Early Saver Rate Extended! 


From executive scandals to defective products and catastrophic natural disasters, crises are becoming a routine part of the news and social media cycle. 

Despite digital media's established place in the PR world, it often works against companies in crisis. This program features some of LA's top communications professionals on the front lines of crisis and issues management. Don't miss this compelling discussion on one of the PR industry's most challenging topics!

Plan to arrive early (5:30 p.m.) and tour The Museum of Flying, or network with other professionals in the pre-event reception featuring a light meal and beverages.

The event will feature a panel presentation with the following experts:

• Johnathan Bernstein, President, Bernstein Crisis Management

• Terry Fahn, Senior Executive, Sitrick and Company

• Megan Jordan, Vice President Corporate Communications, Southern California Edison

• Brenda Maceo, Vice President Public Relations & Marketing, University of Southern California

• Moderated By: Paul J. Wright, Esq., President, British American Business Council Los Angeles

Registration:
Advance registration is required via this online form.

Pricing:
Early registration pricing extended through March 25.

$45 - Members (or use your PRSA-LA Passport)
$65 - Non-Members and Guests
$25 - Young Professionals & PRSSA

Independent Practitioners Alliance 


Independent PR practitioners continue to meet the challenges of today's economy while going it alone, and the right tools and resources often determine the difference between struggle and success.

Join IPA as we fill our PR tool chests with ideas for becoming more effective and efficient. This meeting will be all about money: earning it, spending it and keeping it. Topics will vary, but could include expenses, setting rates, project value pricing and retainers, tax preparation, what is and isn't generally tax-deductible, money leaks, timekeeping solutions, billing, invoicing, financial record keeping and new business generation, among others. 

IPA events use a "think tank" and "peer sharing" format, so come prepared with at least three tools or tips to share with the group and be sure to bring web addresses for the online resources you contribute.

Facilitating our IPA think tank is Margot Black, PR visionary, media maven, and founder of Black Ink PR.


Registration:
Ticket includes breakfast and complimentary valet parking (gratuity excluded).  Payment accepted at the door by cash, credit card or check.

Exclusive Member Benefit 

In 2013, PRSA Los Angeles Chapter will offer a number of programs that represent the global nature and industry diversity of Los Angeles PR.

To help members maximize these opportunities, we are offering chapter members the opportunity to purchase tickets to these outstanding programs in advance and enjoy significant savings. The more you buy, the greater the discount, and tickets are transferable to a colleague if you are unable to attend.  We call this new benefit the PRSA-LA Program Passport Package.

Passport Packages are offered at the following rates*:

• 6 programs: $240 for members (a savings of $90 or 27% off the regular member price of $55 per program)

• 3 programs: $130 for members (a savings of $35 or 20% off the regular member price of $55 per program)

Benefit Terms: Most PRSA-LA events require a reservation.  Reservations made using the Passport Package will be treated as all other paid reservations. If cancellation is necessary, it must be done by the cancellation date for each event, or the payment is forfeited. Passport Packages do not apply to the PRSA-LA Annual PRism Awards Show and Dinner or other programs deemed "Special Events" by PRSA-LA (a rare occurrence).

Network. Learn. Be Inspired! 

More than 75 students and new professionals from throughout Southern California converged on Loyola Marymount University on Saturday, Feb. 9, for a day of professional development and networking.

The PRSSA One-Day Conference, hosted by PRSA-LA, HPRA-LA and LMU PRSSA, started with breakfast and an inspirational talk by Judy Johnson, president, western region, GolinHarris. She presented "A How-To Guide to Prepare For and Launch a PR Career." Attendees were challenged to keep up as Judy gave practical advice for what they can do now to prepare for a successful career in public relations. Some of the 25 tips included: be intellectually curious; be a great storyteller; have a nose for news; and be a problem solver.

Following the keynote address, attendees headed off to one of two breakout sessions: "Resumes and Portfolios: What the heck do Employers Want to See?" or "Networking for Success." These two sessions were clearly favorites as attendees walked away with concrete ideas on how to present themselves as they enter the PR profession.

After a lively networking lunch, everyone went to the second breakout session, choosing between: "Social Media 101: How to Take your Experience in Social Media from Fun and Friends to Work and Influence" or "The Real World" (a panel of recent graduates).

"The information and advice given was priceless," said Amanda Mountan, a PRSSA member at LMU. "It was extremely valuable to students who are interested in PR, especially since there are only a limited number of classes students can take in order to gain PR knowledge."

