It’ll be monumental.
October 15-18, 2025
Washington DC
The nation’s largest media convention for pros and college students is sponsored by the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association, and Society of Professional Journalists.
MediaFest returns
In 2022 – the last time MediaFest was in DC – nearly 1,500 pros and students attended more than 200 sessions and packed the ballroom to see Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. See what’s happening this year.
College media
MediaFest is the nation’s largest gathering of media students and their advisers – covering everything from newspapers to literary magazines, business to technology, and student leadership to adviser certification.
Professional media
Get hands-on training from the Google News Initiative and Trusting News Project. Learn all about freelancing in Freelance Central, a room dedicated to the craft. And, of course, network with hundreds of your peers.
$150
Students and advisers who are members of ACP, CMA, or SPJ.
$180
Students and advisers NOT members of ACP, CMA, or SPJ.
$260
Professionals who are SPJ members.
$460
Professionals who are NOT SPJ members.
After Sept. 15, the member price increases by $50 and nonmember by $75.
Sponsored by
Grand Hyatt Washington
As in 2022, MediaFest will be hosted at the Grand Hyatt Washington.
The newly renovated hotel is a short walk to the National Mall, White House, Washington Monument, Smithsonian Museums, and National Museum of African American History & Culture.
All attendees can reserve discounted rooms at $269 a night, which is $200 off the regular rate. The total per night is $335 – which includes taxes and all those annoying fees.
If you’re staying in DC after Saturday, you might not be able to reserve a discounted room. MediaFest’s discount runs through Saturday, but the number of rooms is small because the hotel has another event. So inputting dates that include the Saturday night may return a “no availability” message.
Workshops & Sessions
Sessions on certain topics are presented in themed rooms, so you always know where to find them. Click the icons below to see those sessions.
Full schedule so far. Still being updated.
Workshop
Wednesday
Free deep dives into half a dozen topics.
Freelance
Central
Hosted by SPJ’s Freelance Community.
Media Law
Central
Four legal organizations join forces.
Adviser
Central
Earn a certificate at MediaFest.
Faith
Central
For journalists of faith.
RTDNA
Day
Broadcast lessons for everyone.
SPJ
Hall
A suite of rooms hosted by SPJ.
ACP Best
of Show
ACP’s onsite awards program.
CMA Pinnacle
Awards
CMA’s annual awards program.
The
Keynotes
At 11 a.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The
Hub
15-minute lessons in the Exhibit Hall.
Accessibility: MediaFest reserves seats for the visually and hearing impaired. All meeting rooms are wheelchair-accessible. If you need any assistance, a MediaFest staffer is available for the asking. Contact us or talk to us at the registration desk onsite.
Want to be a MediaFest sponsor ? Learn how.
mediafest25.com 