Social: IRL Events in KC and Wichita

New from Social: IRL - Top social media links and resources, upcoming events in Wichita and Kansas City.

Exclusive discount code for our Kansas City workshop - IRLNEWS for $95 full day registration.
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Coming Events
No BS Social Media Marketing with Jason Falls
Wichita, KS, January 31
Limited registrations at just $35
Details and Registration  |  View Current Attendee List
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Rethinking Business in the age of the Social Consumer with "Conversation Agent" Valeria Maltoni
Kansas City, February 9
Regular registration $145, limited $95 registrations using discount code IRLNEWS
Details and Registration   |  View Current Attendee List

Call for Presentations - Midwest District Conference

The Midwest District Conference Planning committee has opened the call for presentations for the 2012 PRSA Midwest District Conference, which will be held July 19-20, in Chicago, Ill.

The theme for the this year’s conference will be Reestablishing the Value Proposition: Trust and Transparency in PR.

Click the link to visit the district’s conference web page where there is a link to begin the process of suggesting a presenter: http://www.prsa.org/Conferences/MidwestDistrict/

Invitation from Women in Communications

Invitation from Women in Communications:

Unravel the secrets of extracting creative thought from the right side of the brain. Dr. Jo Van Arkel, author and professor at Drury University, will guide us through time-proven exercises and techniques that will put more punch and color into everyday writing. Bring an open mind and a blank piece of paper!

Join the Association for Women in Communications on Tuesday, December 6 for this fun program. Networking at 11:30 am; program at noon. $15 for first time guests, $18 for returning guests, $14 for AWC student members and full-time degree-seeking students. Lunch catered by Olive Garden. Meeting location is Associated Electric Cooperative, 2814 S. Golden Ave., Springfield. RSVP to Ashley at awood@aeci.org by December 2 at 12 pm.

How to produce a social media news release

PR Daily Webinar
How to produce a social media news release
A webinar featuring Shel Holtz and Cassie Péan

Thursday, Dec. 8 • 2-3:45 p.m.

At the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Melinda Arnold, Friends of the Zoo, and Claire Faucett, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, are hosting this webinar for southwest Missouri public relations professionals and students. Cost* is $10/person for professionals and $5/person for university students. (The actual cost of the webinar is $139 – so $10 is a BARGAIN!)

Are you producing social media news releases?

Did you know they get picked up more frequently than traditional releases?

Want a practical, introductory course on how to produce a social media news release?

Join us for this NEW PR Daily webinar airing on Thursday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m. Central with online communications expert Shel Holtz and PR Manager for Vocus, Cassie Péan.

This session is filled with step-by-step instructions to write an SMNR, tag content, add important files, distribute releases to social media outlets and more.

PR pros should use social media news releases far more than they do. Research from Realwire shows that reporters and editors like them and that they get picked up more frequently than traditional releases do.

Veteran communications consultant Shel Holtz and PR practitioner Cassie Péan explain the components of the SMNR and offer tips on how to get online reporters and bloggers to read and watch these releases.

For more details on the sessions with Shel and Cassie, please visit the webinar description online.

To attend the webinar, please email your RSPV to Melinda Arnold by noon, Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Attendance is not limited to SWMO PRSA members. Please forward this to coworkers, colleagues and friends who might be interested in attending.

* The per-person cost will reimburse Friends of the Zoo for the webinar registration. Any amount exceeding the registration price will be given to SWMO PRSA.

Thanks for a Wonderful PDC

Big thanks to everyone who attended the Professional Development Conference on Sept. 20 at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. We had more than 55 business men and women professionals in attendance, including several of you. In particular, I’d like to recognize the Professional Development Committee:  Lisa Cox, Tom Ellis, Ann Elwell, Andrea Harp, Don Hendricks, Paula Ringer and Sharina Smith. Their creative energy, dependability and attention to detail made this conference truly exceptional!

Comments on the conference evaluation forms demonstrate that the event fills a professional development gap for professionals seeking up-to-date ways to communicate. There were several great suggestions that next year’s committee will review and, most likely, implement. Thanks again and I can’t wait to see what the chapter puts together for next year’s conference!

St. Louis event with Valeria Maltoni

See the message below from Ben Smith, Social: IRL.

I'd hoped to bring Social: IRL back to Springfield this year with a follow up to February's boot camp with Sarah Evans.

Unfortunately the timing didn’t work out for this year, but I hope to schedule another event in Springfield for the Summer of 2012. In the meantime, we will be in St Louis on November 3 with "Relationships and Brand Building in the Social Media Age."

Since I wasn’t able to return to Springfield this year, I'm offering each of you who attended the Sarah Evans boot camp a special $50 discount if you'd like to make the drive and join us in St Louis. I can promise an event that is well worth the trip, and the $50 discount can be applied to both the regular rate and the early bird rate this is currently available. If applied to the early bird rate it would take registration to just $95.

