Poynter's Bowtie Ball (2026)

Details EVENT DATE: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 LOCATION: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Downtown Tampa SPECIAL GUEST: Scott Pelley, formerly of CBS News and recipient of the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism TICKETS: Sponsorships on sale now. General admission tickets on sale September 8. Sponsor the 2026 Bowtie Ball now Sponsoring the Bowtie Ball is more than supporting a premier event -- it's an opportunity to align your brand with a powerful mission and connect with an influential audience that shares a commitment to journalism, truth and democracy. As a sponsor, you'll gain high-impact branding opportunities, meaningful visibility among leaders in media and civic life and the chance to stand alongside those shaping the future of journalism. 📥 View our sponsorship kit to explore all opportunities. We invite you or your business to become a sponsor of this year's gala. As a sponsor, you will receive priority seating and will be recognized in all Bowtie Ball promotions and on the big screen that night. Your sponsorship provides critical funding to support Poynter's work in service to journalism and democracy. Contact Wendy Wallace via email: [email protected], or call 727-337-7446 for additional information. About the Bowtie Ball The Poynter Institute's annual Bowtie Ball showcases the most accomplished, dazzling and lively personalities in journalism as we gather in Tampa Bay for one electric celebration. It's our way of saying thank you. Your generosity fortifies journalism's role in a free society. Poynter champions freedom of expression, civil dialogue, and compelling journalism where citizens can participate in healthy societies. Since the Bowtie Ball debuted in 2015, Poynter has welcomed thousands of guests who support the free press to don their favorite formal attire -- bow ties encouraged -- for dinner, conversation and toasts with Pulitzer Prize winners, best-selling authors, and media personalities from the nation's most beloved and revered newsrooms. Our guests enjoy an immersive experience and access to internationally acclaimed journalists. They leave with insight into the powerful behind-the-scenes stories about the events that have shaped our world. The party will start in the grand ballroom with a gourmet, three-course dinner, complete with a premium open bar. Every seat is the best in the house when you're surrounded by local and national journalists and emerging media voices. The Bowtie Ball culminates with a special recognition program celebrating exceptional contributions to the public good and the future of a free press. Together, guests will honor the individuals and ideals that keep communities informed, strengthen civic life and reflect journalism's enduring impact on society. Proceeds from this dynamic event will power Poynter's mission to improve, strengthen, and sustain quality journalism in newsrooms worldwide. 2026 Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Recipient: Scott Pelley Scott Pelley (Michele Crowe/CBS News) The Poynter Institute is proud to announce that 2026's recipient of the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism will be broadcast journalist and former 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley. For more than five decades, Pelley has distinguished himself as one of America's most respected journalists, earning acclaim for his fearless reporting, unwavering commitment to the truth and thoughtful storytelling. During more than three decades at CBS News, he covered the White House, reported from the front lines of wars around the world, anchored the CBS Evening News and spent more than 20 years as a correspondent for 60 Minutes. Most recently, Pelley publicly defended the editorial independence of 60 Minutes and was fired by CBS News, underscoring the courage and integrity that have long defined his career. About the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Each year, Poynter presents its medal to an accomplished journalist whose contributions to the news media have inspired and informed people around the world. The medal was created to celebrate journalism and the legacy of Nelson Poynter, the former owner and editor of the St. Petersburg Times -- now the Tampa Bay Times -- who founded what was then called the Modern Media Institute for the professional development of journalists 50 years ago. Upon his death, in an exceptional act of vision and philanthropy, Mr. Poynter bequeathed ownership of the newspaper to the school to ensure the independence of his beloved local paper. Today, the Poynter Institute, a world-renowned nonprofit for journalistic excellence; named in honor of its founder after his death, still owns the Times. Poynter trains tens of thousands of journalists, newsrooms, educators, and students around the globe in person and online each year. Clients include CBS, NBC, Univision, ESPN, NPR, The Associated Press, McClatchy and TEGNA newsrooms, and numerous local TV stations, community newspapers, and digital news sites. Poynter also operates three fact-checking enterprises: the Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact, the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), and the social-first digital media literacy initiativeMediaWise. In addition, Poynter is the home of The Newmark Ethics Center at Poynter, a resource for journalists and citizens to navigate today's complex media landscape. 2026 Distinguished Service to Journalism Award Recipient: Steven R. Swartz, Hearst Steven R. Swartz, president and CEO of Hearst (Photo courtesy of Hearst) Steven R. Swartz is president and chief executive officer of Hearst, one of the nation's largest global, diversified information, services and media companies. Since taking the helm in 2013, he has grown the company into one of the country's largest and most respected local news providers, serving communities with 35 TV stations, 30 daily newspapers and 50 community weeklies. Hearst's interests include financial services leader Fitch Group; Hearst Health, a group of medical information and services businesses; Hearst Transportation, which includes CAMP Systems International, a major provider of software-as-a-service solutions for managing maintenance of jets and helicopters; ownership in cable television networks such as A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime and ESPN; and more than 200 magazines around the world. Swartz is a member of the Hearst board of directors, a trustee of the Hearst Family Trust and a director of the Hearst Foundations. Questions? We'd love to hear from you. Please send your inquiries to [email protected]. Unable to join us but want to support journalism? Please make a donation in lieu of attendance today at poynter.org/give. The Poynter Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to improve journalism in service to democracy. Proceeds from this fundraising event will power Poynter's efforts to stoke civil connection and thoughtful expression between journalists and the communities they serve. The EIN for the organization is 99-0731998.