The conference theme is "Fast Forward," and it meshes with a packed program that features media thought-leaders and digital innovators. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be welcoming attendees, and the conference will quickly evolve into a powerful program on leading change.

Leadership (Monday), innovation and creativity (Tuesday) and values (Wednesday) 

are among the conference's key themes. The highlights:
 

• Kickoff session: Tom Rosenstiel, executive director of the American Press Institute, and Amy Webb, CEO of WebbMedia Group, will highlight the latest trends involving news audiences and emerging technology. 

• Engaging and growing audiences sessions: Two concurrent sessions will be held Tuesday afternoon. Session A will invite Kainaz Amaria, a multimedia producer at NPR, to talk about interactive storytelling. Session B will cover creating and managing news partnerships. 

• Women at the top discussion (Wednesday morning): Come hear the views of women who know firsthand whether newsrooms are doing enough to prepare women for leadership positions and support them once they get there. Featuring: Debra Adams Simmons of Advance Local, Kathleen Carroll of The Associated Press, Kathleen Davis of Fast Company and Aminda Marques Gonzalez of the Miami Herald. 

• First Amendment luncheon (Wednesday closure): James Risen of The New York Times will deliver a short keynote address, followed by a panel discussion of how state and national news organizations are fighting efforts to curb press freedoms.  

There's more, from your chance to see news innovators pitch for your vote to luncheons that honor the top journalism efforts of the past year. Plus, you'll have a chance to hoist a few with friends, participate in the live and silent auctions featuring a variety of items,  and take an evening cruise on the Mystic Blue.

The conference will start at 1:30 p.m. CDT Monday, Sept. 15, and conclude at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17. A free, two-session "Climate Change and the News" seminar will be offered by the Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Register by Aug. 25. 

Registration to attend the conference: It's only $250 for members of ASNE and APME, $350 for nonmembers. ASNE members, register here. APME members can go to apme.com for details.

Hotel reservation: Book your room at the Hyatt Regency as soon as possible. There is only a limited number of rooms left.