ONA26 is where decisions about the future of journalism get made.
Taking place in Chicago, March 30 – April 1, 2026, the Online News Association’s annual conference sits at the intersection of technology and media, convening senior newsroom leaders, digital innovators and practitioners shaping how journalism evolves.
ONA26 sponsors gain direct access to a highly engaged, high‑influence audience actively evaluating tools, platforms, services and partnerships that support their work.
Who attends ONA
ONA’s annual conference brings together a diverse, interdisciplinary professional community, including:
- Newsroom leaders and executives
- Audience, growth, and analytics experts
- Product, strategy, and business leaders
- Editors, reporters, broadcasters, and visual journalists
- Entrepreneurs, technologists, funders, and educators working alongside newsrooms
Attendees come to ONA for hands-on training, interactive learning, high-level summits, and focused career-development workshops focused on emerging technology, innovation, and leadership. They leave with actionable insights and valuable connections that drive journalism forward.
Why ONA matters to sponsors
ONA26 offers multiple ways for sponsors to engage with this audience before, during, and after the conference:
- Direct access to attendee profiles and connection tools through the conference app and in-person networking
- Visibility within essential industry conversations, learning experiences and shared problem-solving
- Opportunities to contribute to the agenda through sponsored sessions and events
- Clear, structured networking moments designed for meaningful interaction
General Overview
A high-influence, decision-making audience
- 66% of ONA attendees report medium to primary influence over purchasing decisions at their organizations (including 39% who identify as primary or high-level decision-makers)
- 38% of attendees hold senior leadership roles, including Directors, Executives, C-suite leaders, and Founders
- 95% report visiting exhibit areas and lounge spaces during the conference
A newsroom-centered, interdisciplinary community
- 80%+ work directly in journalism and news organizations (10% journalism-adjacent technology/tools; 12% academic)
- Attendees span a wide range of functional roles, many with intentional overlap:
- 45% leadership and strategy
- 36% reporting, editing, and producing
- 34% audience engagement, growth, and social
- 25% product development and project management
*Data based on ONA25 attendees
Newsrooms Represented
- Digital Only: 39%
- Multiplatform: 26%
- Social Media: 18%
- Newspaper: 14%
- Newsletter: 14%
- Video: 11%
- Podcast: 8%
- Radio: 5%
- Television: 5%
- Magazine: 5%
- Wire Service: 2%
- Digital Only: 39%
- Multiplatform: 26%
- Social Media: 18%
- Newspaper: 14%
- Newsletter: 14%
- Video: 11%
- Podcast: 8%
- Radio: 5%
- Television: 5%
- Magazine: 5%
- Wire Service: 2%
Geographic Coverage Area
- Global: 13%
- Local: 23%
- National: 21%
- Regional: 15%
- Statewide/Provincewide: 12%
- Global: 13%
- Local: 23%
- National: 21%
- Regional: 15%
- Statewide/Provincewide: 12%
Top 10 types of exhibitors and sponsors attendees requested for future events:*
- Data journalism and visualization tools
- Training and professional development
- Newsletter platforms and tools
- Content distribution platforms
- Social media platforms and tools
*Data based on ONA25 attendees
- Audio, video and immersive storytelling tools and equipment
- Journalism schools and fellowship opportunities
- Workflow platforms and tools
- Data security, personal safety and privacy tools
- AI tools and large language models (LLMs)
General Sponsorship Benefits
Unless otherwise noted, all sponsor packages include the following baseline benefits:
- 10’x10’ standard exhibiting booth space in the Salon A or C foyers at the Hilton Chicago, immediately adjacent to programming spaces; shared electrical access is included
- Full conference passes (number varies by package)
- Tiered sponsor branding on the ONA26 website and in conference email newsletters
- Virtual booth on the ONA26 live event website and app
- Rotating digital ad on the ONA26 website
- Virtual booth on ONA26 live event website and app
- Rotating digital ad on ONA26 website
- Logo/name inclusion on physical signage, virtual promotion, and opening slides for general sessions
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (one year past current expiration date)
- All sponsors have the option to purchase up to two additional full conference passes at a discounted rate of $300 per pass.
Notes
- Sponsors are responsible for any specialty furniture, A/V needs and food and beverage costs. ONA will provide a list of approved vendors.
- ONA will share several updated attendee lists with confirmed sponsors and exhibitors beginning one month before the conference. Shared information will not include email addresses or phone numbers.
- For RSVP-only events, ONA will request attendee permission before sharing any participant information with sponsors.
- ONA cannot target or segment individual attendees on behalf of sponsors for outreach related to any sponsor package, including RSVP-only events.
- Limited sponsor and exhibitor storage is available at the Hilton Chicago on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Discounted conference passes for staff supporting exhibiting spaces are available for $300 per pass (limit two per sponsor group). All staff present in exhibiting spaces must hold an ONA26 conference pass.
- The option to provide coffee to ONA26 attendees in exhibiting spaces is reserved exclusively for the official ONA26 Coffee Sponsor. This restriction does not apply to private sponsor lounges in assigned rooms outside common networking areas.
Contact Hanaa Rifaey at hanaa@journalists.org to discuss last minute sponsorship opportunities.
Additional Promotional Opportunities
The following opportunities are available with or without an ONA26 sponsor package. No additional benefits are included beyond those listed.
- ONA26 Newsletter: $800 per issue (limited availability)
- ONA26 Conference Daily: $1,250 per ad per issue (2 ads per issue available)
- ONA26 Premium Online Ad Space: $1,000 for the month of March
- ONA Weekly Newsletter: $750 per issue (discounts available)
Additional year-round partnership opportunities are available upon request.