I'm extremely disappointed, though, to see so few signs of original thinking, virtually no truly new ideas being generated, no true guts on display anywhere, anytime. That a publisher who comes up through the business ranks has to show editors the righteous path is disgraceful. I'm connected with a relatively new organization that puts on a great conference every year, with some of the best people in the business, leaders interested in getting their ideas across to anyone who will listen when they talk about the economic problems, the personnel issues, the technology difficulties we're all facing in newsrooms. We have the commitment from people in much lower ranks. I don't see the same energy or creativity coming from those who theoretically lead us.
Fresh air is good for all.
Throw open the voting one year. And don't ask later how he or she voted. Open up your program. Let some of the other organizations run it one year and show you some of the ideas percolating in your own newsrooms. And push to get all the usual attendees to show up and listen for a change.