JAWS’ annual Conference and Mentoring Program (CAMP) will be held Oct. 2-4, 2026 at the Hyatt Centric Delfina in Santa Monica, CA.
Registration is now open!
Hyatt Centric Delfina
Hyatt Centric Delfina
530 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Stay at the CAMP meeting venue and use the reservation link below for the discounted booking rate.
DISCOUNTED ROOM BLOCK CLOSES SEPT. 10
Conference Speakers & Programming
FRIDAY, OCT. 2
12 p.m. Registration begins (3rd floor, Penthouse Level, lobby area, all sessions will be held in 3rd floor ballroom)
1 P.M. Intro session - Get to know your fellow CAMPers and learn more about upcoming JAWS programming
2 p.m. Workshop - Delve into Data with Sandra Fish
3 p.m. The Fran Lewine Interview with Kim Godwin - Interviewed by Callie Crossley and Edith Lederer
5-7 p.m. Reception at Ms. Magazine Beverly Hills Offices
SATURDAY, OCT. 3
7 a.m. Yoga on the Penthouse Level with Barbara Selvin
10:15 a.m. Health Journalism Fellowship Showcase presented by the Commonwealth Fund
11:30 a.m. Lunch service line begins
12 p.m. America @ 250: A Journalism Reckoning in Conversation with Karen Attiah and Laura Rodriguez Presa - Moderated by Maudlyne Ihejirika - presented by Field Foundation
1:15 p.m. The Creator Journalism Movement with Elizabeth Chou and Alissa Walker - Moderated by Barbara Selvin
2:30 p.m. Workshop: What’s Next? Rewriting the Career Playbook with Aundrea Cline Thomas
3:45 p.m. Books & Browse Authors Panel
7 p.m. First-Time Attendees Dinner (pay your own) - Meet at Fritto Misto: 620 Santa Monica Blvd.
SUNDAY, OCT. 4
9 a.m. JAWS Membership Meeting (open to current members)
11:30 a.m. Lunch service line begins
1 p.m. CAMP Closing
America @ 250: A Journalism Reckoning
Presented by the Field Foundation of Illinois, “America @ 250: A Journalism Reckoning” brings national and Chicago voices together for a conversation about press freedom at JAWS CAMP on Saturday, Oct. 3. Join us for an in-depth conversation with Karen Attiah, the award-winning journalist who recently made headlines for reclaiming her position at the Washington Post, as well as Laura Rodriguez Presa, Pulitzer Prize winner and senior journalist for the Chicago Tribune who covered Operation Midway Blitz immigration raids in Chicago. The journalists will be interviewed by Maudlyne Ihejirika, Director of Journalism & Storytelling at Field Foundation and retired Chicago Sun-Times columnist/reporter.
The Fran Lewine Interview with Kim Godwin
Join us for the Fran Lewine Memorial Interview at CAMP on Friday, Oct. 2 at 3 p.m. PT. Award-winning journalists Callie Crossley and Edith M. Lederer will interview broadcast news executive and Emmy-award winning news producer Kim Godwin, whose 40-year career includes executive leadership roles with ABC, CBS and NBC. She was most recently the president of ABC News, the first African American to lead a national broadcast news network in history, and the first woman and first person of color to hold the position in the network’s 80-year history.
Keynote: An Interview with Monika Bauerlein
Join us Sunday, Oct. 3 for a conversation with Monika Bauerlein, CEO of the Center for Investigative Reporting, a multiplatform nonprofit newsroom that reaches 10 million+ each month via Mother Jones magazine and digital channels, the Reveal radio show and podcast, and multiple social and video channels. The interview will be conducted by JAWS President and automotive editor for MediaPost’s Marketing Daily, Tanya Gazdik, as well as JAWS board member Julia Métraux, Mother Jones' first disability reporter.
Books & Browse Authors Panel & Book-Signing Reception
Seven nonfiction authors have been selected to represent JAWS during the Books & Browse Authors Panel & Book-Signing at CAMP. The Books & Browse panel is scheduled for late afternoon on Saturday, October 3 with a poolside reception and book-signing to follow. Books will be available to purchase at the reception. More details to be announced.
