With apologies to David Letterman and from the home office in Atikokan, Ontario, here are the Top 10 reasons to come to ISWNE’s conference in Toronto this June.
Number 10: The Pre-Conference in Niagara Falls. Did you have to settle for a honeymoon some place drab like Jamaica, the Côte d’Azur or Bora Bora? Come early and get the honeymoon you should have had in Niagara Falls. Spend a day exploring this natural wonder, including a chance to get up close and personal with the falls itself. Of course, no trip to Niagara would be complete without a stop at one of the region’s award-winning wineries and a taste of ice wine for the members of ISWNE.
Number 9: The Money. Did you know that all of Canada’s paper money isn’t actually paper? Or how about the fact that our $1 coin is called a “loonie” because it has a picture of a loon on it, but our $2 coin, which has a picture of a polar bear, is called a “toonie?” Another fun fact is that your American dollar or British pound goes a lot farther in Canada than it does back home. Not only does that mean you can fill your suitcases with more maple syrup for less money than you could in Vermont, but that we may be able to provide more conference for the same cost as you’re used to.
Number 8: The Hotline Live. If you put 50 editors and publishers in a room you’ll get at least 75 different opinions, but you’ll also get some of the best journalistic and business advice you could ever ask for. That’s why we’re setting aside time for a structured, yet free-wheeling discussion of whatever’s on your mind. It’s just like the Hotline, but without the wear and tear on your fingers. Bring your questions and your answers and get ready to learn from and teach some of the best minds in the community newspaper business.
Number 7: The Chance to Eat and Drink Like a Canadian. You could be forgiven for thinking that enjoying a Beaver Tail and then washing it down with a Moosehead is the sort of thing that trappers do while huddled around a campfire in the bush. You might be surprised that not only do Canadians put ketchup on their French fries, but that it also comes on some of our potato chips. You may need a note from your doctor to eat a poutine, but it’s more than worth the effort. While we can’t promise that all meals, snacks and beverages will be 100 percent local to the Great White North, we will make sure that you leave with a Canadian taste in your mouth.
Number 6: No Surprise Roommates. The residence hall at Toronto Metropolitan University that we’ve reserved is all single rooms, which means no having to pay extra to ensure that you don’t have to make a new friend by living with them. All rooms at the International Living/Learning Centre come with a full- or queen-sized bed and a private bathroom.
Number 5: The CP Style Quiz. Andy Schotz’s AP Style quizzes were a highlight of many conferences past as they provided members a chance to show off their knowledge of the latest rules and guidance from the Associated Press. However, since we’re going to be in Canada, this year’s quiz will be on the Canadian Press Style Guide. Is it “labor” or “labour”? Which prime ministers are capitalized and which are not? When is it acceptable to use imperial measurements rather than metric ones? Study up or guess along as you get a taste of how Canadian copy works.
Number 4: The Chance to Explore Southern Ontario. If you come early or stay late, there is so much to do in-and-around Toronto. Love Shakespeare? Take a trip down the highway to the world-famous Stratford Festival. Want to see where the epoch began? Head to Crawford Lake, where not only can you see the place a group of scientists have chosen to mark the beginning of the Anthropocene, but also explore the reconstructed 15th century Indigenous Longhouse Village on the site. Neither of those float your boat? Don’t worry, because there’s something for everyone within driving distance of Canada’s largest city.
Number 3: A Chance to Learn. Conferences aren’t all fun and games, and while it’s important that you enjoy yourself, it’s also important that souvenirs aren’t the only things you take home. That’s why we’re looking at doing sessions on AI for small newspapers, how to report on Indigenous communities, issues and individuals, and how we do things different here in Canada in terms of laws, journalistic practice and how things work. We want to offer a mix of items that are both timely and the sort of thing that you’re not going to get at any other conference.
Number 2: The Weather. For those of you who have never experienced Toronto in June, think Atlanta only when it does rain, it actually knocks the humidity back to tolerable levels. While the average ambient temperature is 24 degrees, that doesn’t take into account how muggy it can get. Be sure to bring your summer clothes and plenty of sunscreen, but, as we found out last year in Reno, normal temperature trends don’t always hold for our conferences, so be sure to throw in a sweater, jumper or jacket just to be safe. Also, remember that we use Celsius, so if you wake up and hear hear on the radio that it’s 32 degrees, don’t go bundling up against the chill.
Number 1: A Chance to see all Your ISWNE Friends. Do you really need a better reason? Our conferences are a chance to get together with a bunch of really great people from around the world to talk shop, have fun and remind us that, while it may seem like it at times, we’re not alone. Come to Toronto, see your friends, make some new ones and get energized to go home and keep fighting the good fight.
See you in June.
