2026 Tom Bigler Journalism & Media Conference

Registration Deadline: April 1st

Schedule

8:30 to 9:00 a.m. - Registration in Karambelas Media and Communication Center

9:00 to 9:15 a.m. - Conference Welcome

9:25 to 10:00 a.m. - Session I

10:10 to 10:45 a.m. - Session II

11:00 to 11:40 a.m. - Keynote Speaker: Alan K. Stout, Executive Director, Visit Luzerne County.*

11:40 a.m. to noon - Awards

12:15 to 1:45 p.m. - Split sessions. Conference attendees will be split in half with half going to lunch and half participating in a hands-on panel. Groups will switch after 40 minutes.

1:45 p.m. - Departure from the Karambelas Media and Communication Center.

*Stout has had a long and successful career in the areas of journalism and media. He began working for the Times Leader in 1993 in areas including, features writer, music columnist and Newspapers in Education manager. He was voted Northeastern Pennsylvania’s “Favorite Newspaper Columnist” seven times and won a Keystone Press Award for Excellence in Journalism. Stout also hosts “Music on the Menu” with Alan K. Stout. 

From 2001 to 2020, Stout served as the Community & Resource Development Coordinator, Director of Marketing & Communications for Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Bridge/Catholic Social Services of The Diocese of Scranton. He served as executive producer, writer and narrator of "Agnes," a critically acclaimed documentary film that chronicles the Ages Flood of 1972 and its impact on the Wyoming Valley. The film premiered at a sold-out show at F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre.

In October 2025, Stout was inducted into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Competition Details:

Submission deadline for the competition is April 3 at 11:59 p.m.
Here is a link to the submission form and instructions: 2026 Tom Bigler Journalism & Media Conference Competition