Anchorage, Alaska (November 29, 2006) – Three UAA journalism and public communications students traveled to Salt Lake City on Nov. 10th through the 14th to represent the Alaska “Seawolf” Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America at the 2006 PRSSA National Conference. Chapter President, Anna Marie Roedl, Vice President Jerami Marsh and Historian Shannon Orley returned on the 14th with a fresh outlook to lead their Chapter and plan to present their experiences to fellow students in the upcoming weeks.
The annual Conference featured four days of professional workshops and social events that members may use to as an edge in their future communications careers.
Over 800 students from around the country attended sessions geared to help Chapter members develop their leadership, recruitment, fundraising, networking and professional communications skills.
“We are just taking advantage of opportunities now because public relations is a competitive field, especially in a market as small as Anchorage.” President Roedl said. “The experience we gain and the networks we build in the community play an important role in what happens to us from now on. These skills could help pretty much any professional career.”
Key discussion topics included using technological advancements such as blogging, vlogging, social bookmarking and podcasting in communications strategies, media influences and interaction, sports promotion, international opportunities in public relations, advocacy, resume and career enhancement.
Keynote and general session speakers included top executives of major companies such as Richard Edelman from Edelman Public Relations Worldwide and Newsweek managing editor, Jon Meacham. Tavis Smiley, of Public Radio International, delivered a sermonesque message that nailed the importance of stopping public relations spin, adding values to add message value, to better relate to our people and stopping the “spin” in order to build a nation that is as good as its promise.
About UAA’s PRSSA
PRSSA members have worked with local organizations to coordinate public events such as the 2006 Arctic Winter Games and Veterans Wheelchair Games last summer. Members have written press releases, templates, communications plans, websites and advertisements for local groups such as the Anchorage Conventions and Visitors Bureau, the Red Cross of Alaska, Habitat for Humanity, the Emergency Operations Center and the Aviation Heritage Museum.
Current officers are strengthening the Chapter by recruiting other UAA students who want to get involved in communications or similar pre-professional careers.
For more information call Jerami Marsh: 907-952-1154.
More chapter information will be available on our website: prssa.uaa.alaska.edu
For national information: www.prssa.org
