How to Join AAN Publishers or Register for Its Events

AAN Publishers (aan.org) is a membership organization representing nearly 120 local, independent newsmedia organizations across North America. To join, use the membership call-to-action on the homepage ("Join us today"); to attend events, register through the specific event announcement — for example, "Register Now for CaliforniAAN 2026!" is currently promoted on the site. Awards submissions have their own separate entry point. The site does not publish membership pricing or eligibility criteria in the available material, so confirm those details directly with AAN before applying.

Joining AAN Publishers

The homepage positions membership as a resource for local publishers: "AAN is a critical resource for local publishers across North America. Join us today." That line is the entry point for membership interest.

What the site says membership supports, in AAN's own framing:

• Growing your organization and brand — "AAN helps you grow your local news organization and your brand"
• Telling your story — "AAN tells your story"
• Leadership development — "AAN helps you grow as a leader"
• Peer learning and mutual aid — a member quoted on the site (Krystal Knapp, The Jersey Vindicator) describes it as "my favorite news membership organization because of all the peer-based learning, support, and mutual aid… led by people who understand our challenges, because they have been publishers themselves."

What to check before applying

The available site material does not state dues, membership tiers, or formal eligibility rules. Before submitting anything, verify with AAN directly:

1. Whether your outlet qualifies (the organization describes its members as local, independent newsmedia organizations).
2. Current dues and what they include.
3. Whether membership is per-organization or per-person.

Registering for Events

AAN promotes events through dated announcements on its homepage. The current example is CaliforniAAN 2026, with a "Register Now" call to action. The site also runs a recurring Cover Show series, listed with weekly date ranges (for example, October 12–16, 2026 and October 5–9, 2026).

To register:

1. Go to aan.org and find the event announcement in the homepage banners or "Latest News" section.
2. Follow the "Register Now" link in that announcement.
3. Complete the registration form for that specific event.

Because each event has its own announcement, registration links and deadlines live on the individual event pages rather than in one central calendar.

AAN Awards Submissions

Awards are handled separately from event registration. The homepage carries the prompt "2025 AAN Awards Are Open for Submissions >>" and news of "Announcing Winners and Placement for 2026 AAN Awards." Publishers participate by following the submissions link during the open window; results are announced later on the site.

Programs Worth Knowing About

Beyond events and awards, AAN runs a Tech Stack Checklist Program. Site news notes that "12 Additional AAN Publishers Enter Tech Stack Checklist Program" and that AAN "Launches First 2026 Cohort of the Tech Stack Checklist Program." If you are evaluating membership, this program is one concrete benefit to ask about.

Quick Reference

For anything not stated on the site — dues, eligibility, deadlines — contact AAN directly rather than assuming terms.