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The 2018 IRE Conference begins Thursday. Below you'll find a few bits of information to help you prepare for this great conference! For the latest up-to-date information about panels, speakers and special events at the conference, please visit our conference website.
Hotel Information
The conference is taking place at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, 6677 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32821.
Registration
Registration opens Wednesday at 2 p.m. and will be available Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the 1st floor meeting space at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.
Weather
It's going to be a typical June in Orlando: warm and rainy. See the 10-day forecast thanks to weather.com.
Wireless Internet
Stop by the registration desk, check the mobile app or look for signs with the wireless access code available throughout the meeting space. Thanks to Raycom Media for sponsoring the wireless internet this year.
I-Ride Trolley Tickets
All registered conference attendees will receive a 3-day I-Ride trolley pass when they pick up their name tag at registration. The I-Ride trolley has different routes in the International Drive tourist district -- offering easy transportation to restaurants, shopping and nightlife. A map of routes can be found here.
Have a question or need help in a session?
Room monitors will be stationed in the hallways during sessions and will be happy to answer your questions.
IRE Conference app
(Thanks to Advance Local for sponsoring the app this year)
You're tech-savvy and care about the environment, and so do we. Rather than printing 1,800 schedules, we're giving you three ways to track the full schedule of panels, hands-on classes and special events with accurate, up-to-the-minute details:
Internet is not required for the app to work once it's downloaded. However, a connection is necessary to receive any updates sent by IRE.
Conference Daily Update
Be sure to check the conference app (Day 1 news update) or your email for any last-minute programming updates.
Broadcast Show & Tell and one-on-one mentoring
Show & Tell sessions allow you to share your investigations with colleagues from around the country. Veteran broadcasters will moderate each session. Each slot runs for 15 minutes. One-on-one mentoring sessions will also be available during the conference with Al Tompkins and Barry Nash and Company. Learn more and sign-up for any of these broadcast options here.
Tweeting from the conference? Use #IRE18 to follow the action.
Special training
Be sure to check out the list of special sessions and other activities organized by our partners.
Updated IRE Principles (Code of Conduct)
Investigative Reporters & Editors is committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, appearance or religion.
IRE supports vigorous debate and welcomes disagreement, while maintaining a civil and respectful community.
IRE may take any action it deems appropriate to deal with those who violate our principles, including exclusion from our events, forums, listservs and the organization itself.
Anyone who feels threatened or in immediate jeopardy during an IRE event should call building security in Orlando by calling 0 from a house phone or local police by dialing 911.
Additional concerns can be brought to the attention of IRE staff or board members in person. Contact information for both staff and board members can also be found on IRE's website.
IRE Board Meeting
Thursday, June 14 at 2 p.m. in Zander, located on the 2nd floor
This meeting is open to all IRE members.
Welcome reception sponsored by Google News Initiative
Thursday, June 14 at 6 p.m. in the Atrium
Kick off the conference with a welcome reception on Thursday night. Meet up with friends you have not seen since last year and welcome new attendees. Each attendee will receive one drink ticket for beer, wine, soda or bottled water.
Media lawyers brown bag sponsored by TEGNA Foundation
Friday, June 15 at 12:45 p.m. in Oceans 4
Does your investigation contain complex legal questions? Unsure of how to proceed? Bring your lunch and your questions for a discussion with some prominent media law experts who will be presenting throughout the 2018 IRE Conference. We'll provide drinks and dessert.
IRE Board of Directors candidate forum
Friday, June 15 at 6:15 p.m. in Oceans 5-8
Meet the candidates for the IRE Board of Directors at 6:15 p.m. in Oceans 5-8, located on the 1st floor of the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld following the afternoon Showcase Panel.
IRE Membership Meeting
Saturday, June 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Oceans 9-12
IRE Executive Director Doug Haddix and IRE Board President Matt Goldberg will hold an informational meeting and provide “The State of IRE” report for all IRE members at 5:30 p.m. in Oceans 9-12, located on the 1st floor of the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.
