The Update

2/2007

Welcome to the official newsletter of the Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter. Past issues can be found by going to www.prsaspokane.org and clicking on the "Newsletters" link.

Join us on Friday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 a.m. in Cataldo Hall on the campus of Gonzaga University for the joint PRSA/SPRC breakfast meeting. Our speaker is Steve Getzug, senior vice president with Hill & Knowlton, Los Angeles. Mr. Getzug provides advice to clients such as MGM Mirage, Wal-Mart, and the State of California, and will be speaking about his extensive knowledge regarding media and crisis communications. Steve's knowledge includes nine years as a reporter and editor for the Los Angeles Daily News. Following the meeting is the SPRC-sponsored workshop, "Selling the Value of PR to Decision Makers," from 9:30-11 a.m.

Selling the Value of PR to Decision Makers
The workshop will offer practical tips on selling the value of professional public relations to your clients, your CEO, or other decision makers within your organization. The presentation will cover:

• how to articulate PR's value proposition to existing and prospective clients;
• methods and tactics that convert small PR budgets into robust budgets;
• why CEOs, CFOs and company stakeholders should care about PR;
• how to get them to say yes to more resources instead of no;
• strategies and tactics that account executives in major markets use to win over the minds and purse strings of key decision makers; and
• ROI models used to justify PR budgets vs. advertising or other forms of paid media.

The meeting is open to any interested public relations professionals and students. The meeting fee, which includes breakfast, is $9 for members, $11 for non-members and $7 for students. The workshop is free for SPRC/PRSA members or $10 for non-members. RSVPs are required for the workshop: Jeff Thomas, Spokane Athletic Club (459-4242 or jthomas@spokaneathleticclub.org).

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Hello PRSA Members,

I would like to extend an invitation to the PRSA membership and their guests. Please help us communicate the recent improvements travelers will experience at Spokane International Airport.

During the past 200+ days, Spokane International Airport has embarked upon an $18 million renovation which includes the addition of 10 new restaurants and 8 retail sites and reconfiguration of the security screening area. We could not be more pleased with the renovations and look forward to unveiling the new rotunda area to our community’s business leaders. As the region’s unofficial host to over 3 million annual travelers, the improvements will further enhance our ability to instill a positive first and last impression of Spokane and the entire region.

Please join us for a wine and hors d’oeuvre reception February 1, 2007 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Official remarks at 6:15 p.m.

• Check in at the A & B Concourse on the Skywalk.

• Music will be provided by the Spokane Symphony.

• The airport is providing complimentary parking for the event guests.

• Business attire is required.

• RSVP’s needed no later than Tuesday, February 3.

Guests may sample the menu selections from area restaurants. The Vintage Washington Wine Bar will highlight Washington wines now being served at the airport along with their unique menu. Starbucks will also provide complimentary beverages.

And yes, there is now shopping at the airport! Browse through Aunties Bookstore with a Craven’s Coffee Bar located inside the store. Simply Northwest is offering gourmet food items, apparel, jewelry and unique gifts. The Inland Northwest Travel Mart will carry a variety of items including licensed sports apparel for all…..Zag, Cougar and Husky fans.

This will be an evening of food, wine, coffee, gifts and friends.

Mark your calendar and make your reservation by emailing Leisa Kosanke at lkosanke@spokaneairports.net

As this event is held post-security, the attendees’ full legal name (first, middle and last) and date of birth is needed. Federal Security regulations require each guest provide this information to proceed past the passenger security checkpoint.

Please note, complimentary tickets will be provided to you and your guest.  We have selected the American Red Cross as an event benefactor. Anyone who would like to make an optional donation, please note this on the email reservation and I will return their call to facilitate the contribution.

We look forward to seeing you on February 1.

Leisa Kosanke
Marketing Manager
Spokane International Airport
9000 W.  Airport Drive, #204
Spokane, WA  99224
509.455.6445
509.481.3340 - cell

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Dear Fellow PRSA Members,

As we reach the end of January, I know many of you are working on (or wrapping up) planning of the activities you wish to undertake in 2007. Your PRSA Board is doing the same thing, and we need your feedback!

As we all know, the best plans are based on research, research, and more research. That is why we ask that you take a few minutes to respond to a membership survey that will be emailed to you soon. The results of this survey will shape the activities and areas of emphasis for our chapter over the next year. Please let us know what you like, what you don’t like and your ideas for new activities in the chapter.

Our chapter can only be as great as we make it, and it takes everyone to ensure success. I thank you in advance for your participation and look forward to your thoughts and feedback.

