APTRA CONVENTION 2002
REFLECTIONS!

It's the Happiest Place on Earth. At least that's what they call it - Disneyland -- now transformed into the Disney's Anaheim Resort. If you haven't been there since all of the changes. The place doesn't look the same at all. Oh sure, there's the Matterhorn, The Magic Kingdom --- all that stuff we grew up too but, the place has been transformed into a mini Orlando with new roads, access areas, a new Downtown Disney and the equally new California Adventure Theme Park.

It's in this setting that APTRA's 55th Annual convention takes place. From beginning to end it's a gathering with "moments!" Here are reflections from two convention goers:

2001 APTRA Academy Grad Mary-Rose Abraham says: "The panels on Saturday were especially helpful and interesting, particularly the one with CNN and FOX reporters who had just returned from covering the war. It was nice to be at a convention that didn't feel overwhelming, but was small enough to meet people easily."

Says Jon Beaupré, now a reporter with KCET in Los Angeles:"This was my eighth annual APTRA convention. While the recognition granted by the awards banquet, the seminars and training sessions serve a vital role in training journalists, the greatest value is clearly the chance to chat with colleagues and friends in the hallways and lunch rooms. It was wonderful to get to chat with Steve Cohen, Sabrina Hughes, Brian Bland, and of course Rachel Ambrose, our patron saint! I got to share a ‘hey there’ with Wayne Ludkey, and Andy Lippman, and Brett Burkhart. Oh yeah, it was great seeing Hal too!"

Actually, there were two Hal's around the convention. The guy with that name so familiar around the Disney Resort -- Eisner :) The one who stole the show, though, was Hal Fishman. At the Awards Banquet not only did he win Anchor of the Year honors, Hal Fishman was also the recipient of the APTRA's first Lifetime Achievement Award. His words had everyone's attention as he spoke about the attack currently waged by some against the Media and talking about that all so important term in this business "team work."

From beginning to end the convention, organized by then APTRA President Gary Daigneault and his wife Cindy, was memorable for all in attendance. The awards banquet, flawlessly orchestrated by another APTRA Past President, Lance Orozco and Mark Drew (who created the evenings video magic on the big screen was, itself, an award winner!

APTRA
The Winners
The AP Wire Story


This is the AP wire story on the APTRA Convention Award Banquet Saturday night March 2nd. It ran on both the print and broadcast wires at 8pm.

ANAHEIM-- KTVU-TV, Oakland, was named "Station of the Year" Saturday night by the Associated Press Television-Radio Association of California and Nevada. Channel 2 was recognized for all-around daily news cooperation with the AP and consistency in sharing information. Andrew Finlayson is news director. This is the 30th year the prestigious award has been presented. The award is named for Mark Twain because of Twain's 1906 quote that "There are only two forces that carry light to all corners of the globe: the sun in the heavens and The Associated Press down here." The "KTLA (Los Angeles) Morning News" was named the "best 60 minutes newscast," and KXTV (Sacramento's) "News 10 at 6" was named the "best 30 minute newscast" during APTRA's 50th awards dinner here.

More than 90 awards were handed out to honor the best in broadcast in California and Nevada.

KGO Radio, San Francisco, won the award for "best newscast over 15 minutes," while KQED, San Francisco, took home the award for "best radio newscast under 15 minutes."

In the smaller market categories, KGET, Bakersfield, captured the award for "best 60 minute television newscast," while KSBY, San Luis Obispo, garnered top honors for "best 30 minute newscast."

In small market radio, public radio station KPFK, Los Angeles, won the award for "best newscast over 15 minutes," while the award for "best newscast under 15 minutes" went to KUZZ, Bakersfield. In a special ceremony at the Disneyland Resort, veteran Los Angeles television anchorman Hal Fishman was named the first recipient of an "APTRA Lifetime Achievement Award."
On the Web: complete results at www.aptra.org

THE NEW APTRA
The reinvention of a 55 year old organization

For as long as anyone can remember APTRA has served the needs of Broadcast Journalists with seminars and workshops. Now, it's preparing to go to the next level!

For those of you not familiar with APTRA, it stands for Associated Press Television and Radio Association and IF YOU WORK IN A NEWSROOM THAT IS A PART OF AP --- YOU ARE A MEMBER!!!! It's amazing how many people simply don't realize that. That means there are hundreds of APTRA members who don't know they're APTRA members of an organization that had it's first state meeting back in 1947.

At APTRA's recent convention a new administration and spirit started moving to change all of that. A new board led by APTRA President Bret Burkhart and Hal Eisner as Vice President decided to expand the organization's outreach. The thought? By, first making members aware they are, in fact, members perhaps more people would want to participate in our activities. Since many think APTRA only caters to aspiring broadcasters, it was widely felt that we should offer more programs of interest to folks who have been in the business for a while. More speaker programs -- perhaps some social events! First, though, is making all of our members aware they are part of the organization.

