Don’t Miss These Events for Journalists in July
July journalist events will cover pitching, vertical video, midterm coverage and more.
Black News 
Welcome to Blogger Events, a monthly column of upcoming blogger and journalist events that we think you should know about. Plan even further ahead and bookmark our page with upcoming events for the entire year.
As we head into the second half of 2026, it’s time to start planning your event calendar for the rest of the year. July offers several unique opportunities for journalists and media professionals, covering topics like pitching, newsroom management, midterm coverage and vertical video creation.
Keep reading to see what’s coming in July.
July 8-9: SRCCON
Minneapolis will host Open News’s SRCCON, “where 300 people who care deeply about journalism and their communities come together to talk about the technical and cultural changes that can transform our work.” The highly participatory event features hands-on sessions, conversations and workshops rather than panels.
July 9-10: AAN 2026
Palm Springs will play host to “CaliforniAAN 2026,” the annual event for the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. Sessions on the two-day schedule cover tips for investigative stories, legal advice for media, writing in the age of AI, training for video content creation, story ideas and more.
July 12: How to write story pitches editors will actually read — and commission
Join freelancing expert and former New York Times editor Tim Herrera for this 90-minute pitching deep dive.
July 14-28: The Business of Journalism: Skills for Smarter Decision-Making
This three-part live training from Poynter is “designed to give you the knowledge, confidence and language to engage with the business side of your newsroom.” Learn about fundamentals like revenue models, audience value, and budgeting, and come away with a better understanding of how newsroom decisions are made by hearing from real experts. Learn how the business side of journalism works to improve your storytelling and advance your career.
July 15: Beat Academy: Midterm Prep Webinar (July 2026)
Covering the midterms? Register now for this free, live 75-minute election reporting webinar from Poynter and PolitiFact. Come away with strategies for covering misinformation, new tools and databases for your reporting, new ideas for stories on voters and election issues, and tips for creating an election coverage plan that keeps your team ahead.
July 16-30: Vertical Video for Creators and Journalists
During this three-part course from Poynter, attendees will learn how to script vertical videos from their original reporting, build on-camera confidence, film and edit vertical videos using tools like CapCut and Shorts, publish videos effectively, and develop test-and-learn strategies for creating engaging, compelling videos.
July 22-24: 2026 Indigenous Media Conference
Portland, Oregon, will host the 2026 Indigenous Media Conference. “As someone from the Pacific Northwest, it’s especially meaningful to help bring our community together on these lands. This year’s program will spotlight innovation, mentorship, and collaboration — strengthening the impact of Indigenous media for years to come,” said conference committee co-chair Alyssa London.
July 22-25: NAHJ Conference and Expo
Hispanic journalists and media professionals will gather in New Orleans, the birthplace of Spanish-language journalism in the U.S., for this year’s event. This year’s theme is “The Beat Goes On: Honoring Our Roots and the Future of Hispanic Journalism.” Sessions will cover topics like immigration, Latino voter engagement, press freedom, climate, newsroom diversity and more.
July 23: The art of structuring a longform feature
Tim Herrera has structured this session like a grad school-level course (participation is encouraged!). You’ll analyze a published longform narrative, deconstruct it and learn about what goes into building these kinds of stories.
Coming in August
Aug. 4-25: Adaptive Leadership Skills for First-Time Managers
This is a 4-week interactive virtual course from the Online News Association. It’s designed for new managers in their first two years in a management role, but more experienced managers in need of a reset are also encouraged to attend. Come away with a personalized leadership strategy and have a clear understanding of how to “build creative, collaborative and resilient teams ready to adapt to shifting conditions facing the journalism field now and in the future.”
Aug. 12-16: NABJ Convention & Career Fair
Head to Atlanta for the 50th anniversary of the NABJ 2026 Convention & Career Fair. Hundreds of training sessions, workshops, entertainment and networking events will fill the schedule. The NABJ Career Fair is the country’s largest career expo for Black journalists and media professionals.
Aug. 18-20: LMA Fest 2026
Local Media Fest heads to Chicago this year. Attend sessions on local advertising, ways to reach younger audiences, Google Analytics training, AI’s impact on local news, data protection and more.
Aug. 27-Oct. 1: Lead with Influence (deadline to apply July 27)
During this six-session interactive course, Poynter will teach “informal but influential leaders the skills and strategies to turn workplace challenges into career opportunities.” Learn about your own leadership style and how best to work with other styles. You’ll practice how to give and receive feedback, apply empathy, and navigate work and your wellbeing with intention.