This  event delves a lot deeper than the event you attended with Sarah and features Valeria Malltoni, known online under the "Conversation Agent" brand. Valeria brings more than 20 years of real-world business experience, specializing in taking companies to "what's next" in their business cycle by planning and building value creating systems that add momentum and performance to deliver strength, resilience and endurance to the business. Valeria has been responsible for overseeing engagements for companies including Busch, InBev, Allstate and GE Appliances. During her career, she's held senior business roles executing growth strategies at global Fortune 500, mid-sized businesses and small start up companies in five industries. Her Conversation Agent blog is consistently ranked among the top 30 marketing blogs in the world on the AdAge Power150. You can also connect with Valeria on Twitter @conversationage.

You can learn more about the event and register at:

http://socialirl.com/relationships-brand-building-conversation-in-the-social-media-age/

If you attended the Feb. conference in Springfield, use discount code IRLSGF to get the 50% discount.

Hope to see you in St Louis.

Ben

Volunteer, Nominate, Attend: 3 Easy Ways to Support "An Evening of Stars!"

Mark your calendar for “An Evening of Stars!”

Thursday, Nov. 17 ¶ 6 p.m.

Wellington South, 5021 S. National Ave.

From Melinda Arnold

Join your SWMO PRSA colleagues for our inaugural banquet, an evening to celebrate our successes and recognize outstanding contributions to the public relations profession. The flier (PDF attachment) includes the details for the evening. (Note: This event takes the place of our November “holiday” meeting.)

As chair of the event, I’m asking for three actions from each chapter member:

1.       Mark your calendar today and plan to attend the banquet. Details will be posted soon on the SWMO PRSA website for purchasing tickets.

2.       Give thought to our members and consider those who you believe should be nominated for the “Rising Star” or “Intrepid” awards. While we’re specifically focused on those two awards, we also have three additional awards that could be given if there are nominations to support them. Again, complete details are on the flier.

3.       Think beyond “I’m busy,” and consider volunteering for the either the event or awards committee. We’re all busy, but neither of these committees will take a tremendous amount of time. And, the more the merrier (and easier)! Contact me by email or phone (833-1570) if you are willing to serve.

Listen up! Network. Get engaged.

Listen up! Network. Get engaged.


A new era for PR and marketing professionals.

2011 Professional Development Conference

September 20, 2011

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce


Register now and get $10 off at http://www.swmoprsa.org/.

Sessions are geared toward professionals at small and large businesses alike. Sessions include:

• GET ENGAGED! BE A LEADER FROM WITHIN YOUR COMPANY. David Grossman, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA, founder and CEO, The Grossman Group, in Chicago, will talk about the importance of getting communication “right” and will provide proven and practical insights, methods and tools to enhance results and ensure overall organizational engagement.

• PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD! ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS. Shari Hawkins, owner, 2balance, a PR and communications agency in Springfield, will discuss best practices when it comes to etiquette in today’s business world.

• LISTEN UP! BE SOCIAL. GET TANGIBLE RESULTS FROM YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA EFFORTS. Mike Koehler, president and chief strategist, Smirk New Media in Oklahoma City, will delve into best practices and the how-to’s for effective online brand monitoring and engagement through social media networking -- in a way that provides tangible benefits for your business or organization.

• EXTREME NETWORKING. Students and professionals will get a chance to meet and learn from one another. Students should bring resumes and questions. Professionals, this is your chance to learn how education is evolving and ideas on staying current.

NEW! Showcase Sponsor

We've added a new sponsorship level for just for attendees. Showcase your company throughout the conference for an additional $50.

As a Showcase Sponsor you receive:

-- Placement of promotional material on Showcase Tables inside the conference room

-- Recognition during the event

-- Special designation as a Showcase Sponsor on your name tag

-- Recognition via Facebook, Twitter and other social media as applicable

AAF Invitation: Using Your Noodle to Promote Local Services

AAF of the Ozarks presents...Using Your Noodle to Promote Local Services
Brian Ash, Business Development Manager for ServiceNoodle.com, will explain how the company’s online database works to connect businesses and consumers with local service providers, 24/7.

Service categories include Home (such as landscaping and remodeling), Family (such as dentists and financial planners), Business (such as attorneys and IT consultants), and others.

A variety of creative and marketing-related services also are represented on the site, including photographers, graphic designers, sign and promotional products companies, and marketing consultants.

Service Noodle launched its Springfield website last summer and has set out to make “noodle” a household verb. Come and learn how the Service Noodle concept works and how you and/or your clients might utilize its services to promote your business and find the services you need.

When: Tuesday, June 14, 11:30a-1p
Where: 319 Downtown Banquet Facility, 319 W. Walnut, Springfield
Cost: $15 AAF members & first-time guests; $20 repeat guests; $10 students
RSVP: Click the Reservations button at our website by noon on Monday, June 13; sign up online and receive an email confirmation!

