A Look Back on BU's #PRAdvanced
For me PRSSA isn’t about networking, it’s about conversing with like-minded students who happen to be interested in the same field of study and profession as me. Through our PRSSA chapter we were invited to Boston University’s #PRAdvanced conference held on their campus, February 23rd. Cara and I made our way to Boston that weekend and enjoyed a jam-packed Saturday full of industry insight.
BU PRSSA did a great job organizing the conference. Two key takeaways from the day were lessons in event planning.
Theme the conference. Makes easy hashtags. Sets a tone.
Add an activity during downtime. Keeps people busy and focused on the conference. Helps attendees comfortably meet new people.
Cara, NYU PRSSA VP of Professional Development, making 'get well soon' cards for children in a nearby hospital.
Here are some sound bites from the day that really made an impression on me.
“Effective marketing is what’s relevant to the consumer, the brand brings value to that.” -Rob Flaherty, CEO & Senior Partner of Ketchum
“Be real. Be generous. Give first. Get second.” –Steve Quigley, BU Public Relations Professor on video-guru Steve Garfield
“Create what people want to see.” -Steve Garfield, Boston Media Makers
“Being in a big city is only an advantage if you think it’s an advantage.”-Alison Morris, Marketing & Social Media at Springpad
"Just know that there is no career-path that’s set in stone. You really make your own journey.” -Rachel Sprung, Brand & Buzz Coordinator at Hubspot
“PR is ‘influencer marketing.’” –Susan Baba, Procter and Gamble
Loved how fearless and straight-forward the day's speakers were. Sometimes it's hard to derive meaning from theoretical concepts or idealistic notions about communications, but the speakers left me with a sense that I had gained tangible advice ready to be put to use in the real world.
*For a more in-depth look search #PRAdvanced on Twitter or follow me at @gentry_b!
