Personal Invite to the 2012 PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Conference

Greetings!

I’d like to personally invite you to this conference on Thursday November 8 at the BWI Four Points Sheraton. You really should come. Why? Because!

(1) You need to keep your skills sharp – Learn the latest in PR/Communication’s best practices from other DC, MD, VA pros!

(2) You love to get the inside scoop on hot industry trends and techniques!

(3) You miss catching up with colleagues you haven’t seen in awhile – Don’t miss our Happy Hour Networking Event afterwards…enjoy cocktails, see what your colleagues have been up to, make new contacts!

NEW for this year, choose from three different tracks: (1) Social Media (2) Business/Leadership (3) PR Essentials. Mix and match. No matter what career level you are in, there is something for everyone at this conference!

And, just FYI, tickets are selling pretty fast this year because we’ve got such a great lineup of speakers and topics. Don’t let someone else take your spot! Space is limited.

Register Now: http://www.prsamd.org/news/events2012/nov12-program.htm

See you there!

Nneka Jenkins
2012 Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference
Planning Committee Chair

Missed the PRSA International Conference? No Worries—Another Conference Awaits!

by Jackie Allder, Chessie Planning Committee

So, did you make it to the PRSA International Conference last week?  I would loved to have attended this year’s event in San Francisco, but my schedule didn’t work out (and I’m not sure my budget could’ve handled the cross-country trip either).  Although PRSA’s International Conference is over, there’s still a chance to hear tips, tricks, and PR’s best practices from pros in the industry this year. 

On November 8, the Maryland Chapter is partnering with several other Mid-Atlantic District chapters (National Capital Chapter, Central Pennsylvania Chapter, Central Chesapeake Chapter, and the Blue Ridge Chapter) to host the Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference (also known as Chessie). 

New for this year’s conference is three tracks to choose from — Strategic Business and Leadership, PR Essentials, and Social Media — and more than a dozen local members are presenting on everything from creating a strategic communications plan to networking effectively.

For example, you can join Barbara Haupt and Elissa Leif of MiniMatters for a discussion about the wild world of web videos, or find out how to manage the client/agency relationship with Robert Udowitz and Steve Drake of RFP Associates.

You’ll  also hear from members Rachel DiCaro Metscher, Erica Pierson, Sabrina Kidwai, Margie Newman, Veronica Brown, Amy Lestition, Rebecca Andersen, APR, Dana Vickers Shelley, and Tiffany Thomas Smith, among many others. 

Additionally, #Chessie12 features keynote speaker Amy S. Mitchell from the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. And because this year’s event is sponsored by chapters around the region, it’s a great opportunity to network with PRSA peers you might not see that often, especially during the post-conference happy hour. 

So #Chessie12 has a dozen sessions, an awesome keynote speaker, and a networking happy hour.  It’s local (hosted at the Four Points Sheraton BWI in Baltimore, MD) and costs less than $200 to attend if you’re a PRSA member and you register by November 1.  

Don’t let this one pass you by…visit http://www.prsamd.org/news/events2012/nov12.htm, download the program, and register today!

4 Reasons to Register for the 2012 PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference Today!

Wanna know why you should register now for the PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake (#Chessie12) Conference?

4. Clear Your Schedule!

By registering early, you can block the day out on your calendar, eliminating the possibility that one of your colleagues will schedule an important meeting with you that day.

3. Get a Jumpstart on Your Networking!

Research the presenters and keynote speaker in advance so you know who you want to meet at the conference.  Gotta capitalize on that investment!

2. Formulate Your Plan of Attack!

Read over the agenda and figure out which sessions you’d like to attend.  You can choose to participate in all the sessions in one of the three tracks (PR Essentials, Social Media, and Strategic Business/Leadership) or mix and match from the 12 seminars.  Make sure to mark your calendar to arrive early at the conference for the networking breakfast and stay for the happy hour as well!

1. Save Some $$$ (and guarantee your spot)!

That’s right — the No. 1 reason to sign up today is to take advantage of the early bird discount and save, save, save!  Also, don’t let anyone take your spot because space is limited!

Are You Ready for the PRevolution?

Just 6 weeks until the 2012 Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference!

Wow…what a mouthful to say. But that’s what’s in store for you this year. A FULL day of education created especially to help you Strategize, Digitize and Energize!

