Meet Joshua Funk.
Josh works at the National Press Club as the director of business development and head of everything cool. We hear he gets to hang out with amazing celebs and journo titans. Josh graciously gave us some of his time in between all that awesomeness for an inside scoop on the National Press Club.
1. How long have you been working at the National Press Club and what is the best thing about your job?
I have been at the National Press Club since July of 2004, and during that time I worked mostly in operations. Three years ago, I was named the Director of Business Development that oversees the sales and marketing (including social media) as well as the event operations. The best thing about being at the National Press Club is that I have the opportunity to watch news as it’s happening – seeing the entire speech or context rather than a sound bite or quote. In addition to that, I get to be entrenched in the industry I love – Hospitality.
2. The NPC is a historical icon in DC, but what makes it relevant today? Is it going through its own changes with all the revolutions in the journalism industry?
What makes the Club relevant today is the same thing it made it relevant 50 years ago. We host newsmakers from around the globe providing platform that allows them to convey their message to Washington’s key media audience. In addition, we are a venue that supports the craft of journalism both practically through the events hosted by the Club and our clients and intellectually through training and development in new technologies. The media landscape is changing for how journalists cover and how the public receives their information. While many have opinions on where the industry is going, we feel it is our duty to help Sheppard the conversation through events here at the Club allowing those opinions to be expressed so through that conversation we may all come to realize a new era in journalism.
3. Did you get to meet Alec Baldwin when he was at NPC in April? Did he just tweet throughout his entire talk?
I did. He didn’t but I did. He actually spoke about his Words with Friends incident on American Airlines to start the program to “set the record straight”. He came as a part of our National Press Club Luncheon program that started back in 1932 with Franklin D. Roosevelt. Today we have heads of state, movie stars, politicians, and other newsmakers that visit our famous podium to make their own news.
Insiders tip, the majority of these Luncheons are open to the public. With the $35 admission, you get a 3-course lunch and entrance into the event. A few years ago, Billy Joel came and answered all his questions through song for the 300 attendees – where else can you get that for $35? You can also follow the luncheons on twitter at #NPCLunch.
4. What brought you to DC? As a Penn State alum, we know it wasn’t the sports.
As for many of us current Washingtonians, it was a job. I must say that I feel lucky to be in such a growing, culturally diverse city at a job that I love. I can’t believe how much this city has changed in just the short time. It is becoming a food paradise, not something I envisioned when I arrived.
I also met my fiancée down here as well, so I guess I was supposed to live here.
5. One of your favorite things is trying new restaurants in DC, so if it’s Thursday dinner and drinks, what are your top three suggestions?
Other than the National Press Club of course – I guess it all depends on what mood I’m in but here are a few favorites:
Quill at the Jefferson Hotel – this place has tremendous service and cocktails (best gin martinis ever), plus their food is wonderful. If you go on Fridays, they have a live piano player – Awesome.
Hill Country – great live music scene and always a great, down to earth crowd. Something about beer, barbeque, and live music that puts you in a great mood.
Any rooftop in DC – There is something to be said having a beverage while watching the sun go down. It seems every new place now has a rooftop or a view – One I’ve just heard about but not yet been is Teatro Goldini.