Spring National High School Journalism Convention • April 16-18, 2026  •  Minneapolis

Dates and rates

Key dates & deadlines

These dates are subject to change. Additional dates and times added as they become available.

Jan. 8, noon CST
Convention registration opens
 
Jan. 30, 11:59 p.m. CST
Session proposals dueJan. 30, 11:59 p.m. CST
First-time convention grant application deadline

Feb. 3, noon CST
Hotel room blocks open to registered attendees

Feb. 16
JEA National Student Media Contests registration opens & prompts available on JEA website (Note: NSMC registration process is separate from main convention registration)

March 11, 11:59 CST
Student scholarship application deadline

March 13
Student scholarships announced

March 15, 5 p.m. CDT
Hotel room blocks close

March 16, 5 p.m. CST
EXTENDED Early bird registration ends (last day for discounted registration)

March 24, 1 p.m. CDT
JEA NSMC online submission and onsite registration deadline

March 27, 5 p.m. CDT
Online convention registration closes, which includes any convention extras

Registration

Online registration will close March 27. If you miss the online registration deadline, you will be able to register on-site, but convention extras will be unavailable.

REGISTER NOW

Registration rates

$135/person
JEA or NSPA member early bird rate (extended through 5 p.m. CST March 16)

$155/person
JEA or NSPA member standard rate (after 5 p.m. CST March 16)

$185/person
Nonmember early bird rate (extended through 5 p.m. CST March 16)

$205/person
Nonmember standard rate (after 5 p.m. CST March 16)

NOTE: If the adviser registering is a JEA member or the program/publication is an NSPA member, the entire group will receive the member rate.

Hotel information

All convention events will take place at the Minneapolis Convention CenterTo take full advantage of the convention, delegates are encouraged to stay at one of the four sanctioned and officially designated convention hotels listed below.

All hotel room blocks will open to registered attendees noon CST Feb. 3 on a first-come, first-available basis. Please plan to register and book early, as rooms often sell out quickly. Neither the hotel nor convention officials can guarantee availability. Convention officials will arrange overflow options as needed.

Please note that all but the Hilton Garden Inn are connected to the convention center through the Minneapolis Skyway. The Hilton Garden Inn is a 5-minute, street-level walk to the convention center. 

Rates below include taxes and fees.

Hilton Minneapolis

$280.12 per night, single/double/triple/quad occupancy

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis

$258.58 per night, single/double occupancy

$282 per night, triple/quad occupancy

Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown Convention Center

$297.24 per night, single/double occupancy

$320.65 per night, triple occupancy

$344.05 per night, quad occupancy

Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Downtown

 $232.88 per night, single/double/triple/quad occupancy

Hotel blocks open to registered attendees on Feb. 3. If you register before that date, you will receive an email with the booking links at noon CST. If you register after Feb. 3, the booking links will be automatically emailed once your registration is complete.

Costs of attending

In addition to the registration fees and hotel costs, attendees planning for the convention will have other costs to consider, depending on your location and what type of experience you are planning for, you might plan for the following costs:

Convention extras

JEA National Student Media Contest entry fee
$20 per student

Break With a Pro attendance
$15 per student

NSPA Best of Show entry fee
$30-$45 per entry

NSPA on-site critique fee
$30 per critique

JEA National Journalism Quiz Bowl team entry fee
$50 per team

Adobe certification testing fee
TBD, more information coming soon

Convention merchandise
Varies by convention, but generally around $20-30

Preconvention workshop fee
$50 (half-day) or $70 (full-day) per attendee

Media tour fee
Between $25 to $100 per student, depending on the tour

Adviser recognition luncheon ticket
$55 per adviser

Getting to and
around Minneapolis

Airfare
$400 national average

Meal per diem
$55 per day average (could be less or more depending on the individual)

Airport transportation
Light rail/public bus service, Uber/Lyft/taxi or group shuttle rental

Also consider

  • Entertainment, including public transportation
  • Souvenirs
  • Gratuities for drivers/housekeeping

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, nor will all of these items apply to every attendee.