So what will the day look like? You’ll start off with a networking breakfast to get you geared up.  Then you’ll head right into the day, choosing from a variety of topics based on what you told us you wanted to see: more business and leadership skills, more PR tools, and more social media trends. What’s more, we’ve organized the sessions into three tracks—Strategic Business and Leadership, PR Essentials, Social Media—to help you create the best experience. You can stay on one track throughout the day, or alternate between tracks. It’s all up to you!

So what else is happening? Well, this year’s luncheon keynote speaker is Amy S. Mitchell, Deputy Director for the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. Mitchell will share an insightful look at news in our digital lives. Be sure to check out Center’s 2012 State of the Media Report before the conference.

So who will be there? Last year’s conference was sponsored by three chapters—Maryland, National Capital, and Central Chesapeake—bringing together PR pros from a wider area than ever before. We’re all still participating, and this year we’re excited to welcome two more chapters to the fold: Blue Ridge and Central Pennsylvania. This means there will be PR pros coming from Maryland, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania!

So don’t delay! The conference is scheduled for Thursday November 8, 2012 at the Four Points by Sheraton BWI. Click here for more information, including a peek at the full agenda, and begin planning your day!

Are you ready?

A special thanks to our sponsors to date:

Premier Sponsor: Vocus

Premier Patron: Erickson Living

Patron: a. Bright idea

Event Photographer:  Stockfield Photography

A Great 2011 for PRSA-MD

So what did PRSA-MD do in 2011?

• In the first part of the year, we brought you five seminars on everything from customer-centric marketing tips to creating a social media strategy. Other topics included integrating social media and marketing, how to produce effective webinars, and how to make the most of LinkedIn. We thank the University of Baltimore’s School of Communications Design, our event co-sponsor, for providing us with the space to present these programs.
• On June 14, we celebrated the 50^th year of the Best In Maryland Awards at the beautiful 1840’s Ballroom. This year, we added new categories and streamlined others making the competition tougher—and more interesting—than ever. The room erupted when the Best In Show was presented to Catholic Relief Services for its entry, “The Haiti Earthquake: Catholic Relief Services Responds to a Major Disaster.” (Go to 2011 PRSA MD Best In Maryland a resounding success! for a recap of the evening.)
• On September 29, at the invitation of PRSA-MD member Dan Dunne of Erickson Living, we were treated to a full-day of learning at the Resources & Tools for Public Affairs Success seminar. The day included two exciting panels looking at the role of social media in crisis communication and today’s newsroom, as well as hands-on workshops on Twitter and LinkedIn. We also heard from the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism on the State of News Media. The event was held at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore.
• On November 3, we joined with the National Capital and Central Chesapeake chapters to present the all-new Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Conference – The New Face of PR: strategizing connectivity, innovation, and integration. More than 125 pros from Maryland, DC and Virginia came together for the first time to hear from experts on topics such as social/digital media, integration, professional development, and measurements/ROI. Response was phenomenal with many asking “why had it taken so long for the chapters to come together?” The conference was held at the Four Points by Sheraton BWI.
• Finally, we began the year with a PR Pros Happy Hour on January 27 at Meli Patisserie and Bistro, and ended the year with a packed Holiday Happy Hour on December 8 at RA Sushi Baltimore. Both networking events gave new and seasoned PR professionals a chance to mingle and toast each other’s accomplishments in a fun, relaxing environment.

On behalf of the PRSA-MD Board of Directors, we wish you a safe and happy holiday!

We look forward seeing you in 2012. 

There’s a First Time for Everything

For the first time (in recent history or that anyone can recall), the PRSA Maryland, National Capital, and Central Chesapeake Chapters have teamed up to put on a regional conference!  After a bit of a rough (and late!) start, we finally got the 2011 PRSA Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Conference Planning Committee going.  

Representatives from all three chapters have worked tirelessly all year to brainstorm session topics, locate relevant speakers, find sponsorships, develop conference collateral, and then promote the darned thing!  All the while, we have had great fun forming relationships, networking, gaining valuable experience, and bonding in an energetic, collegial environment. 

It has been a really wonderful time working with all three chapters.  We’re looking forward to enjoying the conference next week!

There’s still time to register for this year’s conference.  Go to http://www.prsamd.org/news/events2011/nov11program.htm.  Seating is limited and tickets are going fast, so hurry!  

And we’re going to keep building on this momentum.  If you would like to get in on this synergistic, collaborative effort to plan next year’s conference, please don’t hesitate to e-mail Peggy at phoffman@marinermanagement.com.

