Starting today, the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) begins its annual Sunrise Seminar series. This year’s theme is “Building Buffalo” – a theme that appears to be on everyone’s bucket list these days. In traditional PRSA fashion, the series is based upon Buffalo’s ability in the realm of communications and public relations.
How are we doing? What can we be doing to improve our skills, resources and strategies? According the PRSA, the crux of the four programs revolve around “government and public affairs to social media and tourism marketing (perfect timing), as well as perspectives from specialty media to the way that new buildings can define a new vision for the city.”
“What better time than right now to learn by examining the momentum in downtown Buffalo,” said Tony Astran, APR, 2014 President of PRSA Buffalo Niagara Chapter. “We’ve brought together a diverse and impressive mix of communication leaders throughout the city, and invite the entire region to join in these discussions.”
Today’s program Aug. 6, (sorry it’s a bit late to be posting this one, but there are three more on consecutive Wednesdays) Building Buffalo: Government and Public Affairs Communication.
More to come on August 13, 20 and 27 from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, 665 Main St., Suite 200, Buffalo, NY, 14203. Register online at www.prsabuffaloniagara.org or call 716-508-0277.
The rest of the four-part series goes something like this:
Wednesday, August 13 – Building Buffalo: Marketing Buffalo through Social Media (click here)
This session will focus on marketing Buffalo through social media networks and features a diverse group of practitioners.
Discussion topics include:
• A look at Buffalo’s selling points
• Overcoming stereotypes when dealing with people from outside Buffalo
• Success stories from the ‘city of good neighbors’
• The excitement presented to communications professionals due to Buffalo’s resurgence
• Conveying the excitement of Buffalo’s resurgence through social media
Speakers include:
• Peter Burakowski, Senior Marketing Manager, 43North
• Steve Cichon, President and CEO, Buffalo Stories LLC
• Marti Gorman, Executive Director, Buffalo Citybration
• Ed Healy, Vice President of Marketing, Visit Buffalo Niagara
Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Building Buffalo: Perspectives on Specialty Media (click here)
This program discusses how to reach diverse audiences throughout the City and and beyond and brings together experts from local specialty publications. This session – part presentation, part panel discussion, part Q&A – presents public relations professionals with an opportunity to learn what matters most to niche populations and how to better communicate with them.
Speakers include:
• Eva Doyle, Columnist, Buffalo Criterion
• Ellen Goldstein, APR, Managing Editor, Jewish Journal of WNY
• Tim Moran, Editor, OutCome Buffalo
• Edwin Martinez, Owner, Panorama Hispano
Wednesday, Aug. 27: Building Buffalo: Building (and Rebuilding) Buffalo (click here)
From HarborCenter and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus to the Hotel Lafayette and several downtown loft conversions, high-profile building projects are reshaping Buffalo and paving the way for its resurgence. Hear from a panel of expert public relations leaders who are promoting these exciting new development projects and helping to define a new vision for Buffalo.
Discussion topics include:
• An overview of various development and construction projects occurring around the city and their impact on its economic vitality.
• How panelists create, package and share key messages about these important projects to the public and key stakeholders.
• In turn, how those messages and projects are shaping a collective vision for Buffalo’s future.
Moderator:
• Patrick Finan, Founder/Principal, Block Club; Co-Founder, City Dining Cards
Speakers include:
• Erin Carmina, Director of Business Development, Marketing and Public Relations, Carmina Wood Morris PC
• Ellen Goldbaum, Senior Medical Editor, University at Buffalo
• Don Heins, Communications Manager, HarborCenter
In-person registration begins at 7:45 a.m. each Wednesday. A special “bundle package” is on sale now, allowing members to attend all four sessions for $50 and non-members to attend for $110. Individual session costs are $25 for members, $40 for nonmembers, free for PRSSA students, and $15 for non-PRSSA students. Prices will be discounted at $10 a ticket for those who register during designated early-bird time frames. Please visit www.prsabuffaloniagara.org to check deadlines for early bird registration.
A light continental breakfast will be provided for each session. Parking has been arranged at St. Michael’s Church (651 Washington St, Buffalo 14203), across from the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. It is easiest to enter the lot from behind the church, on Ellicott Street
*As an FYI, today’s program featured the following:
Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Building Buffalo: Government and Public Affairs Communication
Participants will engage in a panel discussion about how public relations and communication professionals can effectively work with local leaders to help them promote the City’s resurgence and how these leaders’ own communication teams deliver the message of Buffalo’s growth to the community and beyond. Learn about the inside track to government and public affairs communication – including career paths, best practices for reaching local leaders, and shared visions for Buffalo’s continued renaissance.
Speakers include:
• Peter Anderson, Press Secretary for Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz
• Theresa Kennedy, Communications Director, Rep. Brian Higgins
• Earl V. Wells III, President, e3communications