PRSA-LA thanks HPRA and LMU PRSSA for their support. We also thank the 15 PR professionals who took time on a Saturday to share their wisdom with the next generation of practitioners.

March Membership Promotion 

Now and through the end of this month, new PRSA national members can qualify to receive one free Professional Interest Section membership. PRSA offers 14 different interest sections, in fields ranging from health communications to not-for-profit PR. 

Forward this offer to a colleague and help them accelerate their professional development in 2013.

Benefits of PRSA-LA Chapter membership:

• Access to regional job bank

• APR accreditation preparation

• Monthly At Breakfast With... series featuring local, trade and national journalists

• Monthly programs, mixers and professional development workshops

• Annual PRism Awards

• Annual community service scholarship & grant

Know someone who may be interested? Refer them to the PRSA Web site for more details or to sign up.

Tell them to reference promotion code MAR13 to lock in their promotional rate.

It's Not Too Late... 


The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix Chapter will soon host the 2013 PRSA Western District Conference, April 18-20 at the Kimpton FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale.

The Western District includes 10 chapters from four states including: California Inland Empire, Colorado, Hawaii, Las Vegas Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix, Pikes Peak, San Diego and Imperial Valley, and Southern Arizona.

The conference offers communications professionals at every level 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 will feature 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

• plus many other engaging speakers

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.


Information & Registration:

For event, sponsorship, lodging or session information, or to register, please visit the conference Web site.

Pricing:
Late Rates: Deadline April 18, 2013

$275 - PRSA Members
$99 - Student Rate

Save the Dates! 

Member Education Benefits       

 

Complimentary Online Learning Opportunities Available in March & April 

PRSA National offers all members a very special member benefit: FREE access to its entire catalog of online learning opportunities (section-specific material excluded). 

Here is a rundown of some of your upcoming options. For more information or to register for these opportunities, click on the link associated with each: 

• Key Issues Facing Health Care Communicators: An Overview of Guidelines and Laws for 2013
  
  Join Jill Dosik, president of GCI Health, as she presents an overview of the most significant events, government directives and initiatives affecting PR in the health field today. In this webinar, you'll gain a basic understanding of recent events in the public policy arena, learn their implications for the health care market and health care communications, and discover how PR practitioners are handling sensitive situations. Date: March 21, 2013. Presenter: Jill Dosik, JD. REGISTER 

• Power Speeches: Captivate, Convince or Convert Any Business Audience
  
  Even in the digital age, speeches are among the most effective communications tools public relations practitioners posesss. Whether you're writing a CEO's speech for an audience of thousands or giving a pep talk to your department, what you say and how you say it are critical to career success. In this webinar, veteran corporate speechwriter Jim Holtje will share tips and secrets for storytelling and how to craft memorable speeches that drive audiences to action. Date: March 26, 2013. Presenter: Jim Holtje. REGISTER 

• The Universal PR Professional of Tomorrow: New Requirements and Competencies
  
  What skills are needed for integrated marketing communications in the new millennium? This webinar will discuss the state of academic and professional education in the communications field, and the skills most sought after by employers. Attendees will also get a fresh perspective on social media planning, and discuss how too much reliance on these vehicles leads to lazy communication strategies. Date: March 28, 2013. Presenters: Deirdre Breakenridge, Geno Church. REGISTER 

• The Art of Working With Production Companies: Best Practices for Pitching Your Destination
  
  Getting featured on television or a big theater screen is one of the sexiest ways to garner exposure for your brand. However, that task is often easier said than done. What does it take to get popular TV shows to your city, or bring a major motion picture to your destination? In this webinar, a panel of experts will share best practices for use by visitors bureaus, hotels/resorts, activities/attractions, restaurants and other businesses. Learn how to "think like a producer" to properly pitch your destination. Date: April 2, 2013. Presenters: Maria Carrera, Meghann Gibbons, Darlene Morikawa. REGISTER 

• World Class Communication: How Great CEOs Win With Key Audiences
  
  When you consider that nearly 90 percent of a CEO's job is communication, those who communicate best tend to be the most successful. But which constituencies must a chief executive reach? What is the public relations professional's key role in helping the CEO and other C-suite executives succeed in these efforts? Attend this webinar to discover what makes the great CEO communicators great, and how their tips and techniques can work for you and your leader. You'll also learn how to get company leaders to agree to media training, go on television, make important public speeches and polish their speaking skills. Date: April 9, 2013. Presenter: Virgil Scudder. REGISTER