PRSA-NCC Keeps Moving and Planning Despite Snow and Ice

Though we are only in February, we have produced several great programs, and many other stimulating programs are to come. Here is just a sampling of some great upcoming programs.

Mark Your Calendars

We are so pleased that the new PRSA National President and COO William Murray has accepted our invitation to visit our chapter.  Murray will serve as the keynote guest speaker at a special NCC chapter spring luncheon on May 3. An association executive with more than 20 years of experience, Murray was executive vice president and co-chief operating officer of the Motion Picture Association, the international trade association representing the international interests of the major Hollywood studios. Stay tuned for details. 

On June 7, our chapter will be part of an unprecedented 15-city nationwide program of professional development breakfasts called the 2007 Hispanic Public Relations and Marketing Strategies Tour.  This tour is the result of a partnership with PRSA and Hispanic PR Wire.  The DC leg of the tour will be extended to include strategic insights into marketing to Asian and African-American audiences. 

Please mark your calendars for the 2007 Thoth Awards Gala to be held Sept. 20 at the National Press Club. The Gala, at which we honor the best practitioners in our field, always is an evening of fun, glamour and surprises. Award entry forms will be distributed soon. 

We are the Best at Producing APR Graduates! As a chapter, we are mandated to provide programs that support the professional development of our members.  I’m pleased to say that, as part of our efforts to support professional development, we held our first Jumpstart workshop on Saturday, Feb. 24, a kind of crash course preparation for the APR exam (accreditation in public relations). We offer among one of the best preparation classes, with the proof being that in 2006, our chapter had the largest number of members that passed the accreditation exam, the majority of whom took our Jumpstart class. 

In fact, PRSA-NCC was recognized at the 2006 PRSA National Assembly for offering our members the best opportunity to prepare and succeed at earning their professional accreditation in public relations. Through a variety of educational and assistance programs, we help our members navigate the process, so the time has never been better to pursue your APR.  There will be another Jumpstart in the fall on September 15, for those who are interested.  

As you know, we are the largest chapter in the country. We welcome the opportunity to continually serve our 1,300 plus members to the fullest. We are here to support your networking, your professional development and your personal growth. We take very seriously our role as the must-join organization for anyone working in public relations or related professions. Call us. E-mail us. We’ll work with you to meet your professional development and networking needs.

Respectfully,

Sandra Wills Hannon, APR
PRSA-NCC President

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IPRA—A Resource for Everyone

The Independent Public Relations Alliance (IPRA) wants you to know they are a valuable resource to public relations professionals. This section of PRSA is made up of independent PR consultants and small virtual agencies. Many of these senior-level professionals have taken the success and knowledge gained from their long PR and communications careers to step out on their own.

If you’re also an independent practitioner, this means you have a valuable network of professional experience in which to share ideas, projects and valuable information through your membership in IPRA. Our membership provides you business development and marketing opportunities, including having your business profile posted on the IPRA website, discounted professional development programs, access to RFPs, monthly luncheons, the IPRA listserv, and special networking events.  

If you’re a PR professional looking for expertise from outside your organization, you have a wealth of experience from which to draw.  Learn more on the IPRA Web site, where you can search for a professional with the experience and background you need, from healthcare to high tech, associations to corporations. For more information on IPRA, contact Membership Chair Sandra Remey at sandra@remeycommunications.com.

2007 PRSA International Conference is Right Around the Corner

PR Evolution is the theme of the 2007 PRSA International Conference. The conference will be held Oct. 20 to 23 right up I-95 in historic downtown Philadelphia.  Start making plans now to attend this year’s conference.  Registration is now open.Deadline to get last year registration rates is March 1.  Deadline for early-bird rates is Sept. 7.  Don’t forget to make your hotel reservation now to receive the early-bird rate.

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Jon Stephenson

Account Executive
Market Wire

Stephenson joined PRSA because he saw a great opportunity to work with professionals in his field and learn how to better position and manage the Market Wire product for customers in the DC metro area.

1. How long have you been in the PR field?
I am new to the PR field and am very excited to learn the methodologies and tactics that lead to the most effective PR strategies in the industry today.

2. What skills are required to do your job?
My job requires a high level of organization and a “no fear” attitude in introductory settings. Interpersonal communication skills are vital to success at my job, as is a genuine desire to help others to meet their goals in effective, timely, and strategic ways. 

3. Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
In five years I hope to be leading Market Wire into global markets in information distribution and also helping to facilitate the growth and expansion of technical and strategic offerings of our products.

4. How do you begin each day?
Push-ups and coffee! I also enjoy the brisk walk to the Metro and then to the office in the mornings.

5. What’s your dream job?
To travel fulltime visiting exotic locations and people. I also want to make a decent living though and the two are a hard niche to find.

If you’ve joined the chapter within the past six months and would like to receive a questionnaire, please contact newsletter@prsa-ncc.org. To view past new Member Spotlights, visit the membership section of the Web site.

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