Pass the word to friends and associates who might be interested in this informative program!

May Meeting Update

We’ve had a change of plans for our May meeting. Our speaker will be Jeff Nene, senior director of public relations for Convoy of Hope in Springfield. Jeff will talk about Convoy of Hope’s decision to place more emphasis on public relations. Learn why the organization made that strategic communications shift and how it has benefitted them. Convoy of Hope made another decision just before the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, and Jeff will talk about that. Also learn about “the power of a story.”

Peter Shankman in Lawrence!

Ben Smith, of Social: IRL sent this opportunity to extend to our chapter.

Just a quick follow up on the Peter Shankman boot camp Social: IRL is hosting in Lawrence in July.

If you aren't familiar with Peter Shankman, you can read his bio at: http://shankman.com/about/. Peter founded HARO, advises Fortune 500 corporations, is a respected VC and angel investor, acclaimed author and regular interviewee on national and international media.

The boot camp will focus on customer service in the socal age - engaging prospects, providing customer service, customer generated PR, creating brand advocates. Lots of powerful content. You can read more at: http://customerservicebootcamp.eventbrite.com/. The event is about to go live on socialirl.com but I wanted to offer prior Social: IRL attendees a final pre-sale opportunity. The event registration is a fraction of the cost you'd typically pay to see Peter keynote, let alone in a boot camp format.

 

The discounted pre-sale rates are:

• Regular registration $145
• Non-profit registration $120
• Student registration $95
• Group registration $500

 These are some substantial discounts and won't be available after the event is live on socialirl.com. At this point the pre-sale discounts arent available online, you'd need to call me to process registration and payment over the phone. You can reach me at 785-423-4538.

 

Hope you'll be able to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from Peter, an industry leader I have a great deal of respect for an an excited to be working with, and to make accessible for a much more afordable registration rate than just about any other event he's ever been part of.

 

Invitation from AAF

AAF of the Ozarks presents...


Catch some rising stars: Drury Student Ad Team Presentation
When: Tuesday, May 10, 1:30a-1p
Where: 425 Downtown Banquet Facility, 425 W. Walnut, Springfield
Cost: $15 AAF members & first-time guests; $20 repeat guests; $10 students

RSVP: Click the Reservations button at www.aafozarks.org by noon on Monday, May 9, to sign up online

Each May, AAF of the Ozarks is pleased to showcase our local university student advertising teams, whose presentations are the culmination of months of research, strategy and campaign development.

This year, the Drury Student Ad Team will present their entry in the 2010-11 AAF National Student Advertising Competition: a $100 million integrated marketing communications plan for JCPenney. The campaign is designed to increase market share among women 25-34 years old, while remaining consistent with the JCPenney overall brand position. Campaign elements include market and customer research, strategy, messaging, creative, media, public relations, merchandise and marketing partnerships, and in-store and online shopping experiences.

The Drury team’s plan book took second place and the team finished third overall at the AAF 9th District Student Advertising Competition last month in Kansas City. The team’s faculty instructors/advisers are Ron Schie, who serves on the AAF board of directors, and Regina Waters.

Reserve your space now, and pass the word to your coworkers and business associates. You’ll be impressed and inspired by the marketing savvy, creativity and professionalism of these dedicated young people!

Best in Business Brought to Springfield

You are invited to join us for the 2011 Professional Development Conference from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. This annual conference features national-level speakers in the communications profession and is rapidly becoming known in the business community as a must-attend event. Cost for PRSA members is $85, includes a light breakfast and lunch.

Speakers and sessions include:

• David Grossman, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA, founder and CEO, The Grossman Group, in Chicago. The communications consultancy focuses on organizational, strategic leadership development and internal communications. David is one of America’s foremost authorities on communication inside organizations. He will talk about the importance of getting communication “right” and will provide proven and practical insights, methods and tools to enhance results and ensure overall organizational engagement.

• Mike Koehler, president and chief strategist, Smirk New Media in Oklahoma City. A Springfield native and graduate of Missouri State University, Mike is a leading social and new media strategist, having directed new media efforts for Oklahoma’s largest news website and the state’s largest public relations firm. Mike will delve into best practices and the how-to’s for effective online brand monitoring and engagement through social media networking -- in a way that provides tangible benefits for your business or organization.

Then stay tuned for student-professional speed-networking. Students will meet and ask questions of us about what the future in this profession holds and gain resume and interviewing tips. You will be able to target and meet potential candidates for internships/positions, along with gaining an understanding of the emerging talent from our area schools.

Questions? Contact Claire Faucett.

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.

DaZZee Integrations and Cisco come to Springfield

Here's another opportunity open to the people of Springfield:

AAF Invitation: Who are you Becoming?

