8:30 to 9:00 a.m. — Breakfast and Registration
Richard Scaletta, Superintendent, GMSD
Marissa Orbanek, Public Relations Director, GMSD
9:00 to 9:45 a.m. — Community Engagement and Storytelling to Create the McLane Advantage: Adapting for School Choice
Just a few years ago, General McLane School District did not even have public relations on its radar. Today, it’s a fundamental part of everything the District does. What changed? And why?
9:45 to 10:00 a.m. — Open Discussion: What are the Biggest Challenges in your Field?
Dr. Anthony Peyronel, Edinboro University
Karrie Bowen, Penn State Behrend
Brian Sheridan, Mercyhurst University
10:00 to 10:45 a.m. — PANEL: Adjusting and Staying Relevant as PR Educators
Public relations and marketing communications are fields that change and evolve, quite literally, each and every day. For the sake of the students, it’s imperative that PR educators stay up to date on the latest trends in the field. Three local professors will discuss how they do just that.
10:45 to 11:00 a.m. — Open Discussion: What is the Most Creative Campaign You’ve Done?
Mary Solberg, Associate Director of Communications, Editor, Diocese of Erie
Joel Natalie, Regional Development Leader, McLane Church
Jess Burkell, Central Communications, Grace Church
11:00 to 11:45 a.m. — PANEL: Churches, Communications, and Creativity
Strong communications are key for church and religious groups, especially when it comes to interacting with members. Three of Erie’s best religious communicators discuss how they go about making communications a top priority.
11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. — Open Discussion: How to Spur Creativity at your Organzation?
Bill Zimmerman, Social Media Manager, Penn State University
KEYNOTE LUNCH TALK
12:00 to 1:20 p.m. — Social at State: Best Practices From Happy Valley
400,000, 164,000, 92,000. Those numbers mean anything to you? They represent Penn State’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram followers, and to Bill Zimmerman, those numbers are everything. Join Zimmerman as he discusses the strategies and best practices he and his staff use to ensure Penn State stays on top of the conversation.
Ed Stevens, Chairman and CEO, Stevens Strategic Communications
1:30 to 2:15 p.m. — Conducting a Marketing Communications Audit
Everyone always wants to believe they’re doing a great job with marketing communications, but wouldn’t it be nice to know for sure? Join longtime PR and communications pro Ed Stevens as he walks through the steps of conducting a marketing communications audit for your organization or business.
2:15 to 2:30 p.m. — Open Discussion: How do you Get Others in your Organization to Embrace your Idea or Vision?
RJ and Jamie Messenger, Owners, Iron Empire Clothing
2:30 to 3:15 p.m. — Building an Empire: The Rise of Erie’s Iron Empire Clothing
Iron Empire Clothing isn’t just a brand, it’s a way of life. It’s thinking like that that has helped Iron Empire become one of Erie’s fastest-growing businesses. Join co-owners RJ and Jamie Messenger as they discuss the branding and marketing techniques they have utilized to help Iron Empire grow from just an idea into, well, an empire.
3:15 p.m. to ??? — ICE CREAM SOCIAL 🙂
