ALA Conference Media Registration Guidelines

Those requesting media registration must be currently employed by a news publication or organization and provide a letter of assignment on company letterhead. Each organization is limited to no more than five media representatives, except newsletters, which are limited to one. Account representatives, sales executives, book authors, and engineers do not meet the criteria for media registration. You must fall under one of the following media guidelines to receive media registration:

Media Guidelines

  • Business and Trade Publications/News Wire Services
    Reporters and editors from magazines, newspapers, trade publications, and wire services must provide a business card. Contributing editors and reporters must verify they have been retained to cover the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by presenting a letter of assignment.
  • Television and Radio
    Broadcast reporters and producers from news organizations must provide a business card and a letter of assignment.
  • Freelance Writers
    Freelance writers must verify they have been retained to cover the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by presenting a letter of assignment.
  • Online Publications
    Reporters from online publications must provide a business card and a letter of assignment. The Web site must contain editorial content and cover library issues. Personal web pages and blogs will not be accepted.
  • Newsletters
    Newsletter reporters must verify they have been retained to cover the ALA Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by presenting a letter of assignment. Newsletter publications will be limited to one media representative.

Media badge holders are entitled free admission to:

  • Press conferences and briefings
  • Press room
  • Exhibit floor
  • Speakers
  • ALA business meetings (Excluding closed meetings)

​**Ticketed events are not included. Press attendance at ticketed events — those that require pre-registration and/or a fee to attend, such as receptions or meals — is at the discretion of the sponsor/unit/committee.

Advance registration

Press members interested in registering for the 2024 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, June 27 - July 2, 2024, should fill out a press registration form. **Please Note: Even if you have qualified for an ALA media badge in the past, you must re-qualify for each subsequent ALA conference.

On-site registration

All members of the media who have not registered in advance must register at the Press Registration Desk in the registration area at the San Diego Convention Center. Please review the media qualifications to determine if you qualify for media registration. You must submit all documentation, as specified on this page. No exceptions will be made.

More information for members of the media is available in the ALA Annual Conference Press Kit. Questions? Contact the ALA Communications and Marketing Office at cmomedia@ala.org.

Policy approved by ALA Public Awareness Committee on January 24, 2006