CHICAGO, July 12, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Chicago chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Chicago) is teaming up with 15 Midwest PRSA chapters to host the first ever PRSA Midwest District Conference July 19-20 at Loyola University in downtown Chicago. The two-day event will offer invaluable, educational sessions that deliver on a recent PRSA Midwest District regional survey. That survey revealed the leading topics in which today's PR professionals have the most interest are branding, digital and social media, and crisis management. The Conference will deliver on this need by offering two full days of engaging sessions on these topics and others designed to inspire, challenge and educate.
"Our Chapter is excited to be hosting the first-ever PRSA Midwest District Conference, which provides significant value to the communications community," said Debbie Harvey, APR, PRSA Chicago president and executive director at GolinHarris. "We have a tremendous speaker line-up, exciting networking events and at a great location for a great price: it is the trifecta of success for PR practitioners across the Midwest."
More than two dozen of the top public relations professionals will lead keynote and breakout discussions during the two packed days. Senior communications professionals at top organizations including Motorola, Allstate and Boeing, as well as respected Chicago media, solo PR practitioners and crisis communication experts are teed up to participate.
Speaker highlights include:
- Al Golin, founder and chairman, GolinHarris
- Antonio Hernandez, corporate communications manager, ComEd Communications
- Melissa Barnes, Agency and Brand Advocate, Twitter
- Tyler Hellinge, Agency Development Lead, Facebook
- Amy Ravit Korin, Chicago Community Manager, Google Places, Google
- Andy Shaw, president and chief executive officer, Better Government Association
In addition to the wide variety of educational sessions, there will be a number of interactive networking activities. Attendees will also enjoy an evening cocktail hour to mix and mingle with speakers and guests.
The conference is open to members and non-members. For more information on registration and conference schedule, visit the PRSA Midwest District conference website: http://www.prsachicago.com/prsa-midwest-conference/
About PRSA Midwest District
PRSA Midwest District is one of the regional districts of the Public Relations Society of America. It includes 15 chapters, including Cedar Valley, Central Illinois, Central Iowa, Chicago, Greater Kansas City, Madison, Mid-Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northeast Wisconsin, Quad Cities, Southeastern Wisconsin, Southwest Missouri, Suburban Chicago and St. Louis.
About PRSA Chicago
PRSA Chicago is the fourth largest chapter in the country. The chapter was founded in 1948 to provide professionals with programs and activities designed to meet their needs for professional development and networking. Today, its nearly 500 members represent a cross-section of industries, with a diverse mix of Fortune 100 corporations, public relations agencies, associations and non-profit organizations. The goal of PRSA Chicago is to advance the profession of public relations, promote high professional and ethical standards and build the reputation of the profession in the Chicago area.
As part of PRSA Chicago, members have access to the national Public Relations Society of America, the world's largest organization for public relations professionals. The Society has nearly 32,000 professional and student members. PRSA is organized into more than 100 Chapters nationwide, 19 Professional Interest Sections and Affinity Groups, which represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has nearly 300 Chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
The PRSA Chicago logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13178