Closing reception
Saturday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium
Join us for a closing reception and enjoy one last evening of catching up with old and new friends, speakers and colleagues. Hors d' oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Conference name tags are required for entry.
We thank you for your continued support and are looking forward to seeing you in Orlando!
The 2018 IRE Conference app is now available through Guidebook!
We encourage you to download our mobile guide to enhance your experience at the 2018 IRE Conference. You'll be able to plan your day with a personalized schedule, browse maps and connect with other attendees.
The app is free and compatible with iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches and Android devices. Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry users can access the same information via our mobile site.
To get the guide, choose one of the methods below:
Two Reuters journalists, arrested while reporting on human rights abuses in Myanmar, have been selected as recipients of the Don Bolles Medal from Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE).
The Don Bolles Medal recognizes investigative journalists who have exhibited extraordinary courage in standing up against intimidation or efforts to suppress the truth about matters of public importance.
Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been imprisoned since December 2017.
"These two dedicated journalists were interested in one thing: the truth," IRE President Matt Goldberg said. "The pursuit of the truth should never be a crime, in Myanmar or in any country."
At the time of their arrest, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were investigating the September 2017 massacre of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The murders occurred during an army crackdown that the United Nations said has sent 700,000 people flooding into Bangladesh.
The two journalists were accused of "illegally possessing confidential government documents" after two police officers invited them to dinner and handed them a stack of rolled-up papers.
A police captain has testified that officers had been ordered to "trap" Wa Lone.
"I should be in the newsroom," Wa Lone said during a February court appearance. "I am a journalist. I never did anything wrong."
Formed in 1975, IRE is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting around the globe.
The Don Bolles Medal was created last year in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Arizona Project, an effort led by IRE to finish the work of Don Bolles, an Arizona Republic investigative reporter who was killed in 1976 by a car bomb.
Bolles' death came a few days before the first national IRE conference in Indianapolis, where the veteran reporter had been scheduled to speak on a panel. At the time, Bolles had been investigating allegations of land fraud involving prominent politicians and individuals with ties to organized crime.
After his murder, nearly 40 journalists from across the country descended on Arizona to complete his investigation. News organizations across the country published their findings.
Their message: Even if you kill a reporter, you can’t kill the story.
"This year, our message is that you cannot lock up journalists, in an attempt to hide the truth, without the world taking notice," said Phil Williams, chair of IRE’s public engagement committee.
The Don Bolles Medal will be accepted June 16 by Reuters representatives during the annual IRE national conference in Orlando.
By Naseem Miller, Orlando Sentinel
The 2018 IRE Conference at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is located Southwest of Orlando, at the heart of city’s tourist area known as International Drive, or I-Drive. It’s about 15 miles away from downtown Orlando.
There are attractions, museums, shops and many chain restaurants nearby. But don’t count on walking ... anywhere. Locals mostly get around with cars or buses, because the area is spread out and the weather is usually hot, humid and/or rainy.
For the fitness buffs, it’s best to avoid running and biking outdoors. You may get hit by a car.
That said, here’s some info that might help you get around and enjoy the city:
Food
You’ll most likely notice the chains, but there are some good small restaurants around. Domu ramen bar has received rave reviews from The New York Times. While there, check out the other shops and restaurants in the East End Market. Bosphorus serves up great Turkish food and has a location near the hotel. If you like Vietnamese food, there’s a row of them on East Colonial Drive (S.R. 50).
Consider driving or riding over to Orlando’s Restaurant Row on Sand Lake Road. This district is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel. If you’re looking for sushi, visit Dragonfly Robata (reservations recommended.) In the same area, you’ll find steakhouses, seafood restaurants and a taco bar.
You can also find more restaurant reviews from the Orlando Sentinel here.
