Episode 22: Highlights from the PRSA 2019 International Conference

Today’s episode comes to you fresh from the PRSA 2019 International Conference, the annual gathering of public relations and communications professionals from across the globe. This year’s conference took place in San Diego, California, much to the delight of Karen, who will always be a SoCal girl at heart.

Highlights of the three-day conference featured a keynote from Bob Woodward and a powerful session hearing the story of Laura Ling’s North Korean experience firsthand.

Three main takeaways:

METRICS: Measurement continues to dominate. If you haven’t already begun to do this, now is the time to tie metrics to bottom-line results.

CREATIVITY: It still matters. PR pros, we need to make sure we give ourselves space to be creative.

INSPIRATION: People are looking to have their souls fed, to connect with our humanity, with something that matters. As PR professionals, we are indeed doing important work.

Solo PR Pro was well-represented, with member Mary Barber receiving two awards – the Patrick Jackson Award for Distinguished Service to PRSA and the PRSA Chair’s Award for Exceptional Service to the Society. Kristie Aylett programmed a non-profit section for the conference, which featured another Solo, Dan Farkas, who spoke multiple times. (Editor’s Note: Karen Swim is too modest to say that she too spoke at the conference.)

A great way to catch up on all that went on at the PRSA International Conference, search the official hashtag: #prsaicon2019

What is your favorite professional conference? We want to hear from you! Visit us at soloprpro.com or contact us online to share.