ALA Conference Media Credential Policy
Those requesting media registration must be currently employed by a publication or news organization. Each organization is limited to no more than five media representatives, except newsletters, which are limited to one. Account representatives, sales executives, book authors, and engineers do not meet the criteria for media registration. You must fall under one of the following media guidelines to receive media registration:
Media Guidelines
Business and Trade Publications/News Wire Services
Reporters and editors from magazines, newspapers, trade publications, and wire services must provide a business card. Contributing editors and reporters must verify they have been retained to cover the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by presenting a letter of assignment.
Television and Radio
Broadcast reporters and producers from news organizations must provide a business card and a letter of assignment.
Freelance Writers
Freelance writers must verify they have been retained to cover the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by presenting a letter of assignment.
Online Publications
Reporters from online publications must provide a business card and a letter of assignment. The Web site must contain editorial content and cover library issues. Personal web pages and blogs will not be accepted.
Newsletters
Newsletter reporters must verify they have been retained to cover the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by presenting a letter of assignment. Newsletter publications will be limited to one media representative.
Advance registration
The deadline for advance registration is one week prior to the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference. After this date, media representatives will need to register on-site at the ALA press room.
On-site registration
All members of the media who have not registered in advance must register at ALA conference press room. The press room will usually open at 8 a.m. on the first day of conference programming, but check the ALA Web site to confirm dates and times. Please review the media qualifications to determine if you qualify for media registration. You must submit all documentation, as specified on this page. No exceptions will be made.
**Please Note: Even if you have qualified for an ALA media badge in the past, you must re-qualify for each subsequent ALA conference.
Media badge holders are entitled free admission to:
- Press conferences and briefings
- Press room
- Exhibit floor
- ALA President’s Program
- Auditorium Speakers Series
- ALA business meetings (Excluding closed meetings)
**Ticketed events are not included. Press attendance at ticketed events - those that require pre-registration and/or a fee to attend, such as receptions or meals - is at the discretion of the sponsor/unit/committee.
Contact Macey Morales, deputy director, ALA Public Awareness Office, 312-280-4393, or mmorales@ala.org to register for media credentials.
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Policy approved by ALA Public Awareness Committee on January 24, 2006