Excursions
If you decide to venture away from the hotel, about 20 miles into the city you’ll find Park Avenue in an older suburb of Orlando called Winter Park (a.k.a. old money). There are many restaurants and boutiques on Park Ave. The Morse Museum, which has a permanent exhibit of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work, including his incredible chapel, is also on Park Avenue. It makes for a nice evening stroll.
Another quaint area to visit for restaurants and shops is a stretch of Edgewater Drive in College Park, which is about 20 miles away from the hotel. Also consider visiting downtown Orlando, home to Lake Eola Park, the Doctor Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and plenty of restaurants.
Get a taste of theme parks without paying for a ticket
For a night out of eating, window shopping and entertainment, check out Disney Springs. If you’re a Universal Studios fan, try Universal CityWalk. Both are located near the main theme parks.
Pointe Orlando is another nearby entertainment hub for tourists with chain restaurants, shops and a few quirky entertainment spots like the WonderWorks Upside-Down Mansion.
Shopping Popular shopping destinations near the conference hotel — not in walking distance — are Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, which is close to Florida Mall, Orlando International Premium Outlets, and Mall at Millenia. If you’re planning to have breakfast at Tiffany’s, Mall at Millenia is the place to go. The mall is surrounded by lots of shops and restaurants.
Car
If you’re comfortable following your GPS, driving is the easiest way to get around Orlando.
Tip: SR 408 (East-West Expressway), SR 417 (Central Florida Greenway) and SR 528 (Beachline Expressway) have tolls. Some toll stations have an attendant, some take coins, some have both. All have an E-Pass lane, which you can zoom through if you have an E-Pass sticker or transponder that will automatically charge your account. Visit www.cfxway.com/for-travelers to calculate your toll.
I-4 is Orlando’s main toll-free highway. However, it’s almost always congested due to an ongoing construction project.
Bus system
Orlando’s bus system is called LYNX. If you’re staying in the International Drive area, the bus services can be used to travel to most attractions. It’s inexpensive, but using it takes some planning. Visit golynx.com for the schedule.
Trolley on International Drive
I-Drive has its own trolley system called I-Ride. All conference attendees will receive a three-day pass for the trolley in their registration packets (watch for more information in the conference welcome email). Visit iridetrolley.com for schedule or click here for a map of trolley stops.
Pedicab
Another way to get around International Drive is hopping on a Pedicab. Visit redipedicabservices.com for more info.
Taxi
There are several cab companies in Orlando. Visit taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for the fees and taxi options.
Tip: Many taxis have started accepting credit cards, but some still ask for cash, so don’t forget to carry cash.
Uber & Lyft also have services in Orlando.
SunRail
Central Florida’s two-year-old commuter rail system is still expanding, but it can provide for a clean and quick transportation option in certain areas of Orlando. Visit sunrail.com for routes and schedule. There is no late-night or weekend service. The closest stop is Sand Lake Road, about 10 miles from the hotel.
Biking
Orlando is still working on becoming bike-friendly. In touristy areas like I-Drive, it can be risky to bike. So if you want to bike for a workout, consider using the hotel fitness center instead. If you’re a serious biker, two safe and established biking trails in Orlando are Cady Way Trail and West Orange Trail.
Running and walking
If you decide to run or walk outdoors, be careful. Drivers are still working on learning to share the road. Please put your safety first. Again, for a workout, your hotel fitness center is the best option.
Health emergencies
Central Florida is growing rapidly, so are its hospitals. We have free-standing ERs and urgent care centers popping up like Starbucks. The nearest hospital to the hotel is Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. There are several urgent care centers nearby, including Paramount Urgent Care and a few Florida Hospital Centra Care urgent care centers.
We’re offering several opportunities for broadcast journalists to receive individualized and small-group coaching at the IRE Conference in Orlando.
These coaching sessions are free to attendees but require sign-up. Sixty percent of the available slots are open for registration now; The remaining 40 percent (designated as "Drop-In Slot" on the schedule) will open for sign-up on Wednesday, June 13.
