PLA National Conference Media Policy

Those requesting media registration must be currently employed by a publication or news organization. Each organization is limited to no more than five media representatives, except newsletters, which are limited to one. Account representatives, sales executives, book authors, and engineers do not meet the criteria for media registration. You must fall under one of the following media guidelines to receive media registration:

Media Guidelines

Business and Trade Publications/News Wire Services
Reporters and editors from magazines, newspapers, trade publications, and wire services must provide a business card. Contributing editors and reporters must verify they have been retained to cover the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by presenting a letter of assignment.

Television and Radio
Broadcast reporters and producers from news organizations must provide a business card and a letter of assignment.

Freelance Writers
Freelance writers must verify they have been retained to cover the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by presenting a letter of assignment.

Online Publications
Reporters from online publications must provide a business card and a letter of assignment. The Web site must contain editorial content and cover library issues. Personal web pages and blogs will not be accepted.

Newsletters
Newsletter reporters must verify they have been retained to cover the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by presenting a letter of assignment. Newsletter publications will be limited to one media representative.

Media/Press Passes

It is strongly recommended that press who plan to cover the PLA National Conference register in advance. Press badges are granted to editorial press only and provide full admission to the exhibits and all education sessions. However, paid special events, including author luncheons, the Audio Publishers Association dinner, and tours, must be registered and paid for separately. Press badges will not be mailed out pre-show and must be picked up onsite. 

Registration Instructions

To register for a press badge, please send the following in an email to Louisa Worthington, PLA manager of marketing and communications at lworthington@ala.org: name, organization, title, address, phone number, fax, and email. In addition, to verify editorial status, please send a copy of your business card or a letter of assignment from your publication. You can fax this to 312-280-5029, attn: Louisa Worthington, or include a pdf document in your email. The deadline for advance registration is one week prior to the PLA National Conference. After this date, media representatives will need to register on-site at the PLA press room.

On-site registration
All members of the media who have not registered in advance must register at PLA National Conference press room. The press room opens at 9 a.m. on the first day of conference programming, but check the online Conference press kit to confirm dates and times.

If you have questions, please email Louisa Worthington at lworthington@ala.org.