Brigham Young University presented "Let the Conferencing Continue – Even After National Conference is Over" for their Chapter Development Session at the PRSSA 2012 National Conference in San Francisco. This is an online version of the presentation.
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Let the Conferencing Continue!
Brigham Young University PRSSA Chapter
Jared Gay, Alyssa Call, Amy Harrison
2. How did YOU get to National Conference?
Did you receive financial help?
Catch a ride?
Come because of your leadership position?
What if the reason you got to National Conference went away?
This is the reality for many PRSSA members, they cannot make it to National
Conference and enjoy the experience here.
BUT – they can attend a REGIONAL CONFERENCE!
Help your members find the value in attending a Regional
Conference!
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BYU PRSSA - Regional Conference
Check out this short video highlighting just some of
the things that make going to Regional Conference
so special
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Top Five - WHY to Attend a
Regional Conference
1. PR Skills
2. Networking (Professional and Peer)
3. Professional Advice
4. Industry Information
5. PR High
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WHY - PR Skills
Media Pitching
Public Speaking
Research
Social Media
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WHY - Professional Advice
“Get a job.”
-Mickey Nall, Director of
Communications for Ogilvy
“Find a way to differentiate
yourself in the field.”
-Adam Denison, GM
“Make connections with your
peers. They’ll be your biggest
allies in the professional world.” -
Dave Allred, CR England Trucking
“You have to love news.”
-Tom Goodman, Goodman Media
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WHY - Industry Information
Crisis Challenge – Students work on responses to a mock
crisis situation in groups with several twists as the crisis
developed. Crisis communications expert, Chris Thomas, then
addressed students.
Get creative & practice your skills!
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WHY - PR High
Get excited about YOUR career!
Share your experience
Find your niche
Bounce ideas off other PR students and leaders
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Top Five – HOW to Prepare for
Regional Conference
1. Build Excitement
2. Communicate
3. Register
4. Get a Room – Find a Place to Stay
5. Prepare to Network
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PREPARE – Build Excitement
Social media
Share your
experience
Build YOUR chapter
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PREPARE - Communicate
Connect on social media
Ask the host chapter
questions
Get involved before you
arrive
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PREPARE - Register
Be aware of
registration deadlines
Get online to register
Know what is included
in your registration
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PREPARE – Get a Room – Find a
Place to Stay
Ask the host chapter
Stay close to the conference
location
Know where main streets are in
case you get lost
Find restaurants ahead of time
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PREPARE - Networking
Create personal business cards
Prepare your “elevator” pitch
Don’t take too much of their time
Send a follow-up email
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Interested in Hosting?
Contact
the National vice president of Regional
Conferences – click here for contact info.
Submit a bid form by the deadline.
Bid Form Includes:
Logistics
Theme
Professionals
Schedule
Budget
Promotions
PRSSA National Resources (Regional Conferences handbook)
To illustrate the top five whys of attending regional conferences, I am going to use specific examples from our experience at our conference. Many of the examples overlap in what they provide, but that is one of the great things about regional conferences--every event contributes to the learning and professional development process.From speakers such as Michael Smart, who is also presenting at this conference, we learned a practical method of effective pitching. Through the other speakers at our break out sessions we gained public speaking, research and social media skills. We got small, applicable instructions that we could apply right away regardless of our previous experience.
What is networking??Much of the networking at regional conferences can occur during the meals. We had a catered lunch and business dinner as a part of our conference which gave PRSSA members a chance to network with each other and professionals in both a casual and more formal setting. Peers: These individuals will be your future colleagues. Help each other find jobs/internships.Professionals: Job/Internship and Future
Much of the professional advice PRSSA members received came from the keynote speakers at the regional conference. Some of the advice was specific about handling specific situations, other advice was general. We received humorous advice and some that was very serious and practical.
4. Industry Information (Crisis Challenge)a. Learni. Crisis Communications-Chris Thomasii. Corporateiii. Researchiv. Non-profitv. Social Media
PR High (Last day-gives you the springboard)a. Everyone is so excitedb. Bounce ideas off of each otherc. Share experiences
Mention that it takes a group of 5 students to plan and a minimum of 20 students to pull of the conference during the conference.