Kick Up Those PR Skills at PR Boot Camp

It's summertime already, and you should take this time to relax, soak in some great outdoors time and sharpen your PR skills. That's right...there's never rooom to be complacent in what you know about your profession.

You (and the entire community) are invited to take part in our 2011 PR Boot Camp Thursday, July 28 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway.

We have an amazing lineup - especially for those who are new to the industry or who perform multiple functions in an organization.

• 9 a.m. - How to Pitch a Story. Maria Neider, KY3
• 10 a.m. - Social Media: Why You Shouldn't be Afraid of It. Jonathan Groves, Drury University
• 11 a.m. - Inside Job: Why Internal PR and Marketing are Important, Too. Joel Alexander, City Utilities
• Noon-1 p.m. - Lunch and networking
• 1 p.m. - How Technology is Changing PR and Marketing. Zac Rantz, Nixa Public Schools
• 2 p.m. - News Releases Aren't Dead Yet (at Least Not in the Ozarks). Joel Doepker, Ozarks Technical Community College

Registration is $40 for PRSA and Chamber members, $50 for non-members. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided.

Hope to see you there!

Kick your PR skills up a notch at the PR Boot Camp!

PRSA and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce will co-host the PR Boot Camp Thursday, July 28 for individuals wanting to build or improve their PR skills. The event will be held from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway.


The program incorporates five sessions designed to help individuals who want to learn or brush up on tools to promote their business or organization – whether it’s a small business, non-profit organization, church or public office. Those sessions will include information on starting a social media program, the importance of internal communications, working with the news media, and more.

To register, visit www.swmoprsa.org. The cost is $40 for PRSA and Chamber members, and $50 for other non-members.

This fee includes a light breakfast, lunch and all program materials. For more information, contact Stacy Fender at 417-269-4113.

Upcoming Conferences - Mark Your Calendars!

PR Boot Camp is tentatively scheduled for July 21 - a great opportunity to fill a need in the community! We can share our knowlege of public relations with many local companies and non-profits that may need an extra push in the right direction. Think about how you might be able to contribute, and contact Stacy Fender (stacy.fender@coxhealth.com) if you would like to help.

Our annual Professional Development Conference will be held Sept. 20, and we are already well underway in the planning of this great event. We are excited to be having a nationally recognized speaker and author as our keynote for the day - you'll find out more soon. Contact Claire Faucett, claire@springfieldchamber.com, if you'd like to help in bringing this event to the Springfield community.

Professional Development: Opportunities Abound!

Thanks to Tamera Heitz-Peek and committee for organizing the PR Boot Camp, held yesterday, August 26. There was a great turn out from the community and members - and it was a fantastic dialogue on tricks of the trade. Also, thanks to the speakers who gave of their time, energy and expertise!

Hope to see a great PRSA turnout for the upcoming professional development conference, "Buzz for Your Business," September 30 at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Get in the Game

Ever wonder what all the jargon means? Feel a little out of the loop? Read through this "Idiot's Guide to Understanding Today's Marketing Catchphrases" and get on the same page.

Don't forget - tomorrow is the PR Boot Camp - you can register now!

PR Boot Camp – Tools For Public Relations Success

Enlist in this action-packed Boot Camp and take away tangible strategies and tactics on starting, building or improving upon your public relations efforts. This PR Boot Camp is presented by The Southwest Missouri Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Aug. 26. This half-day event will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway.

The program incorporates five sessions designed to help those who want to learn or brush up on tools to promote their business or organization – whether it’s a small business, non-profit organization, church or public office. Those sessions include: Starting from Scratch – A Recipe for PR Success; Keeping it Fresh – Tactics for Energizing Your Brand; Secrets From a Pro – 5 Things You Must Know Now; Crisis Strikes, Media Calls, What Now? – An Interactive Approach to Handling the Heat; and No Budget? No Problem! – 7 Strategies You Can Start Today.

Good public relations are important to every organization and every level. This event is open to the public. To register, visit www.swmoprsa.org. For Chamber members, the cost is $40 and for other non-members the cost is $50.

This fee includes a light breakfast, lunch and all program materials. For more information, contact Tamera Heitz-Peek at 417-328-7245.