Vice President Joe Biden will appear at the 37th annual National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) Convention & Career Fair this Wednesday in New Orleans. On the first day of the five-day event, Biden will address over 2,500 journalists and media executives expected to attend this year.

A host of notable leaders have spoken at past NABJ conventions, including then-Sen. Barack Obama, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Rumors circulated as to whether or not the President would skip this year's convention in place of a multicultural conference focused on issues important to the Latino community.

Change will be the focus of the 2012 convention, with an emphasis on the digital age and disruptions in the media industry. The official theme is "#NABJ12: New Platforms. New Directions. New Orleans." Items on the convention's agenda include the upcoming 2012 presidential election, the media's coverage of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, and the Supreme Court challenge to the federal health care law. An array of professional development sessions, workshops and panels will also be held throughout the convention.