In the next year, membership cards will be distributed to all of the AP's California & Nevada Radio and TV stations. They won't get you any discounts at the movies or on rental cars but, hopefully, they will make you feel connected. On the back of the cards will be that all-important California Penal Code 409.5 -- a good reason to keep the card on your ID chain or in your wallet.

Once you receive your card -- benefits will be outlined on APTRA.org. The best thing about it all ---- IT'S FREE!!! You pay for activities but, not for membership!!!

The goal is to get more of you involved in the organization's activities, the California-Nevada News Report and give APTRA a new sense of vitality. You see, just the sheer number of folks in AP member newsrooms in California and Nevada, a few thousand, makes this the largest broadcast journalist organization in the West. Now, imagine if that large number of those folks were actively involved. That's the goal!

Oh, one other thing: You don't have to wait for your membership card to feel vested in APTRA. If you work in a Radio or Television Newsroom that is a part of AP -- YOU ARE A MEMBER!!!

APTRA
NEW STUDENTS MEMBERSHIPS

During the recent convention two Northern California college students asked how they could become members. Up to that point they really couldn't. Membership was really for folks who work in AP member newsrooms. But, how do you turn away the very people you hope to help through seminars and such programs as APTRA Academy? So during the Board's convention ending meeting, it was decided to create a new Student Membership, and like all APTRA memberships, make it FREE!

Now, those two Northern California college students have offered to help in an outreach program to make other college broadcast journalism students aware of APTRA's seminars & workshops, APTRA Academy for aspiring broadcasters and encourage other students to join in on our annual convention activities. To them we say THANKS!

If you're a college student and want to join, you can sign up at
www.aptra.org. Just fill out some information and help us grow!

APTRA
THE NEW BOARD

Here's the official list of the New APTRA Board of Directors. Some were
elected last year -- others at the convention in Anaheim.

APTRA Board of Directors
President
BRET BURKHART, KGO Radio, San Francisco

Vice President
Hal Eisner, KCOP-TV, Los Angeles

Past President
GARY DAIGNEAULT, KCDZ, Joshua Tree

Secretary-Treasurer
RACHEL AMBROSE, AP, Los Angeles

Directors

BRIAN BAHOUTH, KUNR, Reno *
SABRINA HUGHES, KNTV, San Jose *
DANIELA LOPEZ, KERO-TV, Bakersfield *
CY MUSIKER, KQED Radio, San Francisco *
FRANK STOLTZE, KPCC, Pasadena *
ROB ARTIGO, KFBK, Sacramento +
DEBORAH CLAYTON, KVBC, Las Vegas +
LLOYD LACUESTA, KTVU, Oakland +
MICHAEL MARCOTTE, KPBS, San Diego +
TROY MCGUIRE, KTVN, Reno +
JOHN PALMINTERI, KEYT-TV, Santa Barbara +
Term expires Spring, 2003 * Term expires Spring, 2004 +

APTRA ACADEMY 2002
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

When the 2002 APTRA Convention opened March 1st, so did registration for APTRA Academy. This will be the Academy's third annual 2 day hands-on workshop at Cottontail Ranch in Malibu. It's designed to help aspiring TV broadcasters, those who want to make the transition from Radio to TV or those who just want the opportunity to spend twos days learning the ropes from real pros! This year we'll have THREE Academy programs running simultaneously! We're adding a new RADIO NEWS ACADEMY to our already established REPORTING and ANCHOR programs.

This year the Anchor Academy will take place at Pepperdine University's new state-of-the-art television studio. The Reporting & Radio Academy programs will effort a terrific mock news story -- something we've done very
successfully the last two years.

Students who join spend two days working with real television reporters, anchors, photographers and editors all voluntarily giving of their time and energy in what, at the end of the weekend, clearly feels like the ultimate in mentoring. APTRA Academy - learning how to anchor or report a story with the help of real professionals and, on top of all of that, you'll walk away
Sunday with a tape in your hands of your work. The price for all three programs is the same-- $300. Applicants can put $150 down now and finish payment by the last business day of August at 5pm. That is also the last moment refunds will be permitted. Once we reach 10 students in the Anchor Academy, 24 in the Reporting Academy and 10 in the Radio News Academy we'll have reached our limit and will begin a waiting list.

If you want to sign up check out the APTRA Academy pages on this site. Then, go to www.aptra.org for applications and where to send your payment.

GET READY FOR...
THE NEW APTRA ACADEMY JUNIOR

Coming to APTRA's 56th Annual Convention, April 4th - 6th, 2003, at the Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf -- APTRA ACADEMY JUNIOR! If APTRA Academy is a chance to spend two days rubbing elbows with the pros, learning the ropes and making a tape, APTRA Academy JUNIOR is the next best thing! It's a short version but, the same deal taking place the Friday of convention weekend. We'll simulate a story at the Hyatt and students will have to turn it around for a fast action liveshot! We'll have more on APTRA Academy JUNIOR as we get closer to next year's convention.