Don’t miss the first-ever joint national conference sponsored by SPJ and the Radio Television Digital News Association – Excellence in Journalism 2011, set for Sept. 25-27 at the Sheraton New Orleans.

The conference will feature two Super Sessions, 50 breakout sessions, the Journalism Expo, and the opportunity to meet journalism heavy hitters like NPR Social Media Desk Senior Strategist Andy Carvin, who has provided masterful coverage of the Middle East uprisings through Twitter.

Breakout sessions focus on everything from creating multiplatform stories to mastering social media, from adding interactivity to your online stories to sharpening your video storytelling skills, and from following the money in state elections to overcoming stonewalling to get public records. And you’ll have big fun in the Big Easy at the conference’s Opening Night Reception, the SPJ President’s Installation Banquet, and more.

Early bird registration ends August 31, so save money by signing up now. Conference registration is $145 for student and retired members and $195 for professional members – but rates go up after August 31. The room rate at the Sheraton is a great deal at $129 for those who book by Sept. 4.

For all the latest information about the national conference, visit http://www.excellenceinjournalism.org.