Deprecated: Assigning the return value of new by reference is deprecated in /nfs/c01/h12/mnt/45176/domains/unitynews.org/html/wp-includes/cache.php on line 99

Deprecated: Assigning the return value of new by reference is deprecated in /nfs/c01/h12/mnt/45176/domains/unitynews.org/html/wp-includes/query.php on line 21

Deprecated: Assigning the return value of new by reference is deprecated in /nfs/c01/h12/mnt/45176/domains/unitynews.org/html/wp-includes/theme.php on line 576
2008 Unity Conference : » ‘This Conference Isn’t a Big Deal’

‘This Conference Isn’t a Big Deal’

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

By Amy Phan
The UNITY News Online

As far as the number of participants who are concerned with security, UNITY “isn’t a big deal,” says assistant director of McCormick Place, Fred Simon. Past events, which included such famous names as Sen. Barack Obama and former presidents, have had much more attendees at McCormick than what’s expected at UNITY.

It’s also mysterious. So secretive, in fact, there almost wasn’t support for this post. After questioning Simon (in all kinds of ways…) how security for this event differs from those with a higher capacity, Simon said (in one swift sound bite):

“We’ve done this before; we’re in touch with federal state agencies and the secret services.”

Of course, Simon couldn’t say more due to “security issues.”

This should come at no surprise. Boasted as the country’s largest convention center, the McCormick Place is known for the big events. UNITY was slated to be one of them, until registration numbers came up short. Like, about 6,000 short.

But ssshhh, don’t tell anyone.

Are these answers about security sufficient? Even though there aren’t as many registered attendees as expected, thousands of people will still be walking around the convention hallways. Will you feel safe at McCormick?

[del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [MySpace] [Newsvine] [StumbleUpon]

topic: UNITY Convention
tags: , , ,

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 am and is filed under Blog, UNITY Convention. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Leave a Reply

Map Your Chicago

Related Coverage of UNITY Convention

Print Edition

UNITY’s Future Still Up In Air
Leaders of UNITY’s member organizations debated whether the organization will continue in its current structure, amid concerns that it may have strayed from its core mission.
NAJA Banquet Spotlights Rich History, Roots
The Native American Journalists Association held its annual banquet Friday at one of the oldest Indian centers in the country.
UNITY Attendance Surpasses 6,500
More than 6,500 journalists, exhibitors and sponsors registered for UNITY ’08, according to event organizers.
Media Expo’s Late Opening Confuses Attendees
There was momentary confusion when the UNITY Career Fair and Media Expo opened at 11 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. as it had the previous two days.
Career Tips To Take And Wear
Conventions offer great learning and career opportunities. But a great first impression is a must – and that comes with the perfect ensemble.
Deceased Journalist Honored At Hall Of Fame Banquet
Not every journalist can stand up at a press association meeting with a 20-minute speaking limit and get away with speaking for an hour and 15 minutes. The late veteran journalist Vernon Jarrett did.
Photographers, Copy Editors Slam Lack Of Workshops
This year’s UNITY convention offered 111 workshops for writers, editors and new media journalists. But the host organization planned no workshops for copy editors, photographers, graphic artists and designers.
Job Fair Loot Goes Beyond Business Cards
For those not on the job hunt, a convention serves as an opportunity to stock up on much more than business cards, and UNITY ’08 is no exception. From the moment they register, conference attendees are greeted with goodies.
Honoree Who Fought For His Job Now Fights Cancer
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lacy Banks made history by becoming the first black sportswriter for his newspaper. Now, he is garnering attention by documenting his battle with prostate and brain cancer in a blog.
UNITY Leaders Meet After 20-Year Hiatus
The first-time leaders of UNITY’s journalist associations convened again, 20 years after they first met.
Press Freedom Advocates Protest Senegal President’s Presence
More than 50 demonstrators will fly into Chicago from around the world to protest a speech by Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade.
CNN Series Replaces Candidates’ Forum
CNN will air a commercial-free screening of the “Black in America” series in place of the canceled presidential candidates’ forum.
3 UNITY Orgs to Vote
NAJA, NAHJ and AAJA are holding elections this year.
Gay Journalists Aim For UNITY Alliance
After 14 years of participation, The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association is not yet a UNITY partner.
Chapter Seeks AAJA Convention Bid For Detroit
The Michigan chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association is bidding to host the 2011 AAJA convention in Detroit.
AAJA Annual Auction Caters To High-End Bidders
AAJA will help make dreams of shopping and dinner dates come true.
Student Projects Focus On Convergence
For the first time, UNITY: Journalists of Color features a converged media-training project for college students.
Travel Plans Could Cost Candidates
Barack Obama, D-Ill., will appear before UNITY convention-goers Sunday, the last day of the gathering for minority journalists.
Weak Economy, Job Cuts Test UNITY
As the journalism industry grapples with job cuts, company sell-offs and a crippled U.S. economy, the revenue and registration numbers have dipped below those for the last UNITY convention.
Download Daily Print Edition (pdf) | View All

