This one came directly from members. In our research, 70% of member stations identified travel budget as their primary barrier to professional development. Many stations have frozen travel budgets entirely.

A single annual event, no matter how good, was only reachable for a fraction of the people who needed it. Near + Now is built around the idea that the learning should come to you, not the other way around: one day, close to home, affordable at $150, with a focused topic that’s relevant right now.

They came from member research, specifically from our Learning Needs Assessment and member survey data. We looked at what public media journalists said they needed most, where the field is changing fastest, and what kinds of professional development were hardest to find elsewhere.

Each event covers a different area so that together, the four events map to the actual shape of work in a modern public media newsroom: operations, emerging technology, multiplatform strategy, and community-centered journalism.

Topics are also being shaped by content working groups made up of journalists and station staff from across the membership. Interested in helping shape a session? Email conference@pmja.org.

No. Near + Now is not a traditional conference with a main stage, multiple concurrent sessions, and an open proposal process. Each event is one focused day for the full group, built around a single topic. Programming is developed by PMJA’s team and board, together with the Conference Committee and Training and Education Committee, with input from member working groups.

If you have expertise in one of the series topics and want to contribute, the best path is to join a content working group. Email conference@pmja.org to get involved.

We mapped the membership and chose the cities that the most members could reach without flying. More than half of our membership can drive to at least one of these events in under six hours.

Geographic reach was the primary factor, along with the ability to secure quality venues. Three of the four events are hosted on Google campuses through our partnership with Google News Initiative, which made venues in major markets possible at no venue cost.

$150 per event for PMJA members. $199 for non-members. Member stations can also purchase a series pass that covers all four events. See below for details.

No. Each event is designed to stand on its own. Register for whichever events work for your schedule and location.

Yes. Member stations can purchase a series pass for $500, which covers one registration at each of the four events — four tickets in total, one per event, usable by anyone at your station. How you use them is up to you: send a different staff member to each event, send the same person to multiple events, or mix and match. That works out to only $125 per registration.

Yes. Every event has a minimum of five scholarships available. Scholarship recipients also have access to limited travel and lodging assistance for those traveling further to attend. Details on how to apply are coming soon.

A full day of programming, including all sessions, structured peer exchange, action planning, and lunch.

Registrations are transferable to a colleague at no charge. Just email conference@pmja.org with the new attendee’s name and contact information. We’re not able to offer refunds or credits for this event.

No, and this is worth saying clearly. Near + Now is designed for everyone on the team: reporters, producers, hosts, editors, podcasters, digital leads, audience specialists, and every role that’s emerged in the last five years and still doesn’t have a clean title.

The sessions are built around peer exchange, which means your experience and perspective are part of what makes the day valuable for everyone in the room. You don’t need a title or a budget line to belong here.

Yes, at the non-member rate of $199 per event. If you're considering membership, joining first is almost always the better value. Learn more about PMJA membership.

Attendance isn't limited to public media. Journalists, producers, educators, students, and media professionals from any sector are welcome. The lens is public media, but the skills and conversations apply broadly.

Yes. Near + Now is intentionally designed to be accessible, including for people who are new to PMJA. Each event is one focused day, low-pressure, and built around peer conversation. You don’t need background knowledge or prior PMJA involvement to get a lot out of it.

Apply for a scholarship. Scholarships are available at every event, and we encourage anyone facing a financial barrier to apply. Details on how to apply are coming soon.

Near + Now is designed as an in-person experience. The peer exchange and accountability components are central to how the day works. All participants leave with resources. We’re also exploring ways to extend the learning before and after each event, including for those who aren’t able to attend. More details as those develop.

Near + Now is produced by Public Media Journalists Association with support from Google News Initiative and local station partners in each city. Programming is developed by PMJA’s team and board, together with the Conference Committee and Training and Education Committee, with input from member content working groups.

Want to be involved? Email conference@pmja.org.

A few things set it apart. It’s one focused day, not a multi-day conference requiring significant time and travel. Every event is organized around a single topic so the room is full of people working on the same problems you are.

The day is also structured for peer exchange and action planning, not just panels and presentations. You come in with a challenge; you leave with people who understand it and a plan for what to do next.