Don't Miss the PRSA Leadership Rally

If you are a chapter president-elect, don't forget to reserve your spot for this year's PRSA Leadership Rally June 4-5, 2010 in New York City.

PRSA National provides a $550 stipend for each chapter to send one representative. Check with your chapter treasurer, as some chapters offer additional funds to send the next generation of leadership to learn how to make their chapters and districts even better.

I've had the opportunity to attend the rally as the Las Vegas Valley Chapter's president-elect and then last year as chair-elect of the Western District. The resources, learning and networking were a tremendous help during my tenure as a chapter and district leader.

And it's June in New York. How can you beat that?

For more information, touch base with Candice Bellittera, PRSA's Chapter/District Relationship Coordinator.

Silver Anvil Deadline is Fri., Feb. 26

Time is running out! The 2010 Silver Anvil Final Deadline is this Friday, February 26. It’s not too late to enter your best work for a chance to win a Silver Anvil, the icon of the public relations profession. Don’t miss this opportunity to demonstrate your excellence and be recognized among your peers — not to mention your potential clients.

Visit www.prsa.org/awards by this Friday, February 26 to enter. Don’t delay!

• Increase your odds of winning by preparing an entry that demands attention. Be sure to access:
• The video of PRSA’s “Anvil Thinking: The Route to Award-winning Work” Workshop.
• Winning Silver Anvil case studies.
• Detailed category descriptions.
• Tips for preparing your entries.
• Entry guidelines and checklist.
• The Anvil FAQ.

Don't Miss the Early Bird Deadline for WDC 2010!

PRSA WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
April 28-30, 2010 Palm Springs, CA – EARLY BIRD DEADLINE MARCH 1!

“An Oasis of Opportunities” awaits you at the 2010 PRSA Western District Conference.

Keynote speaker Mark Weiner, CEO of PRIME Research and author of “Unleashing the Power of PR” is sure to provide valuable insights to help you navigate your organization through today’s real-time media landscape.

In addition, a full-line up of speakers and terrific workshops will offer insights and new ideas on:

• Mastering Web Video Strategy for PR



• Strategic Social Communications



• Community Marketing



• Crisis Communications



• 10 Ways Social Media will Change in 2010



• Social Media Ethics and Policy



• Content Marketing for Public Relations Professionals



• Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement in PR
  
  

You won’t want to miss the opportunity to meet West Coast media contacts from major networks, magazines and blogs – as well as network with industry professionals from throughout a five-state region.

The conference will be held at the Riviera Resort and Spa April 28-30, 2010. A special hotel rate of $169 per night is available through March 28, 2010. (Promo Code: Public Relations Society of America)

Early-bird conference registration is available through March 1, 2010.
$185.00 Member Conference Admission - early

$225.00 Non-Member Conference Admission - early

$255.00 Non-Member Conference Admission - after March 1, 2010

$225.00 Member Conference Admission - after March 1, 2010

This year’s conference is sponsored by the California Inland Empire Chapter, one of the ten Western District Chapters.
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(Thanks to Western District Treasurer, Chris Chesrown for putting together this great promotional message.)

Welcome Imperial County!

Congratulations to the newly renamed San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of PRSA on their acquisition and name change and welcome to the newly affiliated members.

Here's the release from the chapter:

PRSA San Diego Chapter Expands to Include Imperial County

Due to tremendous interest and participation by the community of public relations practitioners in Imperial County in pursuing the highest professional standards, the San Diego Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has successfully petitioned to extend the boundaries of its jurisdiction to include Imperial County.

The chapter will now be known as the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the PRSA, effective February 1, 2010.

“PRSA San Diego has worked very hard over the last six months to formally incorporate Imperial County into our chapter boundaries,” said Sara E. Wacker, APR, chapter president. “The members and prospective members in Imperial County have long awaited the opportunity to be associated with a local chapter. I’m very pleased that we will be able to extend our reach and make local membership available in the Valley. These individuals have much enthusiasm and creative ideas to continue to help our chapter and the local industry mature.”

Individual public relations practitioners in Imperial County have been active PRSA members for many years without a local Chapter to provide ongoing career development, networking, and accreditation programs, or recognition through participation in awards competition. Three individuals in El Centro are currently Accredited in Public Relations, and several individuals have received Bernays Awards for professional excellence.

“The extension of this chapter into Imperial County is a measure of the growth in the professional practice of public relations that we are experiencing in the Valley,” said Bill Gay, APR, Media and Community Relations Director of Imperial Valley College. “Several months ago, we began an informal organization of local practitioners to foster continued professional education. Members of PRSA San Diego have been very helpful in this endeavor.”

Gay has been added to the Chapter Board of Directors as its Imperial County membership representative. He has been an active participant in Chapter activities for several years, including a leadership role in the Accreditation program.

The San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of PRSA is the only organization in San Diego/Imperial Counties that is solely dedicated to meeting the professional needs of the public relations professional. As an individual membership society, the benefits of membership in PRSA are designed for, and delivered to individuals. Many resources are included in membership dues, and some are available at a reduced member fee.

It should thaw by then, really.

PRSA is looking for presenters for this year's International Conference. Yes, the capital city is under a blanket of snow right now, but barring a true ice age, they should be out of the freeze by October.

If you're interested in strutting your stuff, um, I mean sharing your knowledge with fellow PR professionals, be sure to submit your proposals to the conference organizers by Feb. 23, 2010 (please note the deadline changed due to the inclement weather back east).

Also, be advised that the early bird rate for the International Conference expires on March 1. Save yourself $200 (if you're a PRSA member) and get your registration in.

Yes, I realize the conference hotel, nor even the keynotes have been announced. Yes, it may seem like you're being asked to board a plane without knowing it's destination. But keep in mind the longstanding tradition of outstanding speakers and incredible venues of years past. Chances are, it'll be a great show that you won't want to miss. So, why spend $200 more than you need to?

Chapter Visit News: Sunny San Diego

This week, I had the pleasure of tagging a chapter visit onto a regularly scheduled business trip to San Diego. Chapter President, Sara Wacker, APR gathered a group of leaders from her Board around a breakfast table at MaryJane's in the Gaslamp district (where everything on the menu is fattening and gloriously delicious) where we talked about the news, successes and challenges for their chapter.

If your chapter planning an anniversary celebration or commemoration, be sure to touch base with these folks. They had an outstanding outreach campaign that's kept them out on the local speaking circuit months after the anniversary year has ended.

Like many chapters in the District, San Diego is losing members, largely due to the economic downturn. However, they'r enot waiting for an upswing to make things better. They've worked to incoporate PRSA members from the neighboring Imperial County into their chapter. I'll let Sara tell you more about the effort in her own upcoming post).

Thanks so much to Mary Schmidt-Krebs, APR, April Bolduc, Kim Edwards, Bey-Ling Sha, APR and Sara for their hospitality and dedication to PRSA's members in San Diego. Many of them will be joining us in April for the Western District Conference. So, be sure to keep an eye out and meet them.