JAWS CAMP 2026 Workshop: What's NEXT? Rewriting the Career Playbook
JAWS CAMP 2026: What separates the journalists who continue creating opportunities from those who find themselves reacting to them? Spoiler alert, it isn't talent or experience. Taking ownership of your career in the face of constant change requires a different playbook. The journalists who continue to grow aren't simply working harder, they're making intentional shifts that expand their influence, create new opportunities, and give them more control over what's NEXT.
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.
JAWS’ annual Conference and Mentoring Program (CAMP) will be held Oct. 2-4, 2026 at the Hyatt Centric Delfina in Santa Monica, California.
Registration for the conference is open! Reserve your spot now:
Stay at the CAMP meeting hotel and use the reservation link below for the discounted booking rate. Benefits include NO destination fees and discounted valet parking. Discounted rates end Sept. 10!
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Aundrea Cline-Thomas is a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who partners with founders, executives, and forward-thinking brands to craft stories that clarify value, build trust, and move audiences to action. Her work spans executive communication and media training, and includes producing original creative projects designed to shape perception and drive measurable business outcomes. In response to industry upheaval, Aundrea also founded The Rewrite to help journalists and storytellers successfully navigate the industry upheaval. In 2025 The Rewrite partnered with JAWS to provide members with tools and resources designed to build career resilience. The Rewrite is part of The NEXT Best Thing, the ecosystem built to help professionals turn clarity, agency, and narrative into real career opportunity, through a newsletter, podcast, and hands on workshops with experts. Under her guidance, members have negotiated five-figure raises, stepped into leadership roles, launched new ventures, and moved forward with far more confidence.
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FAQs
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 Blvdin 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: Daytime workshops, evening welcome reception at Ms. Magazine 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.