The Pikes Peak PRSA Chapter Annual Workshop REcharge, REfocus, REengage is scheduled for Thursday, October 27, 2022 at the Tesla Professional Development Center in Colorado Springs.
It's time to get back into the swing of things during our annual workshop for PR Pros. Throughout the workshop you'll have a chance to REcharge your PR skills, REfocus your career and REengage by networking with others in the field.
It's time to get back into the swing of things during our annual workshop for PR Pros. Throughout the workshop you'll have a chance to REcharge your PR skills, REfocus your career and REengage by networking with others in the field.
Who: Pikes Peak PRSA Chapter
What: Annual Workshop - REcharge, REfocus, REengage
When: Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Tesla Professional Development Center, 2560 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Why: A day full of professional development to improve your PR skills, learn new tips & tricks, hear from industry leaders, and more.
Cost: $75 for PRSA members; $100 for non-members; and $30 for students. Lunch and refreshments included. Click here to register.
APR Points: Those Accredited in Public Relations (APR) will receive 2 points toward accreditation renewal for continuing education and professional development.
What: Annual Workshop - REcharge, REfocus, REengage
When: Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Tesla Professional Development Center, 2560 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Why: A day full of professional development to improve your PR skills, learn new tips & tricks, hear from industry leaders, and more.
Cost: $75 for PRSA members; $100 for non-members; and $30 for students. Lunch and refreshments included. Click here to register.
APR Points: Those Accredited in Public Relations (APR) will receive 2 points toward accreditation renewal for continuing education and professional development.
SCHEDULE: (subject to change)
8:30 A.M. – NETWORKING – COFFEE/PASTRIES
8:45 A.M. – Chair Yoga
Loretta Lewis, CYT
Loretta has been practicing Yoga for more than 10 years, and her passions led her to become a teacher for the past three years. She teaches classes at Pikes Peak Regional Library, has videos on YouTube through the Library Channel, and teaches locally three times per week. She focuses on the breath and tapping into our vital Life Force keeping us flexible, strong and healthy.
9:00 A.M. – Market Research. What it is and how to use it.
Chris Valentine, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communication, UCCS and Dr. Katie Sullivan, Associate Professor, Department of Communication at UCCS.
In today's data driven world, seat-of-the-pants PR is for amateurs. New technologies and techniques make available insights into how, where, and when to launch a communications initiative most likely to succeed. How has the University of Colorado Colorado Springs used such research to guide its own marketing and media outreach? What are the market research practices most applicable to public relations? What lessons do such case histories hold for your own organization and career?
Chris Valentine is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He serves as chief marketing officer of UCCS and is responsible for leading the university's integrated strategic marketing and communications functions. Chris joined UCCS in 2019 after 25 years in the healthcare industry where he oversaw marketing and communications for four hospitals in southern Colorado.
Dr. Katie Sullivan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at UCCS. Her research expertise centers on brands and the role of branding in public life. She has a particular interest in studying how organizations and brands use strategic communication to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing. Katie joined UCCS in 2017 after working for nearly a decade in Sweden. In addition to her research, Katie teaches undergraduates and graduate classes in Integrated Marketing Communication and Social Media Management.
10:00 A.M. – BREAK
10:15 A.M. – The Mediattitudes: A secular sermon on effective media pitching.
Paul Dusseault, APR
Multiple Silver Anvil winner, Paul Dusseault, APR, demonstrates through vivid real world examples how to transform the messages companies and organizations wish to deliver into stories journalists wish to report.
Paul Dusseault, APR. Retired after 40 years in corporate communications, reputation management, CSR, ESG, M&A, and executive communications. Former lead of corporate reputation practice at FleishmanHillard where he managed the agency's Communications Skills Training Program offered both internally and externally. Clients: Newell Rubbermaid, Emerson, Caterpillar, Kodak, Phillips, Alcan, AT&T, UPS, Nortel Networks, and Enterprise. Silver Anvil awards from the Public Relations Society of America for work with EDS, Dell, Bumble Bee Foods and Aflac. Former journalist (Washington Post, Orlando Sentinel, Omni Magazine, American Health) and current contributor to PR Week, PR Strategist. Founder of FleishmanHillard house band, Pro Bono & the Non-Billables, which has raised more than $60,000 for local charities. Infrequent percussionist for the Flying W Wranglers, the Beatles of the Colorado Front Range.
11:30 A.M. – LUNCH
12:00 P.M. – LUNCH SPEAKER KEYNOTE (TBD)
1:15 P.M. – Better Business Writing: A skills drill.
Paul Dusseault, APR
Corporate communications veteran, Paul Dusseault, APR, leads some hands-on exercises to help improve one of the least valued but most important business skills -- expressing yourself on paper (well, okay, pixels) in a clear, succinct, and compelling manner.
2:30 P.M. – "Relationships" with Influencers & Para Social Interactions
Meagan Thomas
Using big name influencers has become a main advertising resource for big brands and companies, but does it work locally? And why is it so effective? It is possible to use local influencers to brand and promote your business and create a local connection to your audience.
Meagan Thomas is a Colorado Springs native who's determination to see local businesses thrive unexpectedly led her down the path of entrepreneurship. After graduating with a journalism degree from Baker University, a tiny liberal arts college in Eastern Kansas, Meagan returned to Colorado Springs to find the city she'd called home for so long had grown and changed drastically. She then went on to found marketing agency, Springs Native Creative; podcast, Single in the Springs; and food blog, Springs Native. Springs Native Creative specializes in Food & Beverage, focusing on forming relationships between influencers and businesses around town. As an influencer herself with over 14,000 followers, Meagan has perfected the balance in creating a cohesive network that continues to enhance the Colorado Springs community. Meagan loves discovering the best local restaurants, bars, boutiques, fitness studios and events in Colorado Springs and throughout the state. She has a deep belief in supporting the businesses that help make Colorado Springs such a unique place to live.
3:20 P.M. BREAK
3:30 P.M. – From Boomers to Z: How Sage, the water-wise frog, communicates across generations
Amy Trinidad, Public Affairs Lead, Colorado Springs Utilities and Jim Morrissey, Executive Creative Director, Vladimir Jones
Come hear from Colorado Springs Utilities and their PR/Marketing agency, Vladimir Jones, to learn about how they were successful in reaching multiple generations with the Water Wise campaign.
Amy Trinidad leads a team that is responsible for bringing strategic communications plans to life at Colorado Springs Utilities. She works to ensure the organization’s brand is delivered and maintained across all internal and external communications channels; oversees the development of creative assets for use in integrated communications plans; and manages the organization’s creative and paid media agency to achieve strategic objectives. Her work focuses on building brand favorability, communicating plans for the future of utility and educating customers on the safe and efficient use of utilities. Colorado Springs Utilities is the largest community-owned, not-for-profit, four-service utility in the nation.
Enthusiasm is Jim Morrissey's secret weapon. It helps him create and build human connections for brands. His creative approach is to always keep iterating and constantly honing his chops in the art of simplification. He’s written and created noteworthy (and award-winning) work for a diverse group of clients like Ford Motor Company, Procter & Gamble, Tri-State Energy, Odell Brewing Company and the Colorado Lottery. From social media platforms and branding to integrated marketing, Jim’s able to guide clients through the ever-changing landscape of digital and traditional channels, balancing creativity with strategic rigor.
4:30 P.M. – DAY CONCLUDES
