Master calendar
2026
Sept. 29, 2026
Behind the byline: Election coverage
Oct. 2, 2026
Early bird registration ends, Fall JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention
Oct. 23, 2026
Online registration deadline, Fall JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention
Oct. 27, 2026
Behind the byline: Interviewing
Oct. 30, 2026
DEADLINE: Orlando Best of Show Individual Recognition entries
Nov. 10, 2026
Behind the byline: Open records requests with SPLC
Nov. 20, 2026
DEADLINE: Orlando Best of Show Staff Recognition entries, on site
Nov. 19-22, 2026
JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, Orlando
Nov. 24, 2026
DEADLINE: Literary Arts Magazine, Website and Yearbook Pacemaker submissions
Dec. 9, 2026
Behind the byline: Recruitment
2027
Jan. 8, 2027
DEADLINE: Innovation Pacemaker entries
Jan. 19, 2027
Behind the byline: Finding ideas and inspiration
Feb. 12, 2027
DEADLINE: Leadership Award in Student Journalism due
Feb. 23, 2027
Behind the byline: SPLC
March 1, 2027
DEADLINE: Leadership Award in Student Journalism Scholarship due
March 23, 2027
Behind the byline: Photo basics
March 24, 2027
DEADLINE: Los Angeles Best of Show Individual Recognition entries
April 15-17, 2027
JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention, Los Angeles
April 16, 2027
DEADLINE: Los Angeles Best of Show Staff Recognition entries
April 27, 2027
Behind the byline: Preparing leaders for next year
May 24, 2026
DEADLINE: Individual Award payments
June 1, 2027
DEADLINE: Individual Awards, high school
June 4, 2027
DEADLINE: Broadcast, Print News/Specialty Magazine Pacemaker entries
June 14, 2027
DEADLINE: Individual Awards, junior high/middle school
June 27-July 1, 2027
Gloria Shields NSPA Media Workshop
Nov. 18-21, 2027
JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, Boston
2028
April 6-8, 2028
JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention, San Francisco
Nov. 16-19, 2028
JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, Washington, D.C.
2029
TBD
JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention
Nov. 8-11, 2029
JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, Nashville
2030
TBD
JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention
Nov. 21-24, 2030
JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, Orlando
High School Journalism Convention
Nov 19-22, 2026
Orlando World Center Marriott
JEA/NSPA Spring National
High School Journalism Convention
April 15-17, 2026
Los Angeles
Dallas
June 27-July 1, 2026
NSPA contests
NSPA contests at a glance
NSPA membership portal
to submit Pacemaker entries
NSPA Best of Show
Posted to the convention sites
when contest is announced —
fall.journalismconvention.org
spring.journalismconvention.org