Apply for a limited spot on LION’s 2026 Summit Host Committee

We’re looking for independent news publishers and supporters in or near San Diego to join our 2026 Independent News Sustainability Summit Host Committee – a new-to-us idea we’re excited to bring to life as we plan our best event yet.

As announced at the 2025 Summit in St. Louis, the 2026 Summit will take place from September 9-11 in San Diego, CA. Host Committee members will help LION design an engaging attendee experience, focusing on conference details specific to San Diego.

The primary goal of this group is to provide LION with a local perspective and to assist with light-lift tasks that require local knowledge and/or connections.

So whether you’re a San Diego native, a transplant, or just someone who knows a lot about the city, we encourage you to apply! Selected participants will receive a free Summit ticket (valued at $350), along with recognition during the event and on the Summit website.

Applications are now open until November 17 at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll down to discover more about this opportunity, including the meeting cadence and eligibility criteria. 

How often will the Host Committee meet?

We’ll meet with Host Committee members once a month for thirty minutes via Zoom, starting in November 2025 and continuing through September 2026.

What will be covered during Host Committee meetings?

During these meetings, we’ll review and share updates on key tasks and deliverables.

What are those key tasks and deliverables? What responsibilities will the committee have?

Here’s what we’d like Host Committee members to help us with:

• Recommending after-hours and off-site activities that highlight the city’s unique cultural offerings.
  • Deliverable: At least two unique recommendations per participant, with bullet points explaining why each activity is worth exploring.

• Sourcing and visiting potential venues, and giving feedback and details to the LION team as needed.
  • Deliverable: Will be handled on a case-by-case basis, involving recommending and traveling to local venues (restaurants, multi-use meeting spaces) to relay essential details back to the LION team, such as event space location, flow, decor, vibe, amenities, proximity to hotel, accessibility, and more.

• Helping the LION team create a detailed travel guide to share with registrants and prospective attendees, which can be repurposed on-site and in Whova.
  • Deliverable: In addition to recommending after-hours and off-site activities, we’ll request general travel information (e.g., transportation to and from the airport, public transportation options, and ride-share services within the city).

• Identifying local newsrooms, funders, fellow journalism support organizations, consultants, and others who could be good candidates for attending or supporting the conference.
  • Deliverable: At least five unique recommendations per participant, with contact information provided to the LION team for outreach.

• Assisting LION in connecting with a local educational institution that can provide volunteers for the event, preferably one with a journalism program.
  • Deliverable: If applicable, share contact details and facilitate an introduction between the educational institution and LION. 

• Serving as part of the welcoming committee during on-site registration and actively participating in local recommendation threads on the Whova Community Boards.
  • Deliverable: Availability for both activities during the conference.

Am I eligible to apply?

You’re a great fit if you…

• Live in or near San Diego (within a 30-minute drive) 
• Are available for 30-minute meetings each month from now until September 2026
• Are passionate about the independent news industry and supporting local news publishers
• Love sharing details about your city (San Diego) and are excited that we’re hosting our conference there
• Want to connect with other local news publishers and supporters

You do not need to be a LION member to apply. 

How many people will you accept?

We aim to have a total of five committee volunteers. Meetings will include those members, as well as LION’s director of development and marketing manager.

Is this a paid opportunity?

No, but participants will get a free Summit ticket ($350 value), plus special recognition during the event and on the Summit website.

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

Feel free to contact Shelly Hunter, LION’s director of development, at shellyhunter@lionpublishers.com.