Letter to the Editor

2016 MCMA conference a success

We are writing to express our sincere gratitude personally and on behalf of the Department of Mass Media and Missouri College Media Association for everything you and your employees did to make the 2016 MCMA conference a success. We especially appreciate your willingness to be the sole host of the reception at Katy O'Ferrell's, as well as your personal outreach to the Associated Press on our behalf.

We have received a lot of praise for hosting one of the best-organized and most informative and worthwhile state conferences in recent memory, and your contributions made that possible. Here are just a couple of the comments we have received:

"You guys did a fantastic job. The first adviser I ran into when I got there Saturday morning said, 'These guys should write a handbook on how to put on a conference.'" -- Jack Dimond, MPA liaison and Missouri State University professor

"The Friday evening program was fantastic. The rustmedia enterprise is particularly impressive and shows the potential for employment in media in Missouri. The receptions were very nice and tours a great idea. Saturday's sessions were very well organized and thought through for the best scheduling for students. I know it's a lot of work to put on this caliber of conference, and your work is not overlooked!" -- Latonia Bailey, Crowder College adviser

Although established curricula and experiential learning are important for mass communication majors, so is the opportunity to get input from media professionals. You gave that opportunity not only to our students, but also those from across the state. You played many roles during this conference: sponsor, tour guide, panelist, presenter, adviser. Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Jay Forness, 2015-2016 MCMA president

Tamara Zellars Buck, 2015-2016 MCMA adviser