Phoenix Chapter will host 2013 PRSA Western District Conference in Scottsdale

The Kimpton FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona

The Phoenix Chapter is hosting the 2013 PRSA Western District Conference, which will take place April 18-20 at the Kimpton FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The conference offers communications professionals at every level, both PRSA members and non-members, interactive roundtable discussions, informative workshop sessions and numerous networking and social opportunities.

Co-chaired by longtime Phoenix public relations professionals Abbie S. Fink and Michelle Olson, APR, the conference features nationally recognized keynote speakers, including:

• Watts Wacker, celebrated futurist, FirstMatter CEO and 2006 Time Magazine "Person of the Year"
• Steve Cody and Clayton Fletcher, founders of the Peppercomm Comedy Experience
• Mickey Nall, APR, Fellow PRSA, chair and CEO of PRSA

Breakout and roundtable sessions will include presentations, demonstrations and discussions led by local, regional and national communications leaders and will focus on the areas of social media, communications strategy, crisis communications, information technology, community relations, diversity, design, workplace culture, creativity, continuing education and much more.

"The Phoenix Chapter is thrilled to be the host of this valuable professional development conference," said Olson, president of Olson Communications. "We're bringing together some nationally recognized keynote speakers and great educational sessions; we know our participants will leave the conference with valuable information and some new ideas."

Early bird registration for the event, available through February 15, starts at $210 for PRSA members and $250 for non-members. After February 15, registration starts at $235 for PRSA members and $275 for non-members. Student rates, starting at $99, are also available.

Registration rates are inclusive of all conference presentations, collateral material, welcome reception and most meals. A special rate at the FireSky Resort & Spa is also available. Sponsorships for the event are still available and start at $1,500.

For additional event, sponsorship or session information, or to register, visit the conference website.

For regular event updates, follow and like the PRSA Western District Conference on Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome our 2013 Executive Board and Chapter Representatives

Where did 2012 go? And, more importantly, where did January go? We're already into February, and our 2013 PRSA Western District Executive Board and Chapter Representatives have been hard at work planning for all the great activities and offerings that the Western District will provide to our member chapters this year.

Welcome to our fearless leaders for 2013, our Executive Board -

• Chair:  Julie Smith-Taylor, APR, San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter 
• Immediate Past Chair:  Kristen Bonilla, APR, Hawaii Chapter
• Chair-Elect:  Katie Coates Ageson, APR, Orange County Chapter
• Treasurer:  Amy Bouchard, APR, Las Vegas Valley Chapter
• Secretary:  Dawn Doty, APR, Colorado Chapter

Our chapter representatives serve a critical role as liaisons between the 10 chapters that comprise the PRSA Western District and our executive board. The 2013 Western District chapter representatives include -

• Colorado:  Sydney Ayers
• Hawaii:  Duke Gonzales, APR
• Inland Empire (California):  Nicole Dailey
• Las Vegas Valley:  Jennifer Schurict, APR
• Los Angeles:  Dennis Kaiser
• Orange County:  Katie Coates Ageson, APR
• Phoenix:  Paula Pedene, APR
• Pikes Peak:  John Leavitt
• San Diego/Imperial Counties:  Sara Wacker, APR
• Southern Arizona (Tucson):  Jan Howard

Stay tuned for much more to come from the Western District this year!

Kicking off 2012 with the Western District Conference

It's hard to believe it's May already. The PRSA Western District kicked the year off with a bang this year, hosting our annual Western District Conference in early March.

I use the fact that the conference was held nearly a month earlier than usual and that we were all focused on pulling off an unforgettable event as my excuses for woefully neglecting our Western District blog (a recap and photos from this year's exciting conference is coming soon).

That changes now as I promise to keep this blog regularly updated with all the great things we have to brag about from our fantastic chapters in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii and Nevada. I may be slightly biased, but the Western District is definitely the best PRSA District around.

Not only do we have 10 successful member chapters, but we have a dedicated Board of Directors that is committed to providing the support our chapters need to succeed. It's been a pleasure so far working with all of them, especially our 2012 officers:

• Past Chair: Lisa Cutter, Colorado Chapter
• Chair-Elect: Julie Smith-Taylor, APR, San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter
• Treasurer: Keri Funkhouser, Pikes Peak Chapter
• Secretary: Katie Coates Ageson, APR, Orange County Chapter

I thank them all for their support and for joining me on this wild ride. It's my honor to represent the Hawaii chapter and to serve as this year's Western District Chair.

Stay tuned for more as we'll share all the highlights of the year from around the Western District right here!

Aloha,
Kristen Bonilla, APR
2012 PRSA Western District Chair