We’ll post the 2020 Conference schedule when it is available. This is the 2019 page.
Immediately following the Writer’s Workshop on Thursday July 18th, conference check-in begins at 3:00 PM, stop by the hallway on the second-floor conference center and get acquainted with some of the other members and attendees. You’ll get your conference packet, as well as your special invitation to the evening get together. Enjoy snacks, refreshments, and a cash bar while you introduce yourself, if you’re a first-time attendee, or to catch up with old friends if you’ve attended before. Join your fellow attendees from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM.
The conference then begins in earnest the next morning (Friday, July 19th). Starting at 9:00 AM and concluding around 5:30 PM, you’ll be entertained the entire day. Lunch is included all three days, and the food is fabulous. Each panel explores topics of interest in both the field of public safety and writing. Additionally, both Friday and Saturday have special presentations given by engaging, professionals speaking on topics of interest. In the past, these presentations have dealt with such things as crime scene processing, terrorist attacks, undercover police operations, and various aspects of writing. The PSWA bookstore is also open during this time, displaying the books of the attendees and presenters. The friendly staff does the selling… All you have to do is autograph them.
Quick-Reference Program
All events take place on the second floor of the Conference area. From your hotel room, pass the casino floor and cashier banks, jump on the escalator or elevator, arrive at the 2nd floor, turn right at the Business Center desk and keep going until you hear the voices of PSWA.
Registration is in the hallway outside the meeting rooms, and we usually have one room all our own, and a second nearby room for lunches. Hotels sometimes make last minute changes, but you’ll be able to find us on the 2nd floor of the Conference area, don’t worry!
| Day & Time | Description | Speakers, Instructors |
| Thursday, July 18 | ||
| 9am – 3pm | Pre-conference Workshop | Instructors: Mike Black, Marilyn Meredith, Mysti Berry |
| 3pm – 6pm | Registration: Pick up your bag and badge! | Board members welcome all attendees |
| 6pm – 9pm | Welcome Reception; Snacks, conversation, no-host bar | Everyone! |
| Friday, July 19 | ||
| 8:30 am – 9:00 am | Registration, drop off books, grab a cup of coffee, catch up w/friends | See Mysti if you have any questions about the bookstore. |
| 9:00 – 9:30 | President’s Welcome | Michelle Perin Callahan, President PSWA Master of Ceremonies, John Schembra, VP PSWA |
| 9:30 – 10:15 | Pursuit/Emergency Response Driving | Featured Speaker John Schembra Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | The Truth is Out There…Or Is It? Panel #1 |
Marilyn Meredith, David Knop, J.L. Greger, Camille Minichino Moderator: Mysti Berry Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 11:30 – 12:15 | The Short and Long of It—All About Anthologies Panel #2 |
Joseph Badal, Mike Brandt, Sarah Cortez, Barbara Hodges, Kathy McIntosh Moderator: Mike Black Timekeeper: John Schembra |
| 12:15 – 1:15 | LUNCH | |
| 1:15 – 2:00 | The Dramatic Question | Featured Speaker Mysti Berry Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 2:15 – 3:00 | Media Promotion and Press Releases Panel #3 |
Marilyn Meredith, Jim Guigli, Austin Camacho, Catherine McGreevy, MaryLou Anderson Moderator: Mike Brandt Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 3:15 – 4:00 | Tough Guys and PIs Panel #4 |
Mike Brandt, Joe Badal, Jim Hasse, Danny Smith, Joe Haggerty Moderator: Pete Klismet Timekeeper Mike Black |
| 4:15 – 4:45 | Telling You Where to Go Panel #5 |
Michelle Perin Callahan, Thonie Hevron, Vanessa Rutledge Moderator: John Schembra Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 4:45 – 5:00 | Book Signings and 1:1 | Everyone! |
| 5:00 – 6:00 PM | CLOSED REHEARSAL | If you aren’t in the radio play, you can make dinner plans or head for The Strip. |
| Saturday, July 20 | ||
| 9:00 am – 9:15 am | Welcome Back & Housekeeping | Master of Ceremonies: John Schembra Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 9:15 – 10:00 | SWAT Concepts for the Patrol Officer Featured Speaker #3 |
Featured Speaker: Dave Freedland Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 10:15 – 11:00 | Publisher’s Corner Panel #6 |
Austin Camacho, Denise Camacho, Geno Munari, Jo Wilkins, Rick Ollerman Moderator: Michelle Perin Callahan Timekeeper: John Schembra |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | Meet and Greet Publishers and Authors | Everyone |
| 11:45 – 1:00 | LUNCH | |
| 1:00 – 1:45 | The Battle Between Showing and Telling Featured Speaker #4 |
Featured Speaker: Michael A. Black Timekeeper: John Schembra |
| 2:00 – 2:45 | The Author and Editor Relationship Panel #7 |
Sarah Cortez, Jo Wilkins, Barbara Hodges, Susan Tuttle, Rick Ollerman Moderator: Austin Camacho Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 3:00 – 3:45 | Writing Historicals Panel #8 |
Ann Parker, Bill Rapp, John Schembra, Catherine McGreevy, Bob Haig Moderator: Marilyn Meredith Timekeeper Mike Black |
| 4:00 – 4:45 | Writing Action Scenes Panel #9 |
Bill Rapp, Dave Freedland, Gloria Casale, Jim Hasse, James L’Etoile, Jim Guigli Moderator: Michael A Black Timekeeper: John Schembra |
| 5:00 – 5:45 | Old time Radio Play: The Adventures of the Smoking Informant | Director: Michael A Black Cast: to be announced Special Effects: Tim Dees |
| 5:45 – 6:00 | Book Signing | Everyone |
| Sunday, July 21 | ||
| 9:00 am – 9:15 am | Greetings | Master of Ceremonies John Schembra |
| 9:15 – 10:00 | Gathering the Evidence Panel #10 |
Gloria Casale, J. L. Greger, Bob Calkins, Scott Decker, Danny Smith Moderator: Thonie Hevron Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 10:15 – 11:00 | Keeping Order and Preventing Discord Panel #11 |
Dave Freedman, James L’Etoile, Ron Corbin, Bob Calkins, Joe Haggerty Moderator: Pete Klismet Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| 11:15 – Noon | Perfecting Your Writing Panel #12 |
Susan Tuttle, Camille Minichino, Ann Parker, Kathy McIntosh, MaryLou Anderson Moderator: Thonie Hevron Timekeeper: Mike Black |
| Noon – 12:15 | FINAL BOOK SALES | Pick up your unsold books after the awards ceremony |
| 12:15 PM | Luncheon and Awards Ceremony | Host: Michelle Perin Callahan |