AAF of the Ozarks presents “Who Are You Becoming?”

A mini workshop with executive coach Kim Hartmayer
When: Wednesday, March 9, 11:30a-1p
Where: University Plaza, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway
Cost: $15 AAF members & first-time guests; $20 repeat guests; $10 students
RSVP: rsvp@aafozarks.org by noon March 7

What’s your BIG dream? What’s getting in the way?
Kim Hartmayer is passionate about helping people to face and overcome the obstacles that keep them from fulfilling their highest potential. Professionally trained through The Coaches Training Institute (CTI), Kim gets to the heart of what matters most in your life and your business. She asks the key questions and shares tools you can use to create the future you want.

Kim’s interactive, customized presentation will address some of the top issues that advertising professionals are facing today and dig deep to uncover what REALLY gets in your way. Don’t miss this unique luncheon program that will help you see yourself and your career in a positive new way!

Reserve your space now, and pass the word about this valuable program!

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.

Student Registrations Up for Grabs!

If you have any contact with students who'd be interested, tell them that there are two free registrations for Sarah Evans' Social: IRL event up for grabs. Find all the details TODAY at http://www.socialirl.com/.

Mark your calendars for Feb. 8!

The Sarah Evans Social Marketing Boot Camp is just a few weeks away!


A couple of quick updates for you from Ben Smith, Social: IRL:

We created a Facebook Event for the boot camp. Please take a moment to RSVP as attending. It's a great way to connect with other attendees, and connecting with your fellow attendees to create a shared learning experience is something we really encourage. You can also use the Facebook event to invite others you think might be interested. You can find the event here: http://on.fb.me/SarahEvansSGF

We are pleased to welcome two new sponsors for the event - Klout and mBlast. Klout are internationally recognized as leaders in measuring online influence. mBlast recently launched a new product, mPact, a specialized tool for marketers. Both Klout and mBlast and major national names and bring some real national level focus to Springfield. You can learn more about each of these sponsors at: http://klout.com/ and http://www.mblast.com/mpact/.

Finally, if you are interested you can visit http://www.socialirl.com/ to view notes from the event I held earlier this week with Brian Solis and Jason Falls in Wichita KS. Included are links to blog posts from a number of attendees. These might give you an insight in to the type of event we create and the buzz we try to generate among attendees. You'll see from the posts those attendees wrote that they left with a lot of new knowledge they were anxious to go and apply. You'll also see the event attendees were very engaged with each other, including real time Twitter conversations during the event which continued well after the event and are still continuing now. Just the day of the event and following day, we tracked 1,446 Twitter updates about the event. We hope to see a similar engagement in Springfield. If you aren't on Twitter yet I'd encourage you to sign up and be part of the online conversation that takes place between attendees.

We have people traveling in to Springfield for the Sarah Evans event from all across the country. I look forward to seeing you there on Tuesday, February 8.

Just a reminder that information such as location, times, and agenda are available at: http://www.socialirl.com/sarah-evans-boot-camp/.

Opportunities abound to become an expert in your field

Here are two great learning opportunities to kick off the new year!

Explore & Engage


Brian Solis and Jason Falls will be in Wichita for SocialIRL’s “Explore and Engage” event on Jan. 19. There is special package pricing for attending this event and the SocialIRL event with Sarah Evans here in Springfield in early February. If you are interested in the trek to Wichita, please e-mail Melinda Arnold. We’re trying to coordinate a group to share expenses. http://www.socialirl.com/explore-and-engage/


AAF of the Ozarks presents “It’s All Downtown: A Marketing Success Story,” with Rusty Worley, Executive Director of Urban Districts Alliance

When: Wednesday, January 12, 11:30a-1p
Where: University Plaza, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway
Cost: $15 members & first-time guests; $20 repeat guests; $10 students
RSVP: rsvp@aafozarks.org by noon Jan. 10

Thirty years ago, Springfield’s historic business districts were all but abandoned in favor of shopping malls and suburban development. Now, Center City is once again the vibrant hub of retail, entertainment, dining, arts and urban living. Much of this amazing turnaround is due to the work of Urban Districts Alliance and its successful marketing efforts, including the popular “It’s All Downtown” campaign. UDA Executive Director Rusty Worley will show how cooperative branding, advertising and promotions are creating economic vitality in the heart of our community.

This month’s program will also feature brief presentations by nominees for AAF of the Ozarks’ 2010 Jane Meyer Award for best nonprofit advertising/PSA campaign. Nominees include Care to Learn, Springfield Workshop, and Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks. The audience will have the opportunity to vote for this year’s award winner. Join us in recognizing the contributions of area nonprofits, as well as the creative professionals and media organizations who help to ensure that their messages reach the community.

Start the new year right with AAF, and see how the ad industry promotes positive change. Reserve your space now, and pass the word about this valuable program!