Sincerely,
Tamitha Anderson, chapter president

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Share your lessons learned and valuable insights on our profession with the next generation of professionals during the Day on the Job event: April 6, 2007.

The event matches enthusiastic communications students from area universities with participating professionals for a job-shadowing experience. As much as possible, students are paired with professionals whose jobs most closely match their interests. Participating schools include: Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, University of Idaho, Washington State University and Whitworth College.

The Day on the Job event begins at the regularly scheduled PRSA/SPRC breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, April 6. Scholarships will also be announced during the meeting. Spend as much of the day introducing your student match to the working world of public relations as is convenient to you. PRSA will host lunch and a professional panel presentation for students at Gonzaga University.

If you would like to take this easy opportunity to give something back to the profession, sign up for a student match by contacting PRSA board member Chris Bieker at chris.bieker@wa.usda.gov or (509) 323-3014 by March 23, 2007. Students interested in shadowing a professional may also contact Chris Bieker.

Underwriting of the event in the form of sponsorships in any amount is an added way to support the profession.

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The Greater Spokane Chapter of PRSA is offering a $1,500 scholarship to members of PRSSA chapters in the area and to PRSSA members-at-large in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Completed applications are due March 2, 2007. They may be brought to the March 2 PRSA/SPRC breakfast meeting at Gonzaga University or sent to PRSA board member Chris Bieker as directed on the application form.

Application forms may be found at http://www.prsaspokane.org/scholarships.asp or call Chris Bieker at (509) 323-3014. The Greater Spokane Chapter of PRSA will announce the scholarship winner during the April 6, 2007 breakfast meeting.

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Dear PRSA member,

This week I officially joined PRSA as President and Chief Operating Officer, an opportunity that I'm very excited about.

In recent weeks, I've been busy making the transition to assume my new responsibilities. I had an opportunity to meet with the PRSA national staff and have met, corresponded and spoken with a number of leaders and volunteers. In addition, our 2007 Chair and Chief Executive Officer Rhoda Weiss, APR, Fellow PRSA, kindly arranged for me to join her and other public relations executives in early January in Washington, DC at a Summit on Public Diplomacy hosted by the U.S. State Department.

I'm looking forward to our first quarter board of directors meeting being held here in New York this week. This will be an excellent opportunity for me to learn more about the vision for the organization and help the national board of directors implement the 2007 priorities.

Above all, in the coming months I, along with headquarters staff will continue to build upon the strengths of PRSA and continue to deliver member value through our Chapters, Sections and Districts, as well as national programs and initiatives.

2007 promises to be an exciting year for PRSA and it is an honor to share in that excitement with you as we advance the profession and the professional.

Sincerely,
William (Bill) Murray
President and Chief Operating Officer

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Share your strategies, theories, ideas, research and results with the most dynamic gathering of PR professionals in the world! PRSA is seeking communications professionals, educators and experts in related fields — including CMOs, CEOs, CFOs, economists, social scientists, futurists, management consultants, journalists, bloggers, technologists and editors as well as specialists in interactive communications and design, marketing communications, technology, research and measurement — to present at this year's Conference.

Submission deadline: February 21, 2007
Visit www.prsa.org/conf2007 for more information.

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Annual PRSA Board Retreat: January

At the most recent board meeting, which was also our annual retreat, the directors identified four primary goals for 2007:

• show value of membership;
• increase participation in the membership of all events;
• maintain a healthy financial balance and reserve funds; and
• cultivate young members through PRSSA chapters and enhance mentoring opportunities.

The board also discussed Day on the Job (DOTJ), webinars and the auction. Special consideration needs to be given to the auction - it is our primary fundraiser for DOTJ and the PRSSA scholarships. In addition, the board decided to offer one (1) $1,500 scholarship to a PRSSA student or student member-at-large in the region (see the scholarship article in this month's newsletter for more information). We have seen growth in our membership and the PRSSA chapters are currently doing well but need further outreach and support.

Lastly, the board selected its officers and committee chairs for this year:

President - Tamitha Anderson
President-elect, Secretary/Member Communications - Lance Kissler
Treasurer, APR Studies Chair - Maggie Crabtree
Programming Chair - Garry Matlow
Membership Development Chair - Christine Varela
PRSSA Liaison - Chris Bieker
Professional Development Chair - Michelle Galey
Special Events Chair - Annie Matlow
Ethics Officer, Assembly Delegate - Susan Nielsen

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Have a story idea for the Spokane PRSA newsletter? Send your article, announcement or shameless plug to Lance Kissler by the last Wednesday of each month.

Contact:
Lance Kissler
lkissler@mail.ewu.edu
(509) 359-6317

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