Put away your PDA and shut down your e-mail. Forget about your boss, your deadlines, the dental appointment you missed last week (you were finishing a story), and your dry cleaning (which you couldn’t pick up because, well, you were finishing a story).

Now close your eyes and drop every preconceived notion you have about a “work conference.” Forget the droning lectures, endless PowerPoint presentations and ice-cold conference rooms. Instead, start California dreamin'.

NLGJA’s National Convention is a different kind of convention. Enjoy dynamic presentations, interactive training opportunities and grab hold of the opportunity to revitalize the energy and excitement that brought you to journalism in the first place.

And it certainly doesn’t hurt that this is our second consecutive year in a tropical climate with swaying palms and beverages served with mini umbrellas.

The following List of Persuasions is intended to prove why “Breaking Stories, Breaking Waves,” NLGJA’s 2007 National Convention & 4th Annual LGBT Media Summit, might just be the single-most inspirational and informative conference you’ll be invited to this year.

• You'll get three full days of continuing education on industry trends, personal productivity, and coverage issues and techniques. This is content you won’t find anywhere else. It’s like going back to college, except we feed you and there’s no phys ed requirement. 

• This is a conference of people. Over 650 of them. Thinkers, doers, writers, broadcasters, teachers, speakers, copy editors, publishers, listeners, designers, directors, dreamers, bloggers, podcasters, leaders, reporters, editors, freelancers, and, hmm, public relations-ers. 

• Whether you’re actively seeking a new job or just quietly daydreaming of something different, NLGJA’s Career & Community Exposition will be your chance to explore the job market. Come with résumés, business cards and a blinding 1000-watt smile. 

• You'll be addressed (and hopefully inspired by) some of the leading voices in journalism and communications today. Approximately 150 subject-area experts joined us in 2006. That’s an impressive pool of experiences and ideas. (Oh, did we mention that there’s also a real pool? And a spa? And a gym and running trails and…) 

• Professional development, personal enrichment, power networking and San Diego over Labor Day Weekend! Let all of the sun, surf and history that makes this one of sunny California’s most sought-out destinations propel you through a weekend that just might change your lease on life. 

• There’s free stuff involved, like a convention swag bag, meals, cocktails and canapés at receptions, and an Expo Hall full of chatskies that you’re only supposed to take one of, but well, everyone sneaks at least two or three. (It’s for my nephew!) 

Long story short, with over 50 sessions and workshops, six networking receptions, and the only job fair in the country for LGBT media professionals, NLGJA’s National Convention is a hands-down bargain that’s priced to move…you.