The 2026 AWSM conference is coming soon! We are excited to host this event in Los Angeles, co-sponsored by Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Aug. 9-11.
Please fill out this form to complete your registration. After your membership level is verified, you will receive a bill that must be paid in order to complete your registration.
Details on the conference:
Workshop times are subject to change and new speakers will be announced leading up to the event.
SUNDAY, AUG. 9
At Crypto.com Arena
4 p.m. - Be our guest at the Sparks vs. Valkyries game
MONDAY, AUG. 10
At ASU California Center in downtown LA
9 a.m. - President Marisa Ingemi welcomes members to Convention 2026. Coffee and pastries.
10-11:30 a.m. - Press conference intel: Players and coaches from within women's sports share their greatest challenges working with the media and hear from us about our jobs on gameday.
11:30-12:15 p.m. - Break and networking
12:15-2 p.m. - The annual AWSM awards luncheon honoring our Pioneer and Service Award winners.
2-2:30 p.m. - Break for photos and networking
2:30-4 p.m. - Surviving in sports media today: The sports media landscape has never been more challenging with fewer full time opportunities. Our panelists share strategies for launching a paid newsletter, pitching and writing a book and landing freelance play by play, sideline and reporting jobs.
Panelists:
- New York Times bestselling author Mirin Fader
- Newsletter editor and publisher Marisa Ingemi
More speakers to be announced soon.
7 p.m. - Join us for the Dodgers vs. Royals game at Dodger Stadium
TUESDAY, AUG. 10
At ASU California Center in downtown LA
9 a.m. - Student chapter of the year and AWSM Scholars recognition followed by our Ask the Pros panel. Get advice on job hunting, negotiating a raise or job change within print/digital, social, TV spaces and team communications and elevating your brand.
10:15-10:30 a.m. - Networking break
10:30-12 p.m. - The Athletic's rapid response news team shares how it turns breaking news into deeper investigations and offers a how-to on breaking news for journalists with fewer resources.
12:30-2 p.m. - Our Tuesday luncheon: Watch for a coming announcement on special speakers.
2-2:30 p.m. - Break for networking
2:30-4 p.m. - Lessons in leadership: How do you learn to manage (and manage up) on the fly, often with more demands and fewer resources. Representatives from The Athletic, MLB.com, Warner Media and the Los Angeles Times share advice for navigating the office in a fast-changing media environment.
6 p.m. - AWSM closing party at Untamed Spirits
Thanks to our sponsors, AWSM is offering select grants for professionals members seeking assistance with the $100 registration fee.
To apply for a grant, fill out this form by July 15.
If you have any questions, please email awsmboard@gmail.com.
AWSM recommends the following preferred hotels for those attending our August conference in Los Angeles. We are working to negotiate potential discounts for our conference dates and will alert members when any group discount codes become available.
The downtown locations are within walking distance or short rideshare to our conference at the ASU California Center Broadway at 1111 S Broadway Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA, 90015.
The airport hotel carries a slightly lower cost per night but would require a car or rideshare to reach our conference location.
HOTELS NEAR LA LIVE AND THE ASU CALIFORNIA CENTER BROADWAY:
(Within walking distance or short rideshare of the conference)
citizenM Los Angeles Downtown (Marriott)
361 S Spring St., Los Angeles, CA, 90013
The Wayfarer Downtown LA (Hilton)
813 S Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90017
Hotel Figueroa (Hyatt)
939 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015
LAX HOTEL OPTION
(Car or rideshare required to reach the conference)
Hilton Garden Inn LAX Los Angeles Airport
5249 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90045
