We’re glad you’re going to be joining us at the MIPA Awards and On-Site Contest Conference on Tuesday, April 28, at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and will end at 9 a.m. The conference will be over by 1 p.m. so you’ll have plenty of time to get back to school for after-school activities. This is the day we celebrate scholastic journalism in Michigan and all you and your students have accomplished this year!
Arrival:
When you arrive, please have your students go into the banquet room where the Opening Session will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Just follow the music. The Banquet Room is the same space we’ve used for several Spring Conferences. Please be patient in your arrival because, as you know, there will be lots of commotion! After dropping students off in the front of the Lansing Center, buses may park at the Lansing Center at 333 E. Michigan Ave. in downtown Lansing in the lot right behind the Lansing Center. Click for directions and parking information.
Schedule:
In the morning session, all attendees will be in the Banquet Room, except for those who are participating in contests. At that time, all individual awards will be presented along with other honors, such as Golden Pen, Student Journalists and All-MIPA.
You’ll also get a chance to see some of the best videos from the individual contest! We’ll break for lunch at 11:00 and then the Spartan awards will be given at the afternoon session from 12:15 to 1:00. Award packets will be given out right before lunch for those who need to leave. If you are staying, PLEASE do not come to the front to ask for your packet. You will get yours right after lunch.
On-Site Contests:
The only people who do not go to the Opening Session will be those who are in the On-Site contests that take place at the conference. Contests running at this time will be yearbook copy/caption; yearbook layout; editorial; news and feature. These contestants should go directly to the contest room to get registered. On-Site contests are coordinated by Terri Martin from Flint Central High School. Because of the shortened time, On-Site contest awards will be announced Friday morning on the Web site at mipa.jrn.msu.edu. Award certificates for the On-Site contests will be sent after the conference.New this year: An on-site contest for video students. See the registration form on the MIPA Web site.
Parking
Please Note:Buses will be charged $10 to park. We’re sorry, but MIPA cannot pay for your parking. Please make sure your bus drivers know this so that they will have cash to pay to park.
Cars may park in the Lansing Center ramp (Please see directions). The cost to park is $5 and you pay it when you enter the lot. Do not park in the North Grand Ramp. That ramp is hard to get to because of construction. Please note MIPA cannot pay for parking.
Registration:
Registration, for advisers only, is between 8–9 a.m. at the registration tables located in the lobby of the Lansing Center. As soon as you register, please have your students go directly into the Banquet Room. Please watch for signs directing you.
Lunch:
Lunch will begin at 11:00 and last until 12:15 p.m. Advisers will be having lunch at the Lansing Center. Watch for signs. A brief business meeting and election of officers will be held at the Advisers Luncheon. Students may eat at fast food restaurants located in the area. A copy of this map will appear in the conference program.
Coffee:
Coffee for advisers only will be available near the Registration Area.
Reminders:
Please bring copies of your newspaper to exchange with other schools. These can be placed in the Registration Area. Also, advisers, please remind your students to treat the Lansing Center and its personnel with respect. Please remind them to carry their belongings with them at all times.
Important:
In recent years, we have received some disturbing reports from downtown merchants that students were being unruly in stores and even at the Capitol Building. If you cannot be sure your students will act decently, please do not bring them to this conference. Such incidents give MIPA, your school and those students a bad reputation.
Refunds will not be made after April 24, 2009. If you have a student who cannot attend, please try to find someone to take his or her place.
Forms
- Registration Form.
- On-Site Rules and Regulations and Registration Forms.
- Restaurants for Students.
- Parking Information. Please park in the areas indicated on this map. Your bus can still drop you off in front of the Lansing Center.
- Directions to Lansing Center
- Download the Information On This Page As A PDF.
Can’t Make It?
Judging Day
Questions? Please call the MIPA office at (517) 353-6761 or e-mail mipa@msu.edu. All materials for this conference are online at mipamsu.org