PRSA Alabama presents… The PR Survival Guide
OBE? The business climate in 2009 is nothing to LOL about. With FUD, PR professionals need to sharpen their skills ASAP. That is why PRSA is bringing you the PR Survival Guide (AKA the PRSA professional development seminar) to address the FAQ for WTSHTF.**
When? July 14, 2009, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Where? Federal Reserve Bank at Liberty Park (find it with Google Maps)
Why? Earn APR credits!
Cost? PRSA AL Chapter Members — $20, free lunch
PRCA Members — $30 seminar, $15 lunch*
Non-members — $30 seminar, $20 lunch*
Students — $15 seminar, $10 lunch*
*$5 discount for lunch + seminar
Reserve your spot today at the PRSA web site! www.alabamaprsa.org/rsvp
Follow @alabamaprsa on Twitter for updates, survival tips and news
Morning Session #1: Communicating, Coping & Conquering
With job losses occurring daily, PR professionals in all industries face the possibility of having to communicate pending layoffs to employees. How do you break the bad news? What if you’re next? This seminar not only addresses communicating layoffs but also includes advice on how to cope with and conquer a layoff.
Moderator:
Evelyn Mitchell, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Regions Financial Corporation
Panel:
Maureen Gleason, Vice President of Operations, American Behavioral
William Carroll, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Armstrong Relocation Services
Gerriann Fagan, President, The Prism Group
Rick Swagler, Senior Vice President & Director of External Affairs, Regions Financial Corp.
Morning Session #2: DIY PR
As budgets shrink, PR practitioners are moving quickly to embrace the latest tools that the web has to offer and other methods for low-cost, high-efficiency message delivery — especially when mainstream media is not telling your story. Learn how to fit these new tactics into your PR strategies.
Speaker: Ike Pigott, Alabama Power Company
Lunch Panel Discussion: OMG! What do I say?
In the current business environment, PR professionals in all industries are charged with presenting gloomy forecasts and debunking misinformation. For the closing panel, learn how veteran communicators who have faced the challenge head-on are delivering their organization’s messages in a negative climate.
Moderator:
Mitch Edwards, Director of Communication, Alabama Department of Education
Panel:
Laura Howe, Senior Director of Public Affairs, American Red Cross, Washington, D.C.
Patrick M. Keefe, Vice President of Communications, Credit Union National Association, Washington, D.C.
Mark Morrison, Manager of Corporate Affairs and Communication, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama
**Had trouble deciphering the acronyms? Check the PRSA E-Comm Wiki.
Meet the Speakers:
Evelyn Mitchell is Vice President of Corporate Communications for Regions Financial Corporation. Her responsibilities include managing relationships with the media and serving as a spokesperson, primarily on regional media issues. Prior to joining Regions in 2009, Mitchell managed media relations and internal communications for Wachovia Bank, and managed internal communications and media relations during the SouthTrust/Wachovia merger.
Maureen Gleason currently serves as Vice President of Operations, with responsibility for the sales, corporate relations, provider relations, and IT departments. She has more than 20 years of professional experience in the business and healthcare industries. Her firm provides EAP services and support – particularly during downsizing events.
William Carroll is SVP, Business Development for Armstrong Relocation Services. He is a seasoned HR and Business Executive who has administered downsizings from all aspects in the financial services industry. He has been involved in corporate relocations, spousal relocation, etc. which involve planned communications and programs.
Gerriann Fagan, Founder and President of The Prism Group, LLC, is known for her progressive approach to career development and retirement planning. Fagan has more than 20 years of experience in human resources and management across a broad range of industries. Having started her own business, Fagan has a special passion for helping women business owners succeed.
Ike Pigott, an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist who has successfully made the transition to corporate communications, works in corporate communications for Alabama Power. He is a regular contributor to Media Bullseye and is a somewhat irregular contributor to his personal blog, Occam’s Razr, which Ragan Communications’ Blog Dogger named the “Best Overall Read” of 2007.
Mitch Edwards is Director of Communication for the Alabama Department of Education. Bio coming soon.
Patrick M. Keefe is Vice President of Communications for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) in Washington, DC. In his current position, he is responsible for media relations for CUNA and communications projects for the president and CEO of the association. A former newspaper reporter and editor, Keefe has been involved in credit unions as a trade association communicator since 1984.
Laura Howe is Senior Director of Public Affairs for the American Red Cross. Bio coming soon.
Mark Morrison, APR, is Manager for Corporate Affairs & Communication for Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC (HMA). In his role, he supervises the Corporate Affairs and Communications team and directs internal and external communication strategies. A former newspaper reporter and editor, Morrison is the company spokesperson and is responsible for governmental relations and community relations.
© 2012 Alabama PRSA
