Conference

ImPRessionsCreating Currents:

SurfingtheWavesofChange

2009 National Conference

2009-2010 Executive Board

Heather MacdonaldPresident

Sarah Page Vice President

Drew SlaterDirector of Marketing

Lauren BallardDirector of Special Events

Athena MontesDirector of Interal Communications

Yolanda RoblesDirector of Finances

Kimberly BrimmImPRessions Editor-In -Chief

Special Edition

PR

The PRSSA 2009 National Conference, “Creating Currents: Surfing the Waves of Change,” promises to be a fun-filled educa-tional experience that will leave attendees with insight into the profession and new connections with students and professionals from all around the United States.

The sessions and workshops will provide you with a useful and insightful look into the different aspects of public relations and the changes that face the profession. Expert and diverse professionals will offer their experi-ence with, media relations and entertain-ment, international, fashion, crisis manage-ment and health care public relations. Be sure to bring your resumes and business cards for the career development and net-working workshops.

November 6-10

National Conference Special Edition

During your free time, be sure to get out and explore beautiful San Diego. San Diego offers a wide variety of things to do ranging from the San Diego Zoo, Sea World and an array of beautiful beaches.

National Conference is a chance for you to get first hand knowledge of the public relations profession and the industry it serves.

InportantThingstoKnow

Keep Copies: Photocopy all documents — including passport, credit cards and tickets — before leaving home and store copies in the hotel safe.

On the Road: Carry only the cash you need in small denominations and never discuss in public your plans or the amount of money you are carrying. Hotel/Motel Security: Never leave money, checks, credit cards, jewelry, other valuables, extra room keys or car keys in the room. Take valuables with you or leave them in the hotel safety deposit box.

Sightseeing: Visitors are major targets for pickpockets in many cities. Stay alert to what’s going on around you.

Conferences: Establish a “buddy” system with another attendee of the conference, share schedules and check on each other periodically.

Homeless Citizens: San Diego, like every major city, has a homeless population but this need not prevent you from enjoying the city’s amenities. Most home-less people are harmless; however, some transients are chronic law violators. We suggest using a combination of caution and respect around panhandlers and other strangers.

Courtesy of The San Diego Convention Center and Visitors Bureau

Getting Around

By Metropolitan Transit System By TaxiTrolley• Trolley to downtown stati ons only $1.25• Trolley to other stops $1.50-$3BusThe bus systems can get you nearly everywhere in the city.You can fi nd bus stops every few blocks on major streets.You must have correct change or present your day passwhen you enter the bus.• Shutt le $1• Local $2• Urban $2.25• Express $2.50• Premium Express $5

By TaxiSan Diego Cab (619) 226-TAXI (8294)• From SD Airport to Holiday Inn Downtown,approximately $10 (including gratuity)• $2.60 per mileOrange Cab of San Diego (619) 291-3333• Charge by the vehicle, not per personYellow Cab Co. (619) 239-8061•$2.60 per mile and the meter starts at $2.40SD Yellow Cabs Inc. (619) 234-6161


When I first joined PRSSA I didn’t know what to expect. I just decided to double major, and was as clueless as a freshman on her first day of classes. It was September of last year when I walked into open house and first heard about National Conference in Detroit. I knew very little about the organization and none of the people but, it was my goal to attend every meeting and outside event. Within weeks I was one of the sixteen students from USF attending the 2008 National Conference in Detroit, Michigan.

As I was sitting in the back of a taxi cab driving through rush hour traffic downtown, all I could think of was “what on earth was I getting myself into!” I had no idea what to expect. I took this opportunity to get to know the executive board and other members who were on the trip that I didn’t know very well.

My expectations before national conference were very vague. The only thing on my mind was to network, network and network! I had no idea this trip was going to change my entire college career. My experience at conference surpassed my expectations. As a new student to public relations, there is very little you learn when in college. It’s all about the experience you learn outside of the class-room.

Over the four days I attended conference I learned about crisis, sports and entertainment public

relations. I even got to sit in with Brazen blogger Penelope Trunk and Craig Newmark the founder and CEO of the popular website Craigslist. I cannot explain how this experience changed my entire career path. Also being a political science major as well, I had no idea what exactly what I was going to do with my major. I didn’t know if I wanted to proceed with law school or enter political communications. I re-member taking notes on my first program with guest speaker Jeffrey Douglas, who was the director of Public relations at Virginia Tech when the massacre occurred in 2007. His speech was my deciding factor on why I wanted to be in public relations and why our field is so important. “We must feed something to the media or else they will find something,” stated Doug-las.

When I think back to a year ago, I still have the chills remembering how I felt the day I left. My over-all experience leaving Detroit was amazing. I learned more about public relations outsidein thoswe four days, than I have in the last four years of college. I cannot express why an experience like a national con-ference is so important. My choice to attend national conference was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my college career!

National Conference: A chance to grow and learn from professionals and peers


An attendee from last year’ confernece shares her experience and what she learned

What to pack What to Wear


From the National Conference Committee

California State University, Fullerton, and San Diego State University welcome you to the coastal side of public relations, where the surf is smooth and the skies are clear. We invite you to take full advantage of Con-ference and soak up your public relations potential at our sessions, socials and career exhibition.

The 2009 National Conference Committee has devel-oped this Conference with you and your future in mind. The sessions we chose are as diverse as public rela-tions itself. From public affairs to sports and entertain-ment, you will discover new interests as national public relations professionals share their secrets, tactics and advice.

Though learning from the pros is top priority at Confer-ence, nothing can beat the memorable times you’ll have at our dynamic socials designed for student network-ing. Be sure to arrive early to the sessions and bring a notebook and business cards to exchange with students and professionals. We hope to provide everyone with the best tools and opportunities to establish relationships and put you in the spotlight for the career of your dreams. We appreci-ate you traveling to San Diego and hope you find your stay as bright as the California sun.

Best of luck, and we wish everyone success,

The 2009 National Conference Committee


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