Tune Foremost LGBT Journalism Conference to Be Held in September

Washington, D.C. – The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) released a dozen reasons today to attend its 2009 National Convention & 6th Annual LGBT Media Summit in Montreal , QC , Canada on Sept. 10-13, 2009 . But it's turning to Twitterers to identify the top reason.

NLGJA's “Tweet-Your-Top-Reason Contest” launches July 28 at noon EST and will run through midnight EST on Aug. 5. Contest participants will use their Twitter account to reply to @NLGJA. The contestant offering the best reason will receive a free convention registration (a $395 U.S. value), while the runner-up will receive a $200 discount on registration. Full contest information is available here .

“We can think of so many reasons why LGBT journalists and others should come to Montreal — professional development, networking, insights into the social media and the journalism profession, all in a close but culturally unique get-away destination,” said NLGJA Managing Director Michael Tune. “But we wanted to give our members, friends and Twitter followers a novel way to say why the National Convention can't be missed this year.”

Some of the reasons offered up by NLGJA for joining the convention include: • I need to learn about employment opportunities in journalism and media. • Montreal features spectacular dining, art, architecture, nightlife and outdoor recreation. • I need fresh ideas. • Montreal in September, beautiful. • I need to break into new media. • It's closer than I thought: Flights are only an hour and 40 minutes from D.C., two hours from Chicago , and five hours from L.A. • And I want to practice my French and still be able to get by in English.

“In the face of a changing media landscape, many of our members have expressed an interest in and have embraced social media,” Tune added. “The convention will include many sessions on new and social media developments within journalism. This contest is a fun way to preview those sessions, as well as the convention overall.”

NLGJA's National Convention & LGBT Media Summit provides media professionals the opportunity to participate in high-level training with some of the industry's best and brightest, as well as a forum to make the contacts and connections that will strengthen them in their field.
For more information and to register, visit the convention Web site. Register by Aug. 6 to stay at the headquarters hotel, the Hyatt Regency Montreal.
About the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association
NLGJA is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues. NLGJA opposes all forms of workplace bias and provides professional development to its members. For more information, visit the NLGJA Web site .