-- I say we ditch this idea of "gaps left by news" theme. It's important, but also invites backward glances and I'm not entirely sure what we mean by "news" here -- as a group, we need to recognize that there's more to "news" than "newspapers". Instead, focus on the "models & examples of success" part. What's happening now? What's successful? What's poised to take-off? Where are there untapped opportunities? alt concept / title: "making it work" (spoiler: no single answer).

event schedule

Working get list for the main panel

People we'd have to fly in:

• David Cohn (spot.us, San Francisco)
• Steven Johnson (outside.in)
• Mike Orren (Pegasus News, Dallas)
• Adrian Holovaty (EveryBlock, Chicago)
• anyone of note from Voice Of San Diego
• anyone of note from MinnPost

Locals:

• The usual hyperlocal suspects (Cory Bergman, Tracy Record, Justin Carder, Amber Campbell) + Scott Dunham from CD News/Instivate
• Mike Davidson or Calvin Tang (Newsvine)
• Penny Arcade folks
• I'd like to also find a local, profitable niche blogger. --we're at a stage where "profitable" might be few & far between so we shouldn't be too stringent here. I think that with a few exceptions, a lot of this is still in the "start-up" phase where people are working hard and finding out what's sustainable, profitable, scalable, etc. To that end, there's a lot of "news" that isn't hyperlocal neighborhood focused.
• food-types? orangette, gluten free girl?
• music? sound on the sound, three imaginary girls?
• sports? USSM, Lookout Landing, etc.
• transit/environment: sightline, seattle transit blog, ...
• politics: horsesass/publicola/

Business/Advertising:

• MSFT adCenter folk
• local advertising people?
• Razorfish?
• someone from Amazon / Kindle / "the future of reading"

Moderator get list

Dave Ross was OK, but for event #2 I'd like to get someone who has experience with the tech industry and local bloggers.

Could Todd Bishop or John Cook moderate effectively?

"Audience Panel"

I think this worked well in Event 1 -- we got the right people up front. I'd like to flip the tables this time and pack the front with local press people, especially the more vocal ones from last time.

Beyond Event #2

We need to start discussing what comes next. Some ideas that have been thrown around:

• Advocacy site for hyperlocal media/new media initiatives
• More Events to continue the conversation
• Barcamp for journalists (or training potential journalists)
• Startup Weekend for trying to encourage media-related startups (and encourage journalist-techie-business exchanges)
• Blogging (of course)

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE READY TO MOVE TO ACTION. WE NEED TO GIVE THEM A WAY TO ACT.