Integrate a “Smarter” Strategy into Your Campaign

According to Affinity Research, 42 percent of all adults own a smartphone, and 15 percent (or more than 34 million consumers) plan to purchase one in the next six months.  Of both sexes, slightly more men own these devices than women (54 percent versus 46 percent). 

“Millenials are the most likely generation to own these types of mobile devices – 28 percent are more likely to own a smartphone than the average American adult. 

• 54 percent – or more than 25 million Millennials – currently own a smartphone, and 18 percent plan to purchase one within the next six months.

• 63 percent of Millennials use their smartphones at work, while 95 percent report that they are the sole users of the device. 

• Millennials who have graduated college are 23 percent more likely to own a smartphone than others in their generation.” 

Smartphones are definitely the wave of the future.  More and more, consumers are using them to access the latest news, social media, shop, and take advantage of mobile marketing deals. 

Valerie Lambert of Bilou Enterprises will share her insights into the latest information and statistics with smartphone technology at the upcoming PRSA Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Conference.  Join her on Nov. 3 at the Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport as she engages session participants with real-time interaction to demonstrate the variety of ways PR pros can utilize smartphone technology.

2011 PRSA Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Conference Keynote: Yolanda Caraway, President/CEO of The Caraway Group

With a career in public affairs, strategic communications, and political management spanning 25 years, President and CEO Yolanda Caraway has a proven track record of excellence that has made the agency a success.  

The Caraway Group has worked with major clients like Microsoft Corp., MGM MIRAGE, Bristol Myers Squibb, MCI, Mitsubishi, and Texaco.  As one of the nation’s top political strategists, Yolanda’s extensive work for the Democratic National Committee and with major political campaigns has produced relationships with elite influencers and decision makers.  Through these associations she has counseled government and nonprofit agencies such as the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Center for American Progress, NATO 50th Anniversary Summit, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Foundation Project.

 Our theme for this year is The New Face of PR: Strategizing Connectivity, Innovation, and Integration.  Ms. Caraway will address how the industry is managing the ever-changing landscape of social media and what that means for communications professionals.

It’s All About Strategizing Connectivity, Innovation, and Integration…

This year’s theme is The New Face of PR: Strategizing Connectivity, Innovation, and Integration.  We chose this theme because, with the advent of social media over the last several years, PR has changed a lot.  We are no longer concentrating on media relations and producing press kits and press releases.  There is a whole other world out there! 

Engagement with online communities is the key.  Rather than burying their heads in the sand and hoping it’s just a phase, the most successful PR pros have fully embraced this new way of communicating and have found new and interesting ways to integrate these mediums into their campaigns to achieve spectacular results. 

If you’re still not sold on the importance of integrating social media, just look at these quick facts:

• 78% of consumers conduct product research online
• 41% of B2B companies have acquired a customer through Facebook
• Social sites are the #1 source for product information
• 91% of e-mail users have opted out of company lists they previously subscribed to
• 2/3 of the country is on the “Do NOT Call” list

— Integrating Social Media into Your Marketing Mix by Michael Brenner Sr. Director, Integrating Marketing SAP

Many of our session topics support the theme of integrating the traditional forms of media with the new forms of media in innovative ways.  Join us on Nov. 3 at the BWI Four Points Sheraton for this awesome regional conference!  Register now at prsamd.org!   Follow the conversation using hashtag #Chessie11.

Be a part of the 34th Annual Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake (Chessie) Conference —literally!

This year, our theme is The New Face of PR: strategizing connectivity, innovation, and integration. 

This year’s event will include sessions that talk about how to strategize, innovate, and integrate social media tools to create a successful communications program that leverages the connectivity of social and traditional media. 

Help us create the image of the new face of PR!  Send us your social media profile photos (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, et al) to info@prsamd.org, and we will include them in a beautiful mosaic that will be on our “save the date” postcard as well as all other conference materials. 

How exciting would it be to pick out your profile photo in PRSA-MD conference materials?  Which one do you choose — Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook?  It’s your choice, but don’t delay — make sure you’re a part of the event!  Send your profile pic to info@prsamd.org by Friday May 27. 

Speakers: if you’d like to present on these topics (i.e. measurement, integration, the 24/7 news cycle, strategic planning, and more) at Chessie, we’d love to hear from you.  Send your profile pic and your RFP to info@prsamd.org by Friday May 27! 

Still to come: more exciting information about this year’s conference.  Stay tuned!