Curious how to gain access to the White House briefing room without having to go through all that pesky escort service stuff? Well, an alert reader tipped us off to a panel this evening that should help you out.

“How to be a White House Reporter” is sponsored by the National Press Club‘s Young Members Committee, and will let you in on all the dirty reporter secrets, such as what a “hard pass” is, the proper way to cover an administration, and how you too can muscle your way up the ranks to rub shoulders with Scott McClellan in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.

Panelists include Ron Hutcheson, president of Knight Ridder; CNN’s Dana Bash; and White House reporter Rick Dunham of BusinessWeek. The event, located at 14th and F St. NW, starts at 7 p.m. and is open to the public, but space is limited. Call 202-662-7501 to reserve a seat. And if you go, make sure to let DCist in on any gems revealed – one blogger’s already made it to the briefing room, but why should it stop there?