UNITY News Radio

View All

Photo Gallery

Fashion In Motion
 
icon for podpress  Fashion In Motion [1:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
View All

UNITY News TV

UNITY News Broadcast 3 - Part 1
UNITY News Broadcast 3 - Pt. 2
UNITY News Broadcast 3, Pt. 3
View All

Video Gallery

UNITY on the Cheap
 
icon for podpress  Flash Video [1:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Interview with Senegalese President
 
icon for podpress  Flash Video [2:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Journalists Gone Wild-UNITY Style
Music, Dance, UNITY
View All

Online Exclusives

Obama Addresses UNITY as Convention Draws to a Close
Sen. Barack Obama addressed thousands of journalists at a live forum on the final day of the UNITY convention in his first appearance since returning to the U.S. after a spending a week overseas.
Indian Image Offensive?
 
icon for podpress  Flash Video [0:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
UNITY Co-Founders Propose Conventions Every Other Year
Co-founders Juan Gonzalez and Will Sutton have proposed UNITY hold joint conventions every two years instead of every four.
Senegal President’s Speech Marred by Fight
A man protesting Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade was assaulted and physically removed from the McCormick Center West on Friday.
UNITY Revenue, Attendance Hold Steady
This year’s UNITY convention revenue and registration are not expected to significantly change compared with 2004 figures, according to UNITY officials.
NAHJ Event Delivered Royal Networking Experience
The air was filled with bustling conversation, bumping music and the aromas of exotic North African cuisine — a feast for the senses.
Persistence Pays Off In Finding Mentors, TV Journalists Say
Finding a mentor could mean the difference between small-market confinement and network glory, NBC panelists said.
ESPN Panel Says Journalists Should Be Versatile
Journalists making the transition from print to multimedia need to keep basic reporting skills central to the story, panelists said.
Opening Ceremony Showcases Variety Within UNITY
Among the vibrant costumes and sacred dancing, Wednesday’s opening ceremony was deeply rooted in important reminders about the craft of journalism.
Looking For Free Shuttle? Check Out The Schedule
Complimentary shuttle service is provided between McCormick Place West and the hotels listed below. Shuttle departs convention center on the hour and half-hour.
Massive Conference, Massive Effort
Planning a convention this big was no easy task.
View All

Blog

Mentors Make Convergence Project Worthwhile
Does the ideal newsroom exist? It does once every four years in a selected city in the United States. It includes hungry reporters and photographers, video editors, producers and camera people for print, web, radio and TV from all over the nation. You name it, we’ve got it. The UNITY News, that is our name, convergence and diversity is our game.
Top Five Things to Do
If you’re like me, you’re a little sad that the UNITY convention is coming to a close. On the bright side, you still have Saturday to make the most of your trip.
AP, The New York Times And Wal-Mart?
There are a few names you might not expect to see when you turn the corner at the career expo, such as Amtrak, World Wrestling Entertainment and Wal-Mart.
Calling All Freelancers! (And Those Who Want to Start)
Freelancing can be a lucrative and stable source of income – if you know the tricks of the trade. The workshop called, “Stepchild No more: Becoming a Successful Freelancer," reveals those tricks and much more.
The Ups, Downs of Reaching Out To Bloggers
It’s not often reporters see their stories printed on the back of a T-shirt. But for Howard Witt, the southwest bureau chief of the Chicago Tribune, this was his reality when protesters during a civil rights protest wore "Free the Jena Six" T-shirts featuring his story printed on the back.
Top Five Tips For UNITY Newcomers
Being the new kid on the block can be hard. Here are some tips that will get UNITY newcomers through the action-packed convention.
Looking For Free Shuttle? Check Out The Schedule
Complimentary shuttle service is provided between McCormick Place West and the hotels listed below. Shuttle departs convention center on the hour and half-hour.
On the Beat
Student media project reporters are out getting the latest updates on UNITY 2008.
Getting From “Good” to “Great”
The room looks familiar. I've been here before. Skilled technicians and hard-working journalists have turned a McCormick Convention Center into a newsroom with white-clothed tables weighed with dozens of computers and the hopes of students who want to do what I do, what my colleagues do, for a living: report the news.
‘This Conference Isn’t a Big Deal’
As far as the number of participants who are concerned with security, UNITY "isn’t a big deal," says assistant director of McCormick Place, Fred Simon. Past events, which included such famous names as Sen. Barack Obama and former presidents, have had much more attendees at McCormick than what’s expected at UNITY.
View All