Communicators, Journalists mine finer points from topics of the day over dinner at Club

National Press Club members enjoyed another Roundtable Dinner for Communicators & Journalists on Jan. 19 in the Cosgrove Lounge. More than a dozen registered for the three-course dinner.

“Our dinners feature lively discussion with fellow communicators and journalists on current topics we all face in our function and profession,” said Paul Minehart, a veteran Club member who started, and manages, the dinners. “Our recent dinner was no exception. We discussed how Southwest Airlines is handling its current reputational difficulties and debated the emerging use of artificial intelligence in journalism and communications functions.”

Oonagh McDonald, Club member and expert in international financial regulation, opined about the currently controversial cryptocurrency. A new Club member from Kuwait spoke on press freedom restrictions, and how these affected his career, in his homeland. A guest who leads an NGO think tank discussed global security issues.

Karen Naumann, a contractor with the U.S. Department of State and a former U.S. Department of Defense contractor, spoke of her recent role abroad. Mitch Marovitz, who leads the Communications, Journalism, and Speech Program at the University of Maryland Global Campus, gave guests a view into the curriculum trends for graduate students. 

These popular gatherings began in 2014 as an activity for professional communicators. Over the course of 27 events, the roundtables evolved to include journalists. “During COVID, we transitioned to virtual events, hosting six, until in-person dinners resumed in March 2022,” Minehart said. “We renamed them ‘Make Your Own Cocktail’ Zoom sessions, but the purpose of lively discussion remained.”

The next dinner is scheduled for May 4. Look for details and a registration link to be published in The Wire starting in April.