverwalk Promenade, First Floor at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers. This event is for first-time, registered ONA attendees only and your ONA #1 button doubles as an admission ticket.
Take a selfie with Sue at the Field Museum during the ONA14 Opening Night Party.
6-8 p.m.: ONA14 Opening Night Party at the world-class Field Museum, sponsored by Legacy.com with support from Tribune Content Agency. Bring your badge to get into this networking event, open to all registered conference attendees. Here you’ll have a chance to take some selfies with Sue, the museum’s prized T-Rex, explore the museum’s collection, as well as enjoy appetizers, beer and wine. Buses leave the hotel starting at 6 p.m. and will run on a loop until the party ends.
5:30-7 p.m.: Investigative News Network – Inaugural News Nerd Book Club Meeting. Dollop Coffee and Tea, 345 E Ohio St., Chicago. Open to all ONA14 attendees.
9-10 p.m.: ONA14 Movie Preview and Discussion, hosted by Participant Media. Chicago Ballroom VI at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers. Sneak a peek at the upcoming feature documentary “The Merchants of Doubt,” enjoy dessert, drinks and an in-depth panel discussion on the future of American news in a world of deception, moderated by the Poynter Institute. Open to all registered ONA14 attendees.
Friday, Sept. 26
Noon-3:30 p.m.: Newsroom tours, every 30 mins at NBC 5 Chicago, 454 North Columbus Drive. Located steps from the hotel. All ONA14 attendees are welcome, but RSVPs are required.
5-8 p.m.: WJChat Happy Hour, Billy Goat Tavern, Near Tribune Towers and Wrigley Building, 430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level, Chicago. Free drinks and food. Donation required. All ONA14 attendees are welcome, but RSVPs are necessary.
7-10 p.m.: Knight Foundation Party. Modest, 20 W Kinzie St, Suite 1510 (15th floor). Drinks and appetizers will be served. Open to all ONA14 conference attendees, RSVP and ONA14 badges required for entry. This RSVP will also get you into the Google Party. Space is limited.
7-10 p.m.: Third Annual Google-ONA Party, Google Chicago: 20 W. Kinzie St., 9th floor (about a 15-min walk from the hotel). Google would like to salute another year of great online journalism by ONA members. Come celebrate at Google’s Chicago office. Drinks and appetizers will be served. Capacity limited, so try to arrive early. Open to all ONA14 conference attendees, RSVP and ONA14 badges required for entry.
9 p.m.-midnight: ONA14 Karaoke Bash, sponsored by NewsCred. A rockin’ night of karaoke at Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub, located next to the hotel, at 400 N McClurg Ct, Chicago. Event space is limited, and ONA14 badges are required for entry. Get there early to put your name in for a song, or get one of your colleagues up on the mic.
Saturday, Sept. 27
2-3:30 p.m.: Chicago Architecture Foundation City of Big Data Walking Tour. Free, custom event for ONA14 attendees. RSVP is required. Get details and sign up here.
5-7 p.m. – CUNY Graduate School of Journalism reception, Fountainview Room, Lobby Level, Sheraton Hotel & Towers. Grab some food and drinks, and meet the new dean of the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, Sarah Bartlett, and others from the program. Open to all registered ONA14 attendees, no RSVP required.
6-7 p.m.: ONA14 Diversity Reception, sponsored by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, Telemundo and NBC News Digital Group. Join the NBCUniversal team for appetizers, drinks and networking before the Online Journalism Awards Banquet. RSVP is required to attend, and space is extremely limited.
7-10 p.m.: Online Journalism Awards Banquet, Sheraton Ballroom Level. Support your colleagues and friends, and excellence. Tickets required. Check out the finalists and be sure to follow #OJA2014.