Just in time for the 2009 entry season, we invite you on Saturday, March 21st, to join your media colleagues from the Chicago/Midwest and Mid-America (St. Louis) chapters and find out just what it takes to win an EMMY®.  A panel of EMMY® award winning producers, directors and videographers will share tips, insights and know-how. Deadline to register:  Wednesday, March 18, 2009!

Ok, so there are no guarantees when entering, but you can gain insights into how to best showcase your work and tips on entering in the most appropriate category. We'll show clips of winning entries and there will be discussions, critiques, and Q&A. It's a great opportunity to learn from each other.

So join us for this lunch and learn seminar in Peoria:

•   Saturday, March 21, 2009
•   11:00 am - 2:00 pm
•   David C. Horowitz Auditorium, Bradley University, 834 N. Duryea, Peoria, IL

David C. Horowitz Auditorium is located on the first floor of the Caterpillar Global Communication Center on the campus of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

Bradley University is located just off Exit 91 on U.S. Highway 74. That is University Avenue. Follow University south to the campus entrance, just across Main Street. Parking on campus on Saturday is free in any available space. There is a visitors lot just across from the auditorium, and ample parking one block west across from the visitor's center.

SPEAKERS will include:

• Diana Borri, Emmy Rules Committee/Former President, Chicago/Midwest Chapter and Retired NBC 5 Chicago    Executive
• Steve Chamraz, Investigative Reporter (multiple EMMY award winner from St. Louis and Kansas City markets, he is now free lancing in Chicago)
• Bob Jacobs, WEEK Producer/Bradley Professor, EMMY winner
• Jim Kirchherr, KETC Producer/Writer, EMMY winner
• David Mathas, NBC 5 Chicago Editor, EMMY winner
• Wade Smith, KTVI Videographer, multiple EMMY winner
• Chris Williams, Quad Cities Reporter, St. Louis Board Member, EMMY Nominated

Click here to read more about the speakers and their backgrounds.  The file is a PDF.

Admission is free for NATAS Members and students.  $10 for non-members. Lunch will be provided at no cost.

RSVPs are required.  Please email Rebekah at the Chicago/Midwest chapter at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or call 312-369-8600 or email Maggie at the Mid-America (St. Louis) chapter at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or call 314-647-3669.

Chicago/Midwest Emmy Entries are due on June 12, 2009. Mid-America Emmy entries are due April 30, 2009.

The online entry process for the Chicago/Midwest chapter is not live yet.  It should be online by the mid-March.

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Did you know that the Chicago/Midwest Chapter covers the following markets?

•   Peoria/Bloomington, Illinois
•   Rockford, Illinois
•   Chicago, Illinois
•   Wausau/Rhinelander, Wisconsin
•   Madison, Wisconsin
•   Green Bay/Appleton, Wisconsin
•   Milwaukee, Wisconsin
•   South Bend/Elkhart, Indiana

Are there discounts for smaller markets to enter?

YES! Entry fees are tiered according to market size. Those markets with DMAs of 50 and above receive significant discounts. For Green Bay/Appleton, Madison, and SouthBend/Elkhart, entry fees range from $80 to $150. For Peoria/Bloomington, Rockford,and Wausau/Rhinelander, entry fees range from $65 to $130. This is in comparison to the $95 to $210 prices for Milwaukee and Chicago.

I'm from a small station. Do I have a chance of receiving an Emmy even though I am competing against the large Chicago market?

YES! Entries are judged against a standard of excellence and do not compete against each other. It is not a horserace competition. In any given category, there can be no winner, one winner or more than one winner. Over the years, many entries have won from smaller markets.