AT GONZAGA UNIVERSITY

Open to TV professionals and high school/college students

SATURDAY, October 18th, 2025

9:00am - 2:00pm

lunch included

REGISTRATION: $20 per person

SCHEDULE

9:00-9:15 Opens to everyone, Check in lobby area of Cataldo Hall
9:15-10:00 Opening Session - Getting the Job You Want: An Interactive Talk with Top Bosses in the Globe Room of Cataldo Hall
10:00-10:15 Break (snack offered)
10:15-11:00 Workshops Session A
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-12:00 Workshops Session B
12:00-1:00 Networking Lunch
1:00-1:45 Workshops Session C
2:00 Wrap-up
2:15-2:45 Optional Gonzaga University TV tour

OPENING SESSION

HOW TO GET THE JOB:
AN INTERACTIVE TALK WITH TOP BOSSES

Panelists include Paul Bergen, Executive News Director, KHQ/Cowles Media, Laura Evans, News Director, KIRO, RJ Merritt, GM, KREM, Melissa Luck, News Director, KXLY, Omari Salisbury, Founder, Converge Media, Gary Stokes, President & General Manager, KSPS

WORKSHOPS A

1. Powerful Producing: How to Create Content

Laura Evans, KIRO, Jessie Kane, News Director, KREM, Misti Reed, Former Asst. News Director, KXLY

2. Elevate your Editing & Videography Skills

Michael Driver, Video Journalist/Storyteller/Editor, FOX 13, Gabe Furguson, Chief Photographer, KHQ, Aaron Kunz, Production Manager, Idaho Public Television, Chelsea Shepherd, Producer & Editor, Freelance (formerly with Hoarders, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, KIRO, Seattle Channel)

3. Reporting 101:

Focus on strong writing skills, basics of reporting, generating story ideas, on camera presence, working with photographers/editors - Melissa Luck, News Director, KXLY, Luke Thoburn, Director of Training, KHQ/Cowles Mediap>

WORKSHOPS B

1. Advanced Reporting: Ethics, Political Coverage, Preparing for Tough interviews, Mental Health, Staying Safe

Jessie Kane, News Director, KREM, Melissa Luck, News Director, KXLY, Bradley Warren, Anchor/Reporter, KHQ

2. For the Love of Sports

John Collett, Asst. Professor, Gonzaga University, Derek Deis, Anchor, KXLY, Greg Thies, Production Manager, KING 5 (retired), Andrew Quinn, Sports Director, KREM

3. Diverse Voices in Storytelling

Imran Haider/WSU, Nicole Sanchez/variety of stations including Seattle Channel, Gary Stokes/KSPS

WORKSHOPS C

1. Diving into Documentaries

Aaron Kunz, Production Manager, Idaho Public Television, Gary Stokes, GM, KSPS

2. Making it as an MMJ

Nicole Hernandez, KREM, Brandon Sullivan, Reporter/Photographer/Editor, Freelance, Bradley Warren, Anchor/Reporter, KHQ

3. Reality TV & Entertainment

Doneen Arquines, Executive Producer, Top Chef, Besa Gordon, Host/Producer, Converge, Omari Salisbury, Founder, Converge Media, Chelsea Shepherd, Producer/Editor, Freelance (formerly with Hoarders, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, KIRO, Seattle Channel), Lexi Sisk,Location Managers Guild, CA

Station tourS

KHQ will provide an optional tour from 7-8:30am on Oct 18th. Includes breakfast-type snacks and a behind-the-scenes of the morning newscast from the production booth.

KREM will provide an optional TV station tour from 4-5:30pm on Oct. 18th. Attendees can see the newscast from 5-5:30.

DIRECTIONS AND ROOMS

Check-in and the opening session will be held at Cataldo Hall, 429 E Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99202. Additional details about rooms below.

For general parking – there is a surface lot in front of College Hall and lot between Jundt Art Museum and Myrtle.  

From I-90 Westbound or Eastbound

  1. Take Exit 282 – Hamilton Street

  2. Continue through the stoplight at the bottom of the exit ramp

  3. Turn left on DeSmet Avenue, then right into the BARC Parking Garage.

From Downtown Spokane

  1. Head north on Division St., which turns into Ruby St.

  2. Turn right onto Sharp Ave.

  3. Turn right onto Cincinnati St.

  4. BARC Parking Garage is on your left. Visitor parking is available on the 1st and 3rd floors.

A downloadable campus map is available online here.

Room locations

The opening session is in the Globe Room at Cataldo Hall, 429 E Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99202.

Workshop breakout sessions will be in the Jepson Center, in room 017, 108 and 109. Room designations for each session will be made at a later date.

accomodations

We have secured a limited number of hotel rooms at a discounted rate of $109 plus tax at the Ruby Red Hotel for the nights of Oct. 17 and 18. Use this link to book your room: National Academy of Television, Arts & Science

A special thank you to Gonzaga University for partnering with us.