San Francisco Press Club

Manny’s talk: Protecting Bay Area journalism during Trump 2.0
2025-04-16 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Manny’s, 3092 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103, United States
Join the San Francisco Press Club on April 16th for a crucial discussion about the challenges and future of independent Bay Area journalism amid President Donald Trump’s second term.
KQED VP of News Ethan Toven-Lindsey will moderate an exploration of the mounting challenges facing Bay Area newsrooms amid industry consolidation, economic pressures and unprecedented political scrutiny.
Panelists include Demian Bulwa, director of news at the San Francisco Chronicle; Marisa Lagos, political correspondent for KQED co-host of the “Political Breakdown” podcast; and Tom Burke, an veteran attorney with the firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP who specializes in free speech and open government cases.
Panelists will examine strategies for preserving independent local reporting and government access while continuing to serve diverse communities with essential journalism in one of America’s most complex media markets.
When: Wednesday, April 16, 6-7 p.m.
Where: Manny’s in the Mission, 309216th Street San Francisco (one block from 16th/Mission BART station). Come early for drinks and mingling with fellow Bay Area journalists, comms pros and like minds.
RSVP: Event is open to the general public, please register today to reserve your seats: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/protecting-bay-area-journalism-during-trump-20-tickets-1296368917329
Cost: $15 (50% of proceeds will benefit the Press Club’s scholarship fund for emerging journalists). Anyone with financial hardship can request a free ticket.

Pleasanton Mixer
2025-03-25 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Oyo Resaturant Pleasanton, 680 Main St, Pleasanton, CA, 94566, United States
The San Francisco Press Club invites journalists, media professionals, and community leaders to a special networking mixer featuring East Bay mayors. Join us for an evening of conversation, collaboration, and community building at Oyo Restaurant in Pleasanton on Tuesday, March 25, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Located at 680 Main St., Pleasanton, CA 94566, Oyo offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, complemented by a selection of delicious wines from Wood Family Vineyards in Livermore. This event provides a unique opportunity to engage with local leaders while enjoying the flavors of the region.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow media professionals and key decision-makers in the East Bay.
Space is limited to a maximum of 50 for this exclusive event! Please RSVP to secure your spot.

Winter gala & awards ceremony
2024-12-04 17:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Julia Morgan Ballroom, 465 California Street, San Francisco, CA, United States
The San Francisco Press Club is now selling tickets for its 47th awards gala after breaking a record in award entries. This year, the Press Club received 798 entries, surpassing last year’s total of 540. This is now the fourth year in a row the SF Press Club has broken its previous record.
“To celebrate this milestone, we’re hosting our award show at one of the most glamorous locations in San Francisco: the Julia Morgan Ballroom,” said Curtis Sparrer, president of the San Francisco Press Club. “We’re going all out with dedicated waiters, gourmet food, and stunning city views. We’re looking forward to impressing our members with speakers who break news and make headlines.”
The awards gala will occur on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at The Julia Morgan Ballroom. Cocktail service will begin at 5:30 p.m., and dinner and awards will commence at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets will cost $200 at the door, but The San Francisco Press Club is now selling them for $65 for current members, $75 for working journalists, $50 for students (with valid ID), and $150 for non-journalist allies. Full tables for groups up to ten can be purchased online, too. Last year’s gala sold out quickly. Purchase your tickets today.
“Please buy your tickets early,” said Sparrer. “Last year’s sales burst through all expectations, and this year, we only have 300 seats available!”

Journalist Happy Hour
2024-05-30 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | El Rio, 3158 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
Greetings everyone! It’s been a while. It always is.
We are hosting a Journalist Happy Hour at El Rio on May 30th 5:30pm till late.
To attend please RSVP using this link.
Thanks to Joe Eskenazi for co-hosting.
See you May 30th. Can’t come soon enough!

