This semester has been very busy for me – more so than previous fall semesters – in terms of travel. I just got back from the PRSA Conference in Atlanta where I presented our published work on infographics. It was a great conference overall and many wonderful memories and insights from leading PR professionals and friends.
There were several highlights for me from the PRSA Conference I wanted to share with you all:
Your reputation can proceed you
I love catching up with colleagues and friends in the PR field. I had a chance to run into several friends of mine who were at the conference with their PRSSA chapters, and it was great catching up with them.
However, several of my friends mentioned they had students who had been following me on social media who wanted to meet me. I was like – WOW! That’s so cool and I am always up to meeting great students!
It was also great to have coffee meetings with fellow professors and talk not only about what we are doing in our research and classes, but what we can do to move the profession forward and mentor future leaders in our industry. We have some truly remarkable people in our field and I walked away from each meeting inspired, motivated, and ready to take on the next steps in research and in my classes.
Understanding and appreciating the power of virtual networking
I think more of this needs to happen in our field. It was wonderful to see the results of this first hand at the PRSA Conference. Mentorship – along with research and teaching – is crucial for our field to evolve and advance. The more we can do to help each other with teaching ideas, research brainstorming sessions, and taking the time to do virtual introductions, is key for all of us to consider doing for our students and colleagues.
Listening to true leaders in the industry sharing insights and strategies
I had a chance to hear some amazing presentations while I was in Atlanta. I got a chance to see how to look at political campaigns and apply the same strategies and insights using listening strategies from Josh Ginsberg of Zignal Labs (great presentation!).
Also, hearing from PR and social media leaders such as Lee Odden and Michael Brito was very cool – two of the best in the business! Their insights into content marketing and influencer strategy were great to hear. Plus, it was great to catch up with both again! Great seeing you both in Atlanta, Lee and Michael!
Seeing emerging tools and brands firsthand
If you have not followed or checked out Zignal Labs, you need to. This is an awesome resource and listening/monitoring tool to look into. I have been corresponding with the team (who are all very responsive and awesome to chat with in person and online), and I am very impressed with their vision and presence in this industry.
They were at PRSA, and I had a chance to not only check out their Social Media Command Center (all I can say is – WOW!), but I was very impressed how they engaged and talked with my fellow PR professor friends. I tried to tell everyone I could to check them out and I really appreciated the time Jason and Tim of Zignal Labs took to share their product.
The Power of Meeting Friends in Person from Social Media
A MAJOR highlight for me. Words can’t describe how fabulous this was for me! For the past few years, I have had a social media bucket list where I made a list of all of the people I have corresponded for years with who I wanted to meet in person.
Well, the PRSA conference allowed me to do just that! 🙂 I had a chance to finally meet two of the best people I know in social media in person after years of correspondence. This was a true highlight for me across the board. I had a chance to meet with Chris Yandle (AD from Georgia Tech) and Deirdre Breakenridge (a super, super amazing PR professional).
I first started following Deirdre years ago when I first got into social media and PR, and I actually did a study on her for my social media influencer study. We started corresponding via email and Twitter, which lead to Skype virtual chats and guest lectures. Deirdre is absolutely amazing – truly an inspiration for professors, professionals, and students to follow!!
Chris and I have been Twitter/FB/LinkedIn/Instagram friends for years. If you follow the #SMSports conversations on social media, Chris always is engaged and generous with his insights and perspectives. We had a chance to talk on the phone a while ago and talk about teaching, which Chris is currently doing at the moment. Chris is indeed a must follow in sports and social media, and if you haven’t checked out his podcast, you got to!
I was super thrilled and beyond excited to finally meet two friends who truly have made my time in social media extra amazing for PR and Social Media and Sports. I met with Chris and Deirdre and they are exactly how they are online – smart, amazing, talented, and super supportive to the field and future professionals rising up the ranks. Thank you Deirdre and Chris for taking the time to meet with me over coffee!
Summary
Overall, I had a great time in Atlanta and the PRSA Conference was a wonderful experience to meet fellow colleagues, meet new friends, engage in insightful conversations, and be inspired to apply what I have learned from some of the best in the business.
Thank you PRSA and Atlanta for being a great host! Thoroughly enjoyed my experience and I look forward to attending and presenting at future conferences.
Hope you all are having a great day!
Best Wishes,
