Register Today for MDDC Annual Convention

Register Today for MDDC Annual Convention; Deadline is Aug. 29

Convention details are finalized and the lineup is full with speakers like Len Kubas, Albert Boscov, Lucy Dalglish, Gordon Borrell, David Handschuh and others set to address issues such as improving profitability, retail advertising, access to information, newspapers and the Internet and covering the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Aug. 29 is the deadline to register for the MDDC Annual Convention, Sept. 5- 7 at the Princess Royale Hotel in Ocean City, MD. Registration information is available on the Web at www.mddcpress.com or call the MDDC office at (410) 721-4000.

Advertising will be the focus for Friday afternoon. You won’t want to miss the luncheon presentation by Boscov, chairman of Boscov’s department stores and one of newspapers’ largest regional advertisers.

He will be followed by a session with Kubas on innovative newspaper marketing and advertising. Kubas, president of Kubas Consultants, will focus on new approaches to strengthening a newspaper’s franchise while delivering more contribution and profits. Participants will leave with a number of ideas and practices they can implement immediately upon returning to the office.

Friday morning will start off with a breakfast presentation from David Handschuh, a photographer for the New York Daily News, who captured first-hand images of the attacks on the World Trade Center. See the photos he took and hear his remarkable story of the events.

Access issues in the wake of Sept. 11 will be the focus of the popular Legal Roundtable on Friday morning. Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, will discuss the Homeland Security Report and other access issues. There will also be time for audience questions with Dalglish and media attorneys Alice Lucan, Henry Abrams and Richard Elliott.

The morning will conclude with a panel discussion on Newspapers and the Internet. Joining Gordon Borrell of Borrell Associates in a discussion of whether newspapers should continue to give away content on the Internet will be Deborah Cornely, associate publisher of The Dundalk Eagle, and James Brown, general manager of The Capital. Robin Saul, publisher of the Carroll County Times, will moderate the session.

There will be plenty of time for fun at the convention with an oceanfront Caribbean buffet on Thursday night. Friday evening will include the Past Presidents Reception, sponsored by Papiers Stadacona, and convention dinner, plus entertainment by Jack Foraker featuring puppets, magic and audience participation.

There will be two drawings on Friday at the convention dinner. Those in attendance could win a $100 Ocean City gift basket sponsored by American Profile Magazine or a $100 Nordstrom Gift Certificate.

The hospitality suites on Thursday and Friday are sponsored this year by Kruger Pulp and Paper Sales.

The convention will conclude with the annual MDDC golf tournament at The Bay Club, East Course, in nearby Berlin.