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You have been confirmed to cover the “White House Conference on Aging” on Monday, July 13th, at the White House. Please be sure to note the times you must be on site for access below (in red), and bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, as well as your press credential with you for access. All press will enter the White House complex via the northwest gate, located on Pennsylvania Avenue.
I have been to DC and the White House at least a dozen times, even once to the Easter Egg Roll with my youngest son Ryland. But when you receive a professional invitation--it becomes a different animal. |
You can check out my blog on Alzheimer's Disease: The Brand for the content from the meeting but I figure my writer colleagues might be interested in actual logistics. Being frustrated about denied access to the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) although I submitted proper credentials, I inquired about media access to the White House Conference on Aging (WHCOA). I am guessing that AAIC didn't love the media clips I submitted about dubious monotherapy solutions for a complicated complex genetic-environmental clinical syndrome. Regardless, they state "AAIC press registration and press badges are available only to credentialed journalists from recognized external print, broadcast, syndicated or online news organizations." I submitted the National Association of Science Writers (NASW) membership (required), Association of Healthcare Journalists (AHCJ) credential, AND the online news organization (100,000 hits a month) but was denied after weeks of waiting and a curt if not rude response to my query.
Coincidentally my request to attend WHCOA was handled promptly with a professional reply and a promise to follow-up once they had designated criteria for press. True to her word I was notified Friday afternoon so had to scramble to get to DC for the morning meeting but I guess that's just life in the big leagues.
Coincidentally my request to attend WHCOA was handled promptly with a professional reply and a promise to follow-up once they had designated criteria for press. True to her word I was notified Friday afternoon so had to scramble to get to DC for the morning meeting but I guess that's just life in the big leagues.
I walked to the White House from my hotel on Dupont Circle curious if they would allow an umbrella through the gates. Perhaps I have watched more than my share of Batman/Penguin kerfuffles but it wasn't a problem. When you are confirmed, security checks are completed beforehand so when I showed up on the press list, I was issued a badge and escorted to the press room.
The press room looks exactly as it appears on television only unremarkably smaller. There are press folks like me, just there for the day, and then the more territorial White House Press. You can tell if you are sitting in someone's preferred seat by the flinty glances and frenetic pacing. Every news organization you have ever heard of has a small desk in the press office along narrow halls and small niches. At the end of the little cafe hall (small espresso machine, coffee maker, fridge for staff) you find a small narrow table (filled with large personalities and zero elbow room), and two vending machines. As an escapee from medical meetings, it was an abrupt realization that lunch or even beverages ended at the smudged glass of a snack machine. I figured that getting into the White House might be at least the same as entering a plane so only smuggled a bag of almonds onto the grounds.
The press room looks exactly as it appears on television only unremarkably smaller. There are press folks like me, just there for the day, and then the more territorial White House Press. You can tell if you are sitting in someone's preferred seat by the flinty glances and frenetic pacing. Every news organization you have ever heard of has a small desk in the press office along narrow halls and small niches. At the end of the little cafe hall (small espresso machine, coffee maker, fridge for staff) you find a small narrow table (filled with large personalities and zero elbow room), and two vending machines. As an escapee from medical meetings, it was an abrupt realization that lunch or even beverages ended at the smudged glass of a snack machine. I figured that getting into the White House might be at least the same as entering a plane so only smuggled a bag of almonds onto the grounds.
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There is a lot of waiting even if you are there for a specific event. Everything is scheduled--timing for pre-set (when they are setting up the room) and "final gather" for where the press meet to be escorted to the event. The ordinary routine for staff oblivious to the heavily armed secret service and guards milling about with dogs adds a tinge of chaos--a wave of a hand indicates where we are supposed to be and then they are gone.
If you know me personally you know I can't let a perfectly good opportunity for a photo pass by so I decided to snap a photo a la Josh Earnest, the current press secretary. I regret not capturing the set up of the audio-visual professionals at the far-end of the press room. He must be blind when he is up at the podium from all the photographers. |
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My friend Kevin joked that I was providing updates on No Martini Left Behind!
What an opportunity for networking and meeting other writers/reporters. I never imagined the possibilities once I committed to freelance and only work I feel passionately about. |
The East Room is, well, Presidential. Military in dress uniform escort dignitaries and special guests. Everyone was excited to be there. You know the president is on his way when an entourage of special press march up to the front of room--en masse.
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The highlight of the morning was the presidential address. Once a decade the president of the United States hosts WHCOA. He noted that this year was of particular interest because he has been aging in dog years (laughter)!
If you are remotely interested in health policy and advances made in access, quality, and treatment with dignity you can access the WHCOA conference page or tune in to my Alzheimer's blog tomorrow morning. If you don't want to miss out sign up for the newsletter. |
Sitting next to my favorite NPR reporter. Watching a true professional coordinate audio and content was inspiring. It is never too late to get butterflies again about your work.
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The second half of the day we were escorted to the Eisenhower building. It is massive and visible publically from the other side. I had never viewed it from this angle with the West Wing and White House to my back.
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Roaming around looking for bathrooms...Everything is so grand and elegant. I imagine you get used to it day in and day out but what a special day. Talk about networking. We chatted about my book on Alzheimer's Disease and without any effort or fancy dancing I am going to be on a radio show and guest post for a variety of outlets.
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Scroll down on the right if you want to see the final agenda for the meeting.
If you are curious about becoming a freelance writer yourself, send me a note or buy my book! I share a few insights and ideas that might provide you with ideas or a clear path to pursue what you love!
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