Ch-ch-ch-changes

The Regional Activity is less than a month away! Have you registered?

We have two important changes to our onference schedule (pardon me for the Bowie reference - or don't).

1) The happy hour sponsored by PRSA has changed to a social later that evening at the new Turnbull Center at UO Portland. Transportation will be provided.

2) The New Professionals Summit is now Thursday, May 8, two days after the Regional Activity, as opposed to the day after. The event is now half-day.

The Communicators Conference is still Wednesday and Thursday, May 7 and 8, beginning the day after the Regional Activity. At $300 for two days, your laundry money won't cover the cost of attendance (don't show up smelling of sweaty gym socks), but the organizers say the quality is on par with a national conference. Plus, you get to hear the hilarious Joel Stein keynote the conference! Discounts are available for volunteers. If you're interested, contact our Regional Activity Director, Beth Evans, for more information.

The new conference schedule is as follows:

Conference Schedule* - Tuesday, May 6

9 a.m. – noon: Career Tours
Agencies, in-house PR and media outlets

12:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.: Lunch with Keynote Speaker, Kyle Warnick

2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Portland Paddle
The Portland Paddle is an annual event organized by the UO Chapter Vice President and the School of Journalism and Communication’s career counselor. UO PRSSA will pair professionals from several North Pacific states with student attendees for one-on-one informational interviews.

2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Career Fair

5:30 p.m.: Social sponsored by PRSA at Turnbull Center

*schedule subject to (more) change

Kyle Warnick to Keynote Regional Activity

We are pleased to announce that Kyle Warnick, PR Manager for Microsoft Surface, will be our keynote speaker.

Kyle Warnick joined the Surface team in July 2006 as the senior marketing communications manager. He is responsible for directing and handling all the PR, marketing and branding communication strategies for Microsoft Surface™, Microsoft’s first surface computer, and the surface computing category at Microsoft.

He has previously worked for T-Mobile USA as a corporate spokesperson and medial relations and internal communications specialist, and founded his own PR consultancy firm, Chapter 2, where he directed all PR efforts for a variety of technology and non-profit clients. He is experienced in conducting statewide, national and international PR programs for technology and non-profit clients.

We're honored to have Kyle as our keynote speaker. Check out Kyle's entries on the Surface blog. Then hear what the Northwest native has to say about PR, networking, and what it's like to work for a multinational technology corporation on May 6!

Calling all online shoppers

Ladies and gentlemen, we're finally online.

The Regional Activity's online registration and Web site are up and running!

Early bird prices are $30 for PRSSA members and $50 for non-members. Follow the same registration link to register for the PRSA Portland Communicator's Conference, held May 7 and 8, the two days after the Regional Activity.

Press a few keys, click the check out, and drop some professional development in your cart.

The Stage is Set

The Regional Activity is less than three months away!

We've been putting the ax to the grindstone these past few weeks, despite midterms and beckoning rays of sunshine (few and far between in Duckland), to bring you the best possible conference. Our webmeister is rapidly typing code for the conference site, our director is busily ironing out all the kinks for online registration, our sponsorship committee is coordinating funds, and our other members are planning all the details of lodging, transportation, and conference programs. Me? I'm trying to get the word out.

So what will the conference entail? For those of you who've already marked May 6 on your calendars (or for those who haven't yet), check out our updated conference schedule below. We're planning on a busy, but exciting, day!

Conference Schedule* - Tuesday, May 6

9 a.m. – noon: Career Tours
Agencies, in-house PR and media outlets

12:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.: Lunch with Keynote Speaker

2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Portland Paddle
The Portland Paddle is an annual event organized by the UO Chapter Vice President and the School of Journalism and Communication’s career counselor. UO PRSSA will pair professionals from several North Pacific states with student attendees for one-on-one informational interviews.

2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Career Fair

5:30 p.m.: Happy Hour sponsored by PRSA

*schedule subject to change

The 2008 Northwest Regional Activity Awaits You

Tired of stumbling through a forest of job postings? Unsure where the post-graduation trek will lead you? Take a straight path to success with a Regional Activity!

The University of Oregon is thrilled to host its Regional Activity, “Northwest Networking: Hiking Toward PR Success,” Tuesday, May 6 at the Holiday Inn in Portland, Ore.

This inaugural event will feature agency tours, lunch with a keynote speaker, a career fair and informational interviews with PR professionals from the around the country.

While in Portland, take some time to immerse yourself in this burgeoning metropolis. Home to some of the nation’s largest companies, such as Nike, Intel and Columbia Sportswear, Portland is a growing city bustling with young professionals. The city is also world-renowned for its outdoor adventures, music and natural beauty. Where else can you enjoy a microbrew and a view of snow-capped Mt. Hood while listening to the hottest new indie band? Only in the Northwest!

The Professional Communicator's Conference, held the two days after the Regional Activity, will also attract professionals who have agreed to come a day early to attend the Regional Activity. Come to enhance your resume, visit with prospective employers and learn about the public relations profession, all while enjoying the “City of Roses.”

Your career is only steps away.