PNA begins 100th-anniversary celebration with statewide kickoff events

PNA is excited to celebrate 100 years of supporting the news media industry, the importance of the First Amendment, and the role of a free press.”

PNA President and CEO William Cotter

The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association will host three kickoff events to commemorate its 100^th anniversary starting this month.

The first reception is Thursday, Sept. 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. This event will be held in conjunction with Newsapalooza, a celebration in support of local journalism sponsored by the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University.

A second event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Hall Rotunda on the campus of Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia.

The third reception will take place Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg.

The three launch events are a precursor to the official 100^th Anniversary Gala that will be held Thursday, Nov. 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Hershey Country Club in Hershey.

News industry leaders, government officials and PNA executives will be in attendance at each event to celebrate past achievements for the furtherance of a free, independent press and discuss what the future holds for journalism in the next century.

An array of speakers is scheduled for each event, including, but not limited to, the following. 

Pittsburgh:

• William Cotter, president and CEO, Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association
• Jennifer Bertetto, chairwoman, PNA board of directors and president and CEO, Trib Total Media
• Andrew Conte, director, Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University

• Bill Southern, director of finance, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
• Rod Doss, publisher of the New Pittsburgh Courier
• Sara Innamorato, Allegheny County executive

Philadelphia:

• William Cotter, president and CEO, Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association
• Michael Days, president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists
• Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (invited)
• Carla Robinson, editor, Chestnut Hill Local
• John Derr, director of sales & strategic partnerships, Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association/MANSI Media

Harrisburg:

• William Cotter, president and CEO, Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association
• John Derr, director, MANSI media sales and PNA strategic partnerships
• Burke Noel, president, PA Media Group
• Barbara Hough Huesken, director, legislative affairs, Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association 

• Kerry Miscavage, publisher, Times Leader Media Group

PNA President and CEO William Cotter expressed enthusiasm and optimism ahead of the celebrations. “PNA is excited to celebrate 100 years of supporting the news media industry, the importance of the First Amendment, and the role of a free press,” Cotter said. “Our mission is to help advance the business interests of our 200 members across the commonwealth, and we are happy to celebrate our regional 100th anniversary launch events in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg with them. We look forward to the future with new initiatives that will lead us into our next centennial.”

The events are free to attend. Pre-registration is required and accessible on the PNA website at PNA 100th Anniversary — kickoff events — Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (panewsmedia.org).

About PNA:

PNA, founded in 1925, is the nonprofit trade association for print and digital news media in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Its mission is to advance the business interests of

Pennsylvania news media organizations and to promote a free and independent press. Membership includes newspapers and media-related companies, as well as college newspapers and online publications.

About PNA Foundation: 

The PNA Foundation is an independent, nonprofit corporation organized as a public foundation. Its mission is to provide training and resources to PNA members, to develop the next generation of readers and journalists, and to educate the public on the importance of the First Amendment and the role of a free press.