Recap by PRSA-CIEC President Karen Bergh and WDC Chair Diane Martin

The Inland Empire Chapter served as host to more than 135 PR professionals who converged in sunny Palm Springs for the PRSA Western District Conference on April 28-30, 2010. PR colleagues from home chapters in five states enjoyed networking and popular professional development topics amid the stunning surrounds of the Riviera Resort and Spa.The hotel and its conference center thankfully lived up to its "legendary" status by providing guest-pleasing hospitality, food and AV support!

With jam-packed breakout sessions, popular social media topics were standing room only. We discussed Octomom, LGBT outreach, and grassroots community building. We even debated the role of PR staff in developing content for social media forums.  Our keynote speaker, Mark Weiner, author of "Unleashing the Power of PR" and CEO of Prime Research talked about the difference between value and ROI in public relations and more.

Links to the presentations are posted on the Western District blogsite. Also, be sure to check out the slideshow of the entire event at this online photo gallery. If you want to review the play-by-play action by those who "tweeted" while in attendance at the Conference, check out the Twitter feed at #prsawdc.

We are very grateful to all the sponsors, supporters and volunteers who enabled us to develop a superb professional development program. Special thanks to the conference planning committee! 

May 19, 2010
Damage Control: Why everything you know about crisis management is wrong.

PRSA board member Mike Bacich will be discussing the book, "Damage Control--Why everything you know about crisis management is wrong." (Denzenhall)

Bacich

Mike will also lead a real-life discussion about the erroneous attack on Riverside Public Utilities' (RPU) water quality at the end of 2009 and how RPU responded to it.

Mike, who serves as Marketing manager and sustainability officer for RPU, is responsible for coordination of all media and public communications aswell as water and energy conservation programs, grants, rebates and      educational outreach.

More importantly, Mike has a great sense of humor. So if you want to learn while you laugh, don't miss this event. Click here to register.

JUNE 23, 2010
Join the Inland Empire chapter of Public Relations Society of America at our June  luncheon, which is being held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. This month's luncheon features insights from the world of sports marketing from the experts at one of the Inland area's premier sporting venues.

This month's event also includes an exciting opportunity for Inland Empire businesses, non-profits and entrepreneurs. Get your public relations questions addressed by veteran practitioners at an affordable and unique event -- skybox consulting with PRSA!

Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Public Relations Consultations 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

If you are a business owner or the manager of a non-profit organization, and you have a public relations question, this affordable event is for you! Spend time with an experienced local Public Relations professional in a fun environment during a one-hour "speed consulting" session at the skyboxes of the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

Serious economic upheaval and rapid technological changes are creating more public relations questions than ever for business owners and others who are responsible for sustaining and growing their own particular endeavor. How do I deal with the media? I want to get involved with social media, but where do I start? What sorts of ideas should I be considering when presenting my company's face to the public?

Effective public relations counsel takes time but this event can get you off to a great start. And you cannot beat the price for this level of practitioner. Choose from a "think tank" of veterans who are donating their time to help strengthen the Inland Empire business and non-profit communities.

Take a break "from the business" to work "on the business" while overlooking the beautiful infield of the Inland Empire's premier race track. Members of the Public Relations Society of America will help you get "on track" and speeding towards the finish line and a more profitable future.

$25.00 Members: Buffet Lunch Only
$35.00 after June 21

$35.00 Non Member: Buffet Lunch Only
$45.00 after June 21

$35.00 Consultation Only
$45.00 after June 21

$60.00 Consultation & Buffet Lunch
$70.00 after June 21 

To participate in "speed consulting in the skybox," you must RSVP! Consulting event is limited to first 30 attendees.

Register now. Plus, send the following information via email:

Your name, title, company
Industry or field
The #1 Public Relations problem you want to discuss with a PRSA consultant during your hour at the AutoClub Speedway Skybox

A Note from the Western District Chair Thanks you so much for being a part of this year's PRSA Western District Conference. I wanted to alert you to the posting of the conference presentations on the Western District blog. In addition, if you are interested in the participant feedback, you can request results from the post-conference survey via email.

Please mark your calendars for next year to join the host Las Vegas chapter at The Venetian in Las Vegas, April 27-29, 2011 . Stay tuned to the Western District blog for sponsorship, speaker, and registration information in the coming months.

Thank you and see you next year!

Nancy C. Syzdek, APR
PRSA Western District Chair 

Western District Conference Testimonials
(PRSA-CIEC served as host chapter)

I want to acknowledge the Inland Empire and Western District Board Members for programming a great conference. Job well done!

I'm delighted to share that I got great value out of the programs and networking. I've posted a series of "what you missed" with a save-the-date for the 2011 WD Conf on the PRSA-LA Facebook page.

I encourage other chapters to do the same...PR colleagues (members/non-members) need to know that they missed very relevant and meaningful professional programming and should be encouraged to attend next year in Vegas.

Diane, Karen, Nancy and Team - congratulations and thanks for selecting such a great hotel/resort. The Riviera was superb!

Brian O'Connor
CUNARD LINE

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First, let me add to the "WAH-HOO, Diane and crew!" Congrats everyone to creating a rewarding and valuable experience. Thank you; I had a fine time.

Karen Bradford
PRSA-CIEC Board Member and Entrepreneur
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It was an AWESOME conference in every way! Venue - awesome! Presentations - awesome! Networking - awesome! The Western District...Works for me. :) 

Jane Dvorak, APR

While at times the amount of emails from PRSA (locally and from the national organization) is annoying, the Issues & Trends information that is supplied by "National" was reduced to digestible emails earlier this year based on themes based on member preferences. If you aren't currently receiving any of these, or you want to adjust the flow of info. to your own Inbox, here is the information you need!

To ensure that you receive Issues & Trends, you must change your communications options in MyPRSA if you have not already opted in to receive this publication. To do so:

1. Log in to MyPRSA.
2. Click the "E-Mail Preferences" tab.
3. Check the box next to "PR Issues and Trends."
4. Click "submit." 

If you need assistance with MyPRSA, let staff members know at helpdesk@prsa.org and they will gladly help you out.

PRSSA students at California State University - San Bernardino are organizing an event to benefit the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation,  which helps single parents who are caring for a child with a catastrophic illness. The "Project Reverberate" event is being held at the Target Terrace at LA Live! on Wednesday, June 2, with music by Kara Aubrey, a young rock singer popular with the 18 - 30 crowd. The event is being catered by Wolfgang Puck's organization, and all proceeds go to benefit and raise awareness for the Foundation. Individual tickets are $30 and can be purchased online. Donations can also be made without attending the event.