2023 Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards Gala
2023-12-13 17:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Elk’s Lodge #3, 450 Post St, San Francisco, CA, 94102, United States
The awards gala takes place on Wednesday, December 13th at Elk’s Lodge #3, 450 Post St. San Francisco.
Cocktail service begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and awards commencing at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets will be $125 per person at the door, but The San Francisco Press Club is now selling them for $75. Please use the code ADVANCE to receive the early bird pricing. Buy your tickets now!

SF Press Club presents: “AI + Journalism = ?”
2023-04-25 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
The San Francisco Press Club today announced its panel discussion about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the newsroom April 25 in Mountain View. Bloomberg reporter Rachel Metz will moderate the panel.
Microsoft Bay Area Regional Site Leader and VP/GM of PowerPoint Shawn Villaron will host the event at Microsoft’s Silicon Valley campus. Steve Clayton, Microsoft VP of Public Affairs, will join the panel alongside veteran Bay Area journalists for an engaging conversation on how AI is changing the way news is covered and written.
“I’m honored to be speaking with Bay Area journalists because we are entering an exciting new world where a massive platform shift towards artificial intelligence is taking place,” said Clayton. “Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and now we are adding the incredible potential of AI to that purpose.”
Panelists include:
Steve Clayton, Microsoft, VP of Public Affairs
Michael Nunez, VentureBeat, Editorial Director
Jon Swartz, MarketWatch, Senior Reporter
Julie Jammot, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Tech Correspondent
Boone Ashworth, Wired, Staff Writer
Benjamin Pimentel, SF Examiner, Senior Technology Reporter
Panelist Jon Swartz, senior reporter with MarketWatch, explained that the classic hype cycle vs. trust debate is at play here. “All new technology fosters a fair amount of skepticism and fear. Eventually, we find both harmful and beneficial results. AI is a tool, not a replacement. And there will be a rollercoaster for at least six months.”
“Bing and ChatGPT put AI at the center of nearly every conversation we’re having in the newsroom,” said Curtis Sparrer, president of the SF Press club and a principal of Bospar PR. “This is the best opportunity to hear from top journalists, the people who matter most about this important discussion.”
“Artificial intelligence is not a threat to journalism or storytelling,” said Michael Nunez, Editorial Director of VentureBeat. “It is a catalyst. It is a way to amplify our imagination and express our vision. It is a way to collaborate with machines and create something new and amazing.”
“Newsrooms are divided between those who fear generative AI and those who already embrace it,” said Julie Jammot, tech reporter for AFP. “But it’s now a question of how and when, not whether, media organizations incorporate the technology into their production. As for journalists, the challenging times ahead will hopefully unleash a flight to quality, not some Darwinian mass extinction.”
“I’ve been covering tech for more than 20 years,” said Benjamin Pimentel, Senior Technology Reporter for the SF Examiner. “The new AI frenzy unleashed after ChatGPT’s launch in November is probably the most exciting story I’ve ever covered.”
Date and Time:
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm PDT
Location:
Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus
1045 La Avenida St., Mountain View, CA 94043
La Portage Theater (near the visitors’ entrance; parking available)
Agenda:
4:30-5:00 pm arrival and networking
5:00-6:30 pm panel discussion
6:30- 7:00 pm refreshments
Cost:
While tickets cost $20, there is no fee for SF Press Club members or journalists covering this event for a story. Tickets must be acquired in advance at this link.