Friday Reception at Ms. Magazine Offices
Join us for an evening CAMP welcome reception on Friday, Oct. 2 from 5-7 p.m. PT at the Beverly Hills Ms. Magazine Offices in Beverly Hills, California (433 S. Beverly Drive, map below). Light refreshments will be served for conference attendees and speakers as we gather for an evening of networking and fun to celebrate the first day of CAMP. The evening will begin with remarks from Kathy Spillar, the executive director of Feminist Majority Foundation and executive editor of Ms., where she oversees editorial content and the Ms. in the Classroom program.
Panel: The Creator Journalism Movement
Join us for The Creator Journalism Movement panel at CAMP on Saturday, Oct. 3. What are creator journalists? They are independent reporters and producers who are building sustainable, audience-driven media ventures outside traditional institutions. We'll hear from two veteran LA reporters who've gone independent, Alissa Walker of Torched.LA and Liz Chou of The LA Reporter. Barbara Selvin will moderate.
Workshop: What's NEXT? Rewriting the Career Playbook
In this interactive session, award-winning journalist and entrepreneur Aundrea Cline-Thomas challenges experienced journalists to rethink what career security looks like in today's media landscape. Bring your notebook or laptop as we explore the strategic moves that lead to greater career resilience, stronger professional leverage, and the confidence to navigate change with intention instead of uncertainty. You'll leave with a practical framework to help you stop reacting to what's NEXT and start positioning yourself for it.
Workshop: Delve Into Data
Join us Friday, Oct. 2 at CAMP to learn about data sources and especially tools to analyze the data once you have it. Semi-retired data journalist Sandra Fish will also address crazy caveats, AI and try to answer any specific questions you have about data on your beat. (Feel free to ping her with those in advance if you want!)
FAQs
What are the early bird registration rates? (Ended July 15 - nonrefundable)
Non-members: $550
Members: $400
Students: $175
What are the regular CAMP registration rates? (July 16-October 1)
Non-members: $625
Members: $499
Students: $250
Where is Conference and Mentoring Program (CAMP) 2026? CAMP 2026 will be held October 2-4 at The Hyatt Centric Delfina, located at 530 Pico Blvd in sunny Santa Monica, CA. The hotel is steps from the world-famous Santa Monica pier along with restaurants, shops and entertainment.
The CAMP Site Selection Committee chose Santa Monica based on feedback from members urging a balance between an urban setting allowing easier travel with access to a get-away-from-it-all vibe. The committee also took into account the venue’s capacity, support for conferences, cost and location. We chose this location intentionally for its walkability, safety and convenience, prioritizing an environment where attendees can focus on community, learning and connection without added logistical stress.
What happens at CAMP? This will be JAWS’ 41st CAMP. While the format and size have varied over the years, the goal has not: to bring women* journalists together from different specialties, beats, demographics and geographies to share with, learn from and empower each other. There will be structured presentations and workshops, planned social events and free time for unstructured relationship-building and city exploration. The current, rough agenda is as follows:
Oct. 1: Self-organized social activities for early arrivals
Oct. 2: Afternoon workshops, evening welcome reception at Ms. Magazine Beverly Hills offices
Oct. 3: Morning plenaries, lunch provided, afternoon sessions, Books & Browse evening reception
Oct. 4: Morning member meeting, morning sessions, lunch provided, afternoon sessions
Oct. 5: Self-organized social activities for late departures
Will meals be provided? Yes! Lunch will be provided Saturday and Sunday. Other provided meals and receptions will be announced. Meals not on the official schedule will be unstructured, allowing attendees to explore nearby eateries and spend time together away from the venue.
What is the CAMP refund policy? CAMP registration at the Early Bird rate is non-refundable and non-transferable. Regular registration can be transferred before September 1, 2026 upon written request to hello@jaws.org.
Is conference sponsorship available? Yes! CAMP sponsors support programming and other CAMP activities, making it possible to keep the conference affordable for participants. More information is available below.
* “Women” at JAWS includes anyone who self-identifies as a woman, or as a non-binary, gender-nonconforming or agender person.
Conference sponsors make CAMP possible! Interested in sponsorship? Download our prospectus below!
JAWS thanks our 2026 sponsors for their support:
