Annual Conference

Registration Now Open for PRSA Georgia’s 18th Annual Conference: A New Era

Friday, February 16, 2024

Join us at the Georgia Tech Conference Center and Hotel on Friday, February 16, for a conference you don’t want to miss. This marquee event brings leading communications pros together with students from around the Southeast for informative and interactive sessions, professional development and top-notch networking, as well as cross-generational perspectives on the public relations, communications and marketing fields.

Our interactive sessions address the challenges facing the industry at all levels, including mid-level to seasoned professionals, young professionals and PR students ready to jumpstart their careers. Attendees can expect topical, insightful programming for professionals and students alike.

Space is limited — reserve your spot today!

Registration:
Early Bird Deadline: January 8
Regular Registration Deadline: January 26

Late Registration Deadline: February 15

Conference Theme:
This year’s theme plays on how communications has evolved as an industry, merging proven and new capabilities across all channels. It’s “A New Era” for professionals. As we explore the communications of tomorrow, this year’s conference will highlight keynotes and workshops, giving attendees key takeaways to use now.

Join us at the 2024 Annual Conference to connect again in-person, sharpen your skills and be part of PRSA Georgia’s legacy.

Conference Overview:
This year the main stage features two general sessions touching on the current industry landscape and AI.

Complementing the general sessions are a series of four breakouts exploring corporate social responsibility, all things social media, DEI, shoestring budgets and more. Students may also attend educational sessions about types of PR and soft skills. Attendees will further have the opportunity to connect with PR thought leaders in sessions such as APR orientation and crisis management.

The 2024 Annual Conference will continue the networking tradition with three 15-minute breaks and a networking lunch.

Sponsorship opportunities are available! Please email sponsorships@prsageorgia.org or reach out to Victoria Stanton.

Conference Schedule

7:45–8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast

8:30–8:45 a.m. Welcome – Chapter President Daniel Groce

8:45–9:45 a.m. Salon I, II, III — Keynote: Molly McPherson

9:45–10:00 a.m. Break 

10:00–11:00 a.m. Breakout Session 1

  • Conference C — APR Orientation
  • Conference B — Influencer Relations
  • Conference D — Government Communications

11:00–11:15 a.m. Break

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Breakout Session 2

  • Conference C — Student Session: Skills needed for your early career
  • Conference D — Enacting and Communicating CSR Initiatives
  • Conference B — Fireside Chat: Internal Communications

12:15–1:15 p.m. Networking Lunch / Career Fair

1:15–2:15 p.m. Breakout Session 3

  • Conference B — AI and PR
  • Conference C — Student Session: The Varying Types of PR
  • Conference D — What’s New and What’s to Come in Atlanta’s Hospitality & Tourism Market

2:15–2:30 p.m. Break

2:30–3:30 p.m.
Breakout Session 4

  • Conference D — Crisis Confidential: Pro Tips: How to Approach Your Company’s Crises with Confidence
  • Conference B — All Things Social Media

3:30–3:45 p.m. Break

3:45–4:45 p.m. General Session (Ending Keynote)

  • Salon I, II, III — Fireside with the Falcons

Programming

The 18th Annual PRSA GA Conference will kick off with a keynote address from renowned PR expert Molly McPherson. Throughout the day, choose from a variety of breakout sessions covering topics from soft skills for students to expert-level crisis communications.

Keynote Speaker – Molly McPherson, APR

Molly McPherson, APR-certified PR expert and author of ‘Indestructible: Reclaim Control and Respond with Confidence in a Media Crisis,’ is renowned for blending crisis management with cultural discourse. She hosts the “Indestructible PR® Podcast” and has been a pivotal figure in shaping FEMA’s digital media presence and managing media for the cruise line industry during major events. A sought-after media commentator, her insights have been featured on NBC News, ABC’s Impact x Nightline, Access Hollywood, and in publications like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Molly was also one of the few reporters on a boat during the search for JFK Jr.’s plane off Martha’s Vineyard, an experience she plans to discuss soon. She is a recipient of the 2023 Adweek Creative Visionary Award, a Forbes.com contributor, and holds an M.S. in Mass Communication from Boston University.

APR Orientation
APR Orientation So, you want to be a rock star? No, not the Taylor Swift/Beyoncé/Dolly Parton type, but the star the CEO calls upon with a communications challenge to conquer.

If you are in that arena, join us center stage for a life-changing production.

From research to implementation, planning to evaluation – come prepared to step-up-to-the-mic and find your moment by learning the universally accredited 10-step methodology to perfect communications planning.

Elyse Hammett, APR, Fellow PRSA, leads the national accreditation marketing program for all 52 Chapters of PRSA. Her “famous” Plan-On-A-Page framework is now incorporated into the 2024 Certificate in Principles in Public Relations requirements, and she has used this rock star method to earn business from Fortune 50’s, national nonprofits and billionaire philanthropists.

Featuring

  • Elyse Hammett, APR, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

Influencer Relations
Listen to industry experts discuss how to integrate influencers into your PR campaigns in order to extend your message from traditional to social media.

Featuring

  • Moderator: Rebecca Ayer, Digital Communications Coordinator, University of Georgia
  • Meredith Pierce, Vice President, The Wilbert Group
  • Kate Weaver, West Coast Office Lead, Jackson Spalding
  • Micah Lillard, Public Relations Manager, McDonald’s

Student Session: Skills Needed For Your Early Career
Before you graduate and get your first job, it is important to focus on the soft skills you will need to succeed. Learn about the skills that will help set you apart from your peers and to get ahead in your career journey.

Featuring

  • Moderator: Michelle Groover, Ph.D, Principal Lecturer, Georgia Southern University
  • Liana Zabowski, Senior Vice President, The Wilbert Group
  • Lindsay Haynes, APR, Senior Director Brand PR & Franchise Communications, Focus Brands
  • Lisa Tilt, Founder & CEO, Full Tilt Consulting

Enacting and Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives
Listen to PR professionals discuss what Corporate Social Responsibility means for their company or clients, their CSR strategy and how as communicators, they bring that plan to life.

Featuring

  • Moderator: Brad MacAfee, Founder & CEO, Mission + Cause
  • Crystal Woods, Director of Executive and Internal Communications, Southern Company
  • Melissa GoldenExecutive Vice President and General Manager, Weber Shandwick
  • Keir Murray, Sr. Director – External Comms, Advocacy, Comcast

Fireside Chat: Engaging Employees in a Fortune 500 Company
Join Lana Johnston and Hannah Bause of The Home Depot as they discuss their approach to effective internal communications for field to executive-level associates. Learn how the home improvement giant is working to build a stronger employee culture and boost engagement.

Featuring

  • Moderator: Ashley Pilgrim, Vice President, MSL
  • Lana Johnston, Director of Culture & Engagement, The Home Depot
  • Hannah Bause, Sr. Manager, Internal Communications (Stores & MET)

AI and PR
Artificial Intelligence continues to disrupt many industries, and it’s no different with PR. Learn from seasoned professionals on how to integrate AI tools into your strategy without losing sight of the big picture.

Featuring

  • Moderator: Kyna Lee Willis, Public Relations & Communications, American College of Rheumatology
  • Tiffany Felix, Director of Sales Operations at EdFoal AI
  • Karsten Burgstahler, Senior Content Creator, Arketi Group
  • Colleen Murphy, Senior Executive Vice President, Trevelino/Keller

Student Session: The Varying Types of PR
Gain practical insights into different types of public relations.

Featuring

  • Moderator: Kristen Ellis, Senior Account Supervisor, MSL
  • Allesa Tyus, Digital Communications Specialist, Fulton County Government
  • Andrew Agan, Vice President, Cookerly PR

What’s New and What’s to Come in Atlanta’s Hospitality & Tourism Market
The hospitality industry is booming, especially in Atlanta. From Michelin Stars to the World Cup in 2026, Atlanta remains a city to watch. Listen to experts discuss Atlanta’s hospitality landscape and the communications strategies to engage local and visiting audiences.

Featuring

  • Moderator: Melissa Libby, Founder and CEO, Melissa Libby & Associates
  • Elizabeth Hagin, Associate Vice President of Marketing, Selig Enterprises
  • Travis Currie, PR Manager, IHG Hotel and Resorts
  • Aubree Dumas, Content Specialist, Discover Atlanta

Crisis Confidential
Secrets of the Pros: How to Approach your Company’s Crises with Confidence
Cookerly Public Relations has extensive experience helping companies of all sizes manage highly challenging issues and crises. Founder Carol Cookerly began her career as a TV news reporter and upon establishing her firm, focused exclusively on managing crises, most of which were of interest to national news outlets. The Cookerly PR team has challenged many of the norms for managing crises and developed more skillful ways, for example, to make clients’ negative news go away. But one of their biggest passions is relating to business executives when an adverse event happens – and it will – they too can have confidence in their approach and management of the situation.

Join us for an interactive session to test your own skills in addressing issues and crises and to find out what happens when these elevate to the highest levels and threaten institutional reputation. Cory and Stephen will share anecdotes from the front lines and lessons you can take home with you today and in your near- and long-term planning.

Featuring

  • Cory Stewart, CEO of Cookerly PR
  • Stephen Brown, APR, President of Cookerly PR

PR All Things Social Media
Social media has come a long way from periodic posts and likes. Learn how to infuse social media and digital tactics to boost your communications strategies and engage with your audiences like never before.

Featuring

  • Moderator: Denise Ward, APR, Associate Vice President of Communications and Marketing, Spelman College
  • Sabrina Merritt, Founder & CEO, October Social Media
  • Ashli Washington, Social Media + Creative Content Specialist, Spelman College
  • Bryce Zimmerman, Assistant Director for Social Media & Thought Leadership, Georgia Institute of Technology

Government Communications
Navigating the balance of government communications and the private sector: A President’s fireside Chat.

Join our Chapter President, Daniel Groce, for a fireside chat with Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the importance of communications when working with both government and private industries. Whether you work for a government agency or at a private organization that deals with government relations, this chat will dive into the ins and outs of balancing communications and government functions. Define best practices, how to handle the media and the importance of the communications team in government

Featuring

  • Daniel Groce, Sr. Manager, Employee Communications, Delta
  • Bárbara Rivera Holmes, President of Albany, Georgia, Chamber of Commerce

Fireside with the Falcons
Finish the day with a deep dive into Atlanta Falcons’ marketing strategy with Shannon Joyner, VP of Marketing for the Falcons and Larry Luk, Senior Creative Director for the Falcons. Join them as they discuss how to cater to various audience demographics using integrated marketing tactics, from strategic social media campaigns to new brand apparel. Joyner and Luk will share the lessons they have learned from working with the Dirty Birds during some of the most exciting times in NFL history.

Featuring

  • Moderator: Evin Gordon, Sports Marketing Director, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
  • Shannon Joyner, Vice President of Marketing, Atlanta Falcons
  • Larry Luk, Senior Creative Director, Atlanta Falcons

Sponsorships

Sponsorships must be purchased by January 31 All assets due by February 9

Presenting Sponsor (exclusive) – $12,000

  • Event presenter name rights (e.g., PRSA Georgia’s Annual Conference Presented by XX)
  • Keynote presentation sponsor
  • Eight (8) complimentary tickets to attend event
  • Reserved table in premium location with eight (8) seats for keynote and lunch
  • Exhibitor table for student career fair and professional networking
  • Opportunity to give remarks to full group at breakfast or lunch
  • Two-page spread ad in the program (or two full-page ads)
    • Specs: 11 x 8.5 (two-page spread) or two full pages at 5.5 x 8.5 each; no bleed; .25 white border around all ads
  • Rolling digital logo rotating on main screen during event
  • Company/Name with logo listed in digital event program and event signage
  • Company logo in PRSA Georgia promotional marketing materials for the conference, including on PRSA Georgia Annual Conference landing page and in monthly newsletter
  • Dedicated Thank You e-blast
  • Dedicated social media post thanking organization for support
  • Career Center: One (1) job AND one (1) internship listing
    • Must be used by Nov. 1, 2024

Premiere Sponsor (2) – $10,000

  • Six (6) complimentary tickets to attend event
  • Table in premium location with six (6) reserved seats for keynote and lunch
  • Exhibitor table for student career fair and professional networking
  • Full-page ad in digital conference program
    • Specs: 5.5 x 8.5 each; no bleed; .25 white border around all ads
  • Rolling digital logo rotating on main screen during event
  • Company/Name with logo listed in digital event program and event signage
  • Recognition during welcome remarks from podium
  • Company logo in PRSA Georgia promotional marketing materials for the conference, including on PRSA Georgia Annual Conference landing page and in monthly newsletter
  • Dedicated social media post thanking organization for support
  • Career Center: One (1) job AND one (1) internship listing
    • Must be used by Nov. 1, 2024

Platinum Sponsor (3+) – $8,000

  • Four (4) complimentary tickets to attend event
  • Table in premium location with four (4) reserved seats for keynote and lunch
  • Exhibitor table for student career fair and professional networking
  • Full-page ad in digital conference program
    • Specs: 5.5 x 8.5 each; no bleed; .25 white border around all ads
  • Rolling digital logo rotating on main screen during event
  • Company/Name with logo listed in digital event program and event signage
  • Recognition during welcome remarks from podium
  • Company logo in PRSA Georgia promotional marketing materials for the conference, including on PRSA Georgia Annual Conference landing page and in monthly newsletter
  • Career Center: One (1) job OR one (1) internship listing
    • Must be used by Nov. 1, 2024

Registration and Breakfast Sponsor (1) – $4,500

  • Two (2) complimentary tickets to attend event
  • Rolling digital logo rotating on main screen during event
  • Half-page ad in digital conference program
    • Specs: 5.5 x 4.25; no bleed; .25 white border around all ads
  • Company/Name with logo listed in digital event program and event signage (next to breakfast buffet)
  • Company logo in PRSA Georgia promotional marketing materials for the conference, including on PRSA Georgia Annual Conference landing page and in monthly newsletter
  • Career Center: One (1) job OR one (1) internship listing
    • Must be used by Nov. 1, 2024

Lunch and Networking Sponsor (1) – $4,500

  • Two (2) complimentary tickets to attend event
  • Rolling digital logo rotating on main screen during event
  • Half-page ad in digital conference program
    • Specs: 5.5 x 4.25; no bleed; .25 white border around all ads
  • Company/Name with logo listed in digital event program and event signage (next to lunch buffet)
  • Company logo in PRSA Georgia promotional marketing materials for the conference, including on PRSA Georgia Annual Conference landing page and in monthly newsletter
  • Career Center: One (1) job OR one (1) internship listing
    • Must be used by Nov. 1, 2024

Breakout Session Sponsor (12) – $2,500

  • Rolling digital logo rotating on main screen during event
  • Half-page ad in digital conference program
    • Specs: 5.5 x 4.25; no bleed; .25 white border around all ads
  • Company/Name with logo listed in digital event program and event signage (at the front next to the speakers)
  • Company logo in PRSA Georgia promotional marketing materials for the conference, including on PRSA Georgia Annual Conference landing page and in monthly newsletter
  • Career Center: One (1) job OR one (1) internship listing
    • Must be used by Nov. 1, 2024

Career Fair Sponsor (Unlimited) – $2,000

  • One (1) complimentary ticket to attend event
  • Career Fair Table
  • Company/Name with logo listed in digital event program and event signage (next to exhibitor tables)
  • Company logo in PRSA Georgia promotional marketing materials for the conference, including on PRSA Georgia Annual Conference landing page and in monthly newsletter
  • Career Center: One (1) job OR one (1) internship listing
    • Must be used by Nov. 1, 2024

Ad Hoc and Conference Program Ads (full-page)

  • Back Cover Ad: $500
  • Inside Back Cover Ad: $400
  • Inside Facing Back Cover Ad: $400
  • Inside Front Cover Ad: $400
  • Inside Facing Front Cover Ad: $400
  • Inside Pages: $300

Logistics

Location: Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, 800 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308.

Getting There: Use the street address above or visit the conference center’s website to get written directions to the conference center and parking garage. Georgia Tech’s complimentary shuttle provides transportation to and from the Midtown MARTA transit station.

Parking: Parking is free for conference attendees; registrants will receive parking passes upon check-in. On-site parking is available via the parking garage connected to the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. The garage is accessible near the hotel’s main entrance at Spring St. NW and Armstead Pl NW (across from Barnes & Noble) or via the garage entrance at Spring St NW and 4th St NW.

Wifi: Wireless internet is available throughout the property to conference attendees.

Accessibility: Visit the conference center’s accessibility website to read about their accommodations and accessibility features, including assistive listening devices for meeting attendees.