SF PRESS CLUB 2022 JOURNALISM AWARDS SHOW
2022-12-08 17:30 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Francisco Airport Bayfront Hilton 600 Airport Blvd., Burlingame, CA 94010, 600 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA, 94010, United States
JOURNALIST AND POLITICAL INSIDER PHIL MATIER TO HEADLINE SF PRESS CLUB AWARDS SHOW
Legendary Bay Area Journalist joins in-person awards show December 8
SAN FRANCISCO – October 27, 2022
The San Francisco Press Club recently announced that Phil Matier will headline the organization’s first in-person awards show since the COVID-19 pandemic. The popular Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards will be presented at the San Francisco Airport Bayfront Hilton at 5:30 p.m. on December 8. Secure your tickets: available now for $75.00 or $100.00 at the door.
Matier, who describes himself as a “Bay Area political insider and journalist,” has been featured in The San Francisco Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as on KRON-TV, ABC-7 and KCBS radio.
“The San Francisco Bay Area is a crucible for journalists,” said Matier. “The Bay Area was ground zero for counterculture, computers, the Internet and social media. The journalists breaking these stories are better equipped than anyone in the industry to report on where we’re heading next as a society. I’m looking forward to honoring my colleagues while predicting what’s next for the Bay Area.”
“Phil Matier headlining the San Francisco Press Club’s Awards Show demonstrates how important this event is to the Bay Area and to journalism at large,” said Curtis Sparrer, president of the San Francisco Press Club and Bospar PR. “As an executive producer at KRON-TV, I was often awestruck by Phil’s insights, wit and predictions. Journalists like Phil are protecting our democracy during an era of fake news and disinformation.”
The San Francisco Press Club drew an all-time record of 424 entries across a wide range of categories, eclipsing last year’s previous high of 333 entries. Entries come from four divisions: daily newspapers, digital media, non-daily newspapers, magazines/trade publications. Groupings within the divisions include news and news photography, public relations, radio/podcast, television/video and college media. Within those groupings are a wide range of categories covering hard news, features, investigations and design. Judges for the contest hail from press clubs from around the country.
Advance tickets are on sale now for $75.00. Purchase your tickets now. Tickets will also be available for $100 per person at the door.
Cocktail service will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and awards commencing at 6:30 p.m.
The address for the San Francisco Airport Bayfront Hilton is 600 Airport Blvd., Burlingame, CA 94010.
ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO PRESS CLUB
The San Francisco Press Club is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status. It was founded in 1963 to provide a forum for the interchange of idea and opinions between professionals in the various news and public relations media, to provide an organization in which to share fellowship, to promote professional competence and knowledge, to encourage students entering journalism by offering scholarships, and to increase public knowledge of the media though workshops and other exchanges of information.
Contact: Curtis Sparrer, curtis@bospar.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

MEET THE PRESS CLUB: FREE MIXER FOR BAY AREA JOURNALISTS
2022-04-28 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | The Ramp Restaurant, 855 Terry A Francois Blvd, San Francisco, CA, United States
“Another was that curious institution called the newspaper bar. Every big city with a big paper had at least one: It was a combination social club and psychologist’s office where newspaper people met to discuss life, to argue, to plot against their editors.” – Carl Nolte, The San Francisco Chronicle, March 5, 2022
Whether you’re a veteran journalist yearning to mingle again or a young star eager to introduce yourself to the industry, you’re invited to our ink-stained gathering on April 28. The newly revitalized and rapidly growing San Francisco Press Club will host a free mixer at The Ramp, a restaurant and bar on the water’s edge of the San Francisco Bay.
The renewed mission of the SFPC is to encourage excellence in journalism by providing training, grants, internships and recognition for professionals in Northern California. As always, we will continue our popular Greater Bay Area Awards program, now entering its 45th year. Visit us at sfpressclub.org
This is your chance to join in that effort as well as to connect with others who believe in the First Amendment, integrity and the essential role of journalism in democracy.
Oh, and there’s live music. The Irish Newsboys will provide “rowdy folk music peppered with a bit of San Francisco-style rock,” as described by the Media Museum. The band features a collection of newspaper types, such as Kevin Fagan, a San Francisco Chronicle reporter who plays a mean guitar, and Steve Rubenstein, a legendary former Chronicle columnist.
PLEASE NOTE: PLEASE RSVP / REGISTER FOR THE EVENT IN ADVANCE. VALID REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THE MIXER.
Who’s invited: Writers, editors, photographers, PR specialists and students aspiring to join the journalism community.
When: April 28, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: The Ramp Restaurant, 855 Terry A Francois Blvd. San Francisco
Tickets: Space is limited. Please Register.
SF Press Club membership: sfpressclub.org/join
