We now have almost all the details finalized (we still need to get a few speakers in place), and you can now register for the Oct. 5-7 2006 ONA Conference, as well as several very exciting workshops.

The early bird fee for ONA members to attend the conference is $399. Early bird registration lasts until Sept. 8. After September 8, the fee will be $449 for ONA members. Fees at all times for non-ONA members are $549. Click here for more information on all fees, including students and those who only wish to attend the ONA awards banquet.

The Capitol Hilton is offering those wishing to attend the conference a rate of $186 a night. This offer is only in effect until Sept. 8. After that regular rates are in effect, which vary from room to room and night to night. You can register at the Capitol Hilton here or call (202) 393-1000. If you call, please tell the registration desk you are with the ONA conference in order to get the special rate.

The ONA is very pleased to announce that we will also be offering four workshops prior to this year's conference. We will have our regular ONA training workshop, but the ONA will also be working with J-Lab, ASNE and American University to run three other events in conjunction with the conference.

The four workshops are:
1) J-Lab's Citizens Media Summit II, in conjunction with the ONA held at the Capitol Hilton.

2) Digitizing the Print Newsroom: An ASNE-ONA seminar held on the campus of USA TODAY in McLean, Va.

3) College educators summit on convergence, at USA TODAY in the morning; at American University in the afternoon.

4) and Crafting multimedia content: A hands-on ONA workshop at a site to be determined.

You can find information on all four workshops, including costs and how to register, here. information on all four workshops, including costs and how to register, here.

Over the next few weeks, you will be able to find more information on conference planning at our conference blog.