I wrote this column while waiting at Delta gate B5 in Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. I was on my way home to Atlanta, having spent four wonderful days in downtown Cleveland for the annual NABJ convention. Part family reunion, part networking event, NABJ is a must-do for me, both personally and professionally. Another must-do every time I travel to another city is grabbing the local newspaper. The Sunday Cleveland Plain-Dealer was available at one of the airport stores, and I made sure to get a copy to read while I waited for my flight to board.
On page A4 in the news section was a story on the NABJ convention, its headline focused on this year’s convention having fewer sponsors than the Chicago convention in 2024. Along with nearly three dozen fewer corporate sponsors, something