Barry Nash and his team return this year to provide personalized coaching sessions. If you have questions about any aspect of your delivery — your appearance, how you use your voice, how you can perform most effectively in the field or in the studio — this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Barry has been working with talent at all levels of experience and ability for over 30 years. Jenni Steck works with network and local talent, and specializes in using the body, voice, and breath to project confidence, maturity, and urgency. Barrett Nash works with network and local talent, and specializes in both performance and development of a powerful and credible visual image. Sign up!
Al Tompkins will also offer one-on-one broadcast mentoring in Orlando. Sign up for a session.
We’ll also be offering Broadcast Show & Tell (Sponsored by Napoli Management Group). These popular, interactive sessions allow you to share your investigations with colleagues from around the country. Veteran broadcasters will moderate each session. Each slot runs for 15 minutes. Learn more about how it works, including how to sign up.
Questions? Email Sarah Hutchins at sarah@ire.org.
Starting today, IRE members can vote online for the IRE Board of Directors and Contest Committee. Ballots will be sent to the primary e-mail as listed in your membership profile.
So far, ten people have declared candidacy; seven of the board’s 13 seats are up for election this year. Three incumbents have decided not to run for new terms. Two people have declared candidacy for the Contest Committee. To learn more about the candidates, click here.
After your vote is cast, it cannot be changed. Please be mindful that candidates for the IRE board and the contest committee have the option of joining the race up to June 15.
If you'll be joining us in Orlando for the 2018 IRE Conference, you'll have a chance to hear from the board candidates in person. A short forum will be held at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, June 15, immediately following the Showcase Panel. You'll still have a day to vote online after the forum.
Voting closes at 6 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 16. Results will be announced shortly afterward during the annual IRE membership meeting and later posted online. To learn more about the voting process, click here.
The IRE Conference will have something for everyone, but we’ve put together several themed tracks to address key issues, skills and challenges facing the industry.
For more details on these sessions, use the IRE18 online schedule.
Special for IRE18:
Timely for 2018…
If you’re new to investigative reporting...
If you want to hone your research skills...
If you need story ideas...
If you’re a beat reporter...
If you’re a broadcaster...
If you need advice...
If you’re interested in diversity inside and outside the newsroom...
If you cover politics or elections….
If you’re a manager…
If you want to up your FOIA game...
If you want to tell a better story...
If you want to meet new people...
If you want to pick up new tools and tech skills...
If you want to improve your workflow...
If you’re a freelancer (or want to be one)...
Thanks to the generosity of donors, IRE is fortunate to have funding available to award 23 fellowships and scholarships for the June 2018 IRE Conference in Orlando.
Mark Olalde, an independent journalist in Washington, D.C., received the David Dietz Fellowship.
The fellowship was established in 2011 for the late David Dietz, an award-winning journalist and a past president of IRE. The fellowship supports early career journalists who have a demonstrated interest in financial investigative reporting.
Courtney Johns from KOLN-TV (Lincoln, Nebraska) was awarded the Napoli Management Group TV Scholarship.
Established by the Napoli Management Group to support early career TV journalists interested in investigative reporting.
Sarah Gamard and Devon Sanders, both from Louisiana State University, received the James Richard Bennett Scholarship.
The scholarships are made possible by Dr. James Richard Bennett, professor emeritus of English at the University of Arkansas. The scholarships support college students in Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Jessica Priest from the Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas) and Saja Hindi from the Fort Collins Coloradoan (Fort Collins, Colorado) were awarded the Godfrey Wells Stancill Fellowship.
Established by former IRE board member Nancy Stancill and her family in memory of her father, Godfrey Wells Stancill, who was an editor and publisher of the Suffolk (Va.) News-Herald. The fellowships support journalists working for newspapers with a Sunday circulation of under 50,000.
