Despite rather gloomy predictions to the contrary, the newspaper industry in Texas is alive and well, as reflected by the vibrant atmosphere and healthy attendance at the Texas Press Association's (TPA) 65th Annual Mid-Winter Conference and Trade Show held at the Hyatt Regency DFW on January 19-21, 2012.

The TPA, founded in 1880, is one of the nation's oldest and largest newspaper trade associations. As of November 2011, the non-profit TPA represents 478 paid-circulation newspapers -- 75 dailies and 403 non-dailies -- with a combined circulation of 2.94 million. The TPA is a trusted source for publishers throughout Texas who need information and guidance on a wide range of issues, and the Mid-Winter Conference and Trade Show brings them all together in support of a shared vision of protecting the public's right to know.

This year's conference began with several TPA committee meetings before a trade show reception and Officers & Past President's Dinner. The much-anticipated trade show kicked off Friday morning, with dozens of companies demonstrating their cutting-edge services to TPA members. The Texas Newspaper Foundation (TNF) conducted a silent auction during the trade show, which raised money to support education and training for community journalists. Immediately after the trade show and silent auction, Bob Rose, Chief Meteorologist for the Lower Colorado River Authority, gave a luncheon speech on The Drought of 2011-2012: Going from Bad to Worse. It would be an understatement to say that Bob's presentation kept the audience's attention, as everyone wanted to know what was in store for the drought-stricken regions of Texas in 2012. Unfortunately, Bob could not promise significant improvement, although the severity of conditions experienced in 2011 are not likely to be repeated any time soon – for which we're thankful!

A general session followed the Friday luncheon and included several interesting addresses. Doug Toney, Chair of the TPA's Legislative Advisory Committee (LAC), provided a legislative update that focused primarily on a hot button topic these days --public notice requirements. Griff Singer, a veteran journalist and journalism instructor, provided some very informative observations on the differences in editing for print stories as opposed to web publishing...

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