AAJA returns to N.Y. for first time in more than a decade

Kansas City Star president and publisher Mi-Ai Parrish couldn’t be more excited about this year’s AAJA convention, the first one New York has hosted since 2000. As he explained, “What’s not to like about New York?”

With a convenient location at the Hilton Midtown, and off-site locations at two renowned journalism schools, New York University and Columbia University, attendees are finding it hard to stand still.

Including late registrants, there are more than 1,000 participants, an increase from previous years, according to AAJA executive director Kathy Chow.

Brandon Sugiyama | VOICES

With workshops covering social entrepreneurship, mobile skills, freelance journalism and more, short talks called “idea capsules” focused on innovative ideas in the industry — such as the New York Times’ Pulitzer Prize-winning story, “Snow Fall” — and Saturday’s always popular Karaoke Night, convention-goers are certain to stay busy.

        This year’s event has drawn people from across the country and around the globe, and nearly all of AAJA’s 21 chapters. While New Yorkers make up a significant percentage of the crowd, many others spent more than half a day traveling to attend. National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita, for example, took a 16-hour flight from Hong Kong.

Participants offered many reasons for making the trek. For Parrish, it’s about socializing and education. “I always like seeing old friends and meeting new faces,” she said.

Isabel Ng, a local high school student and first-time convention-goer, said she came with her dad, Wai, to attend several workshops and to watch some of her friends performing with the arts group Kollaboration New York during Wednesday’s opening reception.

“I’m here to support them and the Asian community,” she said.

Meanwhile, Seung Min Kim, president of the Washington, D.C., chapter, is excited to make connections and prepare her chapter for hosting next year’s convention.

“We’re looking to build many more partnerships with the D.C. chapter on the national level,” Kim said.

A tight-knit but constantly busy group, AAJA members sometimes find it difficult to attend the annual convention. But commitments haven’t prevented freelance photographer Corky Lee, of Brooklyn, from attending every year since 1990.

On the other hand, Yamashita said he has attended about six conventions in the past 30 years. His attendance this year is the result of a delightful coincidence. “This is my hometown,” he said,  “and it’s great that I happened to be in town.”

In general, most of the AAJA community is happy for the opportunity to gather once again in a bustling place.

“New York is the media capital, so we’re just excited to be here,” Chow said. “I think people are excited to be here. I think it’s going to be a great convention.”