Spring National High School Journalism Convention • April 15-17, 2027 • Los Angeles
Dates and rates
Key dates & deadlines
These dates are subject to change. Additional dates and times added as they become available.
Convention registration opens at noon CST
Jan. 21
JEA National Student Media Contests registration opens & prompts available on JEA website (Note: NSMC registration process is separate from main convention registration)
Jan. 28
Hotel room block opens to Exhibitors/Sponsors at noon CST
Jan. 29
First-time convention grant application deadline at 11:59 p.m. CST
Jan. 31
Session proposals due by 11:59 p.m. CST
Feb. 11
Hotel room blocks open at noon CST
Feb. 15
JEA Outreach Academy application deadline at 11:59 p.m. CST
Feb. 22
Student scholarship application deadline at 11:59 p.m. CST
Feb. 24
Student scholarships announced
Feb. 26
Early bird registration ends at 5 p.m. CST (last day for discounted & VIP registration)
March 16
JEA NSMC online submission and onsite registration deadline
March 25
Online convention registration closes at 5 p.m. CDT, which includes any convention extras
April 15-17
Convention
Registration
Online registration will open Jan. 21 and close March 25. If you miss the online registration deadline, you will be able to register on-site, but convention extras will be unavailable.
Please note the closing date for National Student Media Contest registration, which differs from primary convention registration and happens separately on JEA’s website.
Registration rates
$145
JEA or NSPA member early bird rate (before 5 p.m. Feb. 26)
$165
JEA or NSPA member standard rate (after 5 p.m. Feb. 26)
$195
Nonmember early bird rate (before 5 p.m. Feb. 26)
$215
Nonmember standard rate (after 5 p.m. Feb. 26)
Hotel information & rates
To take full advantage of the convention, delegates are encouraged to stay at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, the sanctioned and officially designated JEA/NSPA convention hotel. Hotel reservations within the event room block are first come, first available. Neither the hotel nor convention officials can guarantee availability.
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
404 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Check-in time: 3:00 p.m.
Check-out time: 12:00 p.m.
$289.57 per room, per night, single/double/triple/quad occupancy including taxes and fees
When you register for the convention, you’ll receive an email link for hotel registration once the hotel block is open on Feb. 11.
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
$25 per student
Break With a Pro attendance
$20 per student
NSPA Best of Show entry fee
$30 per entry
NSPA on-site media critique fee
$30 per critique for NSPA members, $45 for non-members
JEA National Journalism Quiz Bowl entry fee
$55 per team of four
Media tours fee
$25 to $75 per student, depending on the tour
Adobe certification testing fee
$80 per exam, $50 per practice test (optional), $60 per laptop rental (optional and limited, bring-your-own-device preferred)
Convention apparel and merchandise
Varies by convention, generally $30 or less
Preconvention workshop fee
$60 (half-day) or $80 (full-day) per attendee
Adviser recognition luncheon ticket
$60 per adviser
Getting to and around Los Angeles
Airfare
$370-450 national average
Meal per diem
$60-100 per day average (could be less or more depending on the individual)
Airport transportation
LAX FlyAway Bus + public transit, Uber/Lyft/taxi or group shuttle rental
Also consider
- Entertainment and sightseeing
- Public transportation and Uber/Lyft/taxi rides
- Souvenirs and shopping
- Tips and gratuities for drivers/housekeeping/restaurants
Please remember, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list, nor will all of these items apply to every attendee.