Enthusiasm, energy and electricity will greet you when you come to Austin this October for the 88th Annual National College Media Convention — the largest gathering of student journalists and advisers in the world. And if you venture a few blocks from the convention to take a peek under the Congress Avenue Bridge, you'll see another large gathering: the world's largest population of urban bats — 1.5 million of ’em.

ACP, CMA and CBI have prepared nearly 400 practical and professional learning sessions, from high-profile keynotes to specific, problem-solving breakouts, hands-on workshops and discussion groups — all to fuel your energy, enthusiasm and electricity. Other convention activities include an exhibit hall with vendors who sell to student media, ACP's Best of Show contest, receptions, awards convocations, critiques and a newspaper job fair.

Breakout sessions for newspapers, online outlets, broadcast stations, yearbooks and magazines are planned to meet the publishing and broadcasting needs of all college and university student media. Some are specifically for college dailies, some for journalists at community colleges and private schools. Others are for those who are looking for the latest information from the FCC affecting their campus radio station. Whether it's ethics and law, technology and design, advertising and business operations, photography and art or just the basics of news writing and reporting, this convention covers all the bases.

With typical attendance of more than 2,300 delegates, the annual ACP, CMA and CBI fall gathering has become the place to seek solutions to the most challenging publishing and broadcasting problems, share success stories, see what's new in the media marketplace, discover trends and network with students and advisers from the United States, Canada and often other countries.

Keep the energy going outside the convention. We'll be meeting just a few blocks from the legendary Sixth Street entertainment district. And of special note for Saturday night of the convention: Austin knows how to throw a Halloween Party, so pack a costume and get decked out.