The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Annual Conference in Austin brings together journalists, government leaders, attorneys and interested citizens to delve into the current issues of government transparency and free speech. We honor FOI heroes with the James Madison Award and outstanding journalism with the Spirit of FOI Award.
This year’s conference “Protecting Free Speech and Transparency” will be Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at the Hilton Austin, 500 E. Fourth St. Our keynote luncheon speaker is esteemed journalist Kathleen McElroy. We’ll also hear from leaders of the SMU School of Law First Amendment Clinic, recipient of the James Madison Award. Register for the event here as an individual attendee for $120, which includes the luncheon, or sign up for a sponsorship.
2024 Conference Agenda
8:15 a.m.: Registration desk opens, coffee available
9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.: Welcome from FOIFT president Ayan Mittra, followed by kickoff panel “First Amendment under fire;” moderator Yvonne Mintz of The Facts in Brazoria County; panelists JT Morris of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Tom Leatherbury of the SMU Dedman School of Law First Amendment Clinic and attorney Alicia Calzada of the National Press Photographers Association.
10:15 a.m.: Break
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: “FOI and the 2025 Texas Legislature;” moderator Josh Hinkle of KXAN; panelists Laura Prather of Haynes and Boone and FOIFT’s legislative co-chair, Linda Pavlik of the League of Women Voters of Texas and the Texas Sunshine Coalition and open government attorney Bill Aleshire.
11:30 a.m.: Break, transition to luncheon ballroom
Noon to 1:30 p.m.: John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon featuring esteemed journalist Kathleen McElroy, our keynote speaker; presentation of the James Madison Award; and presentation of the Spirit of FOI Awards.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: “Attaining transparency: Real world stories;” moderator Amy Hollyfield of The Dallas Morning News; panelists Tony Plohetski of KVUE-TV and the Austin American-Statesman, Scott Reese Willey of the Fort Bend Herald and Lexi Churchill of The Texas Tribune/ProPublica investigative team.
Note: Self-parking for the day is available at a discounted rate of $12. Ask for a discount voucher at the conference registration table. Hotel rooms at a conference rate of $259 per night are available for Sept. 9-15 (one night or multiple nights) at the following reservation link. The reservation cutoff date for this rate was Aug. 13; after that the rate may be available but is not guaranteed: https://book.passkey.com/gt/220068752?gtid=9ec7e0e80a85cdbbbbcf562eb6adb8fa
Photos from past conferences:
Paul Watler, an FOIFT board member and First Amendment attorney, leads a discussion in 2014 on the Texas Public Information Act that included state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi; Austin attorney Bill Aleshire; Texas Tribune reporter Terri Langford; and Amanda Crawford (not visible in photo), chief of the Open Records Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office. (Photo by Jack Plunkett.)
Photos from the 2013 state conference:
Panelists at the 2013 annual conference discuss open government legislation. From left to right, Tom “Smitty” Smith of Public Citizen; Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake; and First Amendment attorney Laura Prather.
Transparency in higher education panelists listen to questions from conference attendees in 2013. From left to right, Reeve Hamilton of The Texas Tribune; Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo; Jim Vertuno of the Associated Press; and Kelly Brown, editor of The Eagle of Bryan-College Station. Photos by Jack Plunkett.