AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Austin chapter announces early-bird registration, a call for sponsors and a distinguished lineup of speakers, including an opening keynote from award-winning speaker and columnist Dave Lieber, for the 2013 PRSA Southwest District Conference, ‘Keep PR Weird.’
Former journalist of 38 years, Dave Lieber will open the conference as keynote, with a series of engaging, industry-relevant discussions to follow. The event will take place June 5-7, 2013 in the heart of Austin at the Omni Hotel downtown. The conference will host PRSA members and non-members from the following states: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Aligning with the city of Austin’s moniker, Keep Austin Weird, the conference will encourage innovation, diversity, creativity and individualism; attributes that are as important to the city of Austin as they are to the evolving world of public relations (PR). The Keep PR Weird theme sheds light on different and new ways for PR professionals to gain exposure, embrace new technologies and tools and explore creative strategies to improve results.
“We are thrilled to host this year’s Southwest District Conference and welcome our fellow districts with open arms,” said Katie Schaeffer, PRSA Austin President. “We are proud of our ‘weird’ city, and as it booms, so does Austin’s PR community. This growth brings new ideas and innovations that create the ideal energy for a ‘Keep PR Weird’ conference.”
Keynote speaker Dave Lieber promises to teach attendees how to craft pitches as emotional stories, and implement his proven formula immediately. As a veteran journalist, he has “heard every kind of pitch imaginable,” says Lieber, “but none better than those resulting from the ‘The Magic V-Shaped Storytelling Formula.’” Lieber will share this winning technique at the conference, with an interactive workshop following his presentation.
Additional topics and speakers that promise to “keep it weird” include:
- Tackling the future of the PR classroom with University of Texas at Austin’s Terry Hemeyer, Senior Lecturer and Baylor University’s Marlene Neill, Ph.D., APR
- Blazing the campaign trail with Burson-Marsteller’s Jenifer Sarver, Chief of Staff to Karen Hughes, Global Vice Chair & General Manager
- Growing your personal brand and your agency’s brand from scratch with Giant Noise’ Elaine Garza, Principal
- Mastering community engagement and non-profits with Health Alliance for Austin Musicians’ Carolyn Schwarz, Executive Director
- Managing a crisis with the LIVESTRONG Foundation’s Katherine McLane, VP of Communications
- Developing your career with Savage Consulting’s own Valerie Savage
Conference sponsors include Business Wire, CRI Research, INK Public Relations, MemberClicks, Porter Novelli, and the PRSA Southwest District Board. Additional sponsorship spots are still available for interested companies whose cultures align with the public relations industry.
Early bird registration is now open for members ($199) and non-members ($299) until March 31st, so register today! For more information on a conference that promises surprise, interaction and value, please visit our conference website (prsaswconf.org), follow us on Twitter (@prsaaustin), like us on Facebook or send us an email at SWDConference@prsa.austin.org.
About PRSA
PRSA is the largest professional organization serving the U.S. public relations community. Based in New York, PRSA comprises 111 local Chapters; 14 Professional Interest Sections that focus on specific industries and practice areas; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which is active at more than 320 colleges and universities.