Melissa Montoya from The News-Press (Fort Myers, Florida), Hayat Norimine from the Seattle Met (Seattle, Washington), April Simpson from Current (Washington, D.C.), Steph Solis from Asbury Park Press (Neptune, New Jersey) and Nicole Foy from the Idaho Press-Tribune (Nampa, Idaho) were awarded Philip L. Graham Fund Fellowships.
Established by the Philip L. Graham Fund to increase diversity of the investigative journalism community. The fund is named for the late publisher of The Washington Post and president of The Washington Post Company (now Graham Holdings Company).
Carlos Vazquez Ortero from the Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), Silvia Foster-Frau from the San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio, Texas), David Manoucheri from KCRA-TV (Sacramento, California) and Loren Thomas from WLTX-TV (Columbia, South Carolina) received IRE’s Minority Development Scholarship.
IRE established the Minority Development Fund in order to increase the diversity of the IRE membership.
Lindsey Boyd from San Jose State University, Lauren Mapp from San Diego State University, Amanda Lien from Temple University, Erin Dobrzyn from California State University, Long Beach and Ashlea Brown from Spelman College received Columbia Journalism School Student Fellowships.
Established by the Columbia Journalism School to provide future journalists the ability to attend the IRE conference in order to network, receive training and to learn about journalism trends to better prepare for successful careers.
Katie Shepherd from the Willamette Week (Portland, Oregon) and Sami Edge from The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico) received the Jennifer Leonard Scholarship.
Established by IRE member David Cay Johnston to honor his wife, Jennifer, who is a national leader in promoting ethical standards for endowments. The scholarship supports women studying journalism or in their first three years of their professional journalism career.
Katrease Stafford from the Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) received a Chicago Tribune Foundation Fellowship.
The Chicago Tribune Fellowships support IRE’s goal of increasing diversity within the investigative journalism community.
If you are interested in applying for a fellowship or scholarship for financial assistance for future IRE training events, go here for more information and due dates. The next deadline is June 18 for fellowships and scholarships to attend August boot camps.
Registration is now open for the fourth edition of Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival and Symposium in Washington, D.C., October 11-14, 2018, presented by 100Reporters.
Uniquely among film festivals, Double Exposure pairs showings of the most exciting new investigative works on film with a symposium custom-built to advance investigative projects, and promote dialogue between investigative reporters, filmmakers, and the industry that supports them.
Beyond film screenings, panels, master classes and workshops, this year's edition will offer exciting initiatives, based on what you've told us you need. These include pitch sessions for journalists with projects that lend themselves to film; pre-arranged one-on-one meetings with industry gatekeepers through DX Access; free legal guidance, with the possibility of ongoing representation, via the DX Pro Bono Legal Clinic and more. Funders, commissioning editors, journalists, producers, and directors who return each year value Double Exposure for the lively, provocative conversation and spirit of collegiality.
Join us! Register now for early bird discounts.
An anonymous tip led the Los Angeles Times to a shocking revelation about the University of Southern California’s medical school dean, an internationally renowned physician. Faculty and staff had complained for years about dean Carmen Puliafito’s conduct, but it wasn’t until the Times uncovered his secret drug use and partying that he was removed from the university. On this week’s episode, Paul Pringle of the L.A. Times takes us through his investigation into the dean’s double life.
You can find the podcast on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Google Play. If you have a story you think we should feature on the show, drop us a note at web@ire.org. We’d love to hear from you.
Looking for links to the stories and resources we discussed on this week's podcast? We've collected them for you.
Noe Noe (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0
Club Count (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0
Circle Deserrat (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0
A Certain Lightness (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0
Faithless Constellation (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0
Seamless (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0
FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0
Taylor Blatchford reported this episode. Tessa Weinberg is our host. IRE Editorial Director Sarah Hutchins edits the podcast. Blake Nelson draws our episode art. We are recorded in the studios of KBIA at the University of Missouri.
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