CONTACT:
Karyn Nishimura Sneath, SPJ Director of Education, 317-920-4791, ksneath@spj.org
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS —The Society of Professional Journalists is excited to announce Gio Benitez of “Good Morning America Weekend Edition” and Lisa Guerrero of “Inside Edition” as keynote speakers for the SPJ 23 Journalism Convention.

The convention will be Sept. 28-30 in Las Vegas and early bird registration is now open. The convention boasts 51 breakout sessions, including exciting pre-con sessions, plus three must-attend keynote addresses.

The engaging and uplifting Benitez is co-anchor of “Good Morning America Weekend Edition” starts each day informing his national audience of timely news, culture, wellness and other useful information to help you live your best life.

On the second day of convention, award-winning journalist Guerrero will share insights from her iconic career as chief investigative correspondent for "Inside Edition" as well as her past work as the first female sports reporter at CBS2 in Los Angeles and the first Latina sideline reporter for "Monday Night Football."

The final keynote on Saturday will feature a discussion with the 2023 Fellows of the Society, who will be announced soon. SPJ’s top professional honor, this award recognizes journalists who have made an extraordinary contribution to the profession.

Benitez is an award-winning reporter who has covered a wide range of stories for the network, including the Pulse nightclub shooting, El Chapo’s underground escape from a Mexican prison and the Boston Marathon bombing. He has a long history of breaking exclusive investigative stories as part of the series, “GMA Investigates.” Some of these investigations have led to important safety recalls. In his role as transportation correspondent since 2020, Benitez has covered aviation during the industry’s near-total collapse in the pandemic as well as the onset of America’s private space industry. He has also reported extensively on plane and helicopter crashes across the country, train derailments and the dangerous effects of hot cars on children.

He will share his professional experiences, career trajectory and key moments which shaped him as a journalist and role model.

Guerrero is the chief investigative correspondent for “Inside Edition,” and travels the country covering crimes, scams, cold cases and consumer reports. Her career has been full of trials and tribulations as a woman and a Latina in the news business. Her new book, “Warrior: My Path to Being Brave,” chronicles her rollercoaster experience and details the scrutiny and harassment she faced as a woman in the sports news industry. She began her career as a sports anchor in 1997 in Los Angeles through joining ABC Monday Night Football as its first Latina sideline reporter.

Her inspiring message helps journalists learn how to deal with scrutiny and harassment while finding their voice in a demanding business.

Registration for SPJ23 is open. View rates and keep an eye on the schedule as more session details will be announced in the coming weeks. The convention also features an exciting opening night reception, networking opportunities, inspiring awards presentations, a full expo hall and much more.

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.

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