National Black PR Society conference to draw corporate execs to Chicago

(September 10, 2007) More than 300 African-American public relations professionals from around the country will be in attendance when the National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) presents its Ninth Annual Conference and Career Fair at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, in Chicago, September 20 -23. More than100 students are also expected to attend.

The four-day event will include panel discussions examining PR issues and trends, professional development workshops, dialogue with prominent industry leaders, awards presentations, a cultural reception and a host of other activities.

According to Chicago-based NBPRS President Wynona Redmond (above), the theme for this year’s conference is “Making Our Communities Better Through the Power of PR.”

“The conference will examine the presence, influence and power of PR to make a difference within our increasingly complex society,” said Redmond, who is also Public Affairs Director at Dominick’s, a division of Safeway.

“Our impact on our communities is vast. The power of our networks allow us to bring essential resources – corporate funding; positive programming; and, most importantly, sensitivity to issues that affect our community.”

“Despite our collective progress and individual achievements, our communities are too often in a state of crisis. Because of our roots and relationships in the community we have an intimate understanding of their lack and need, which enables us to better facilitate communications and connections to resources.”

“Corporations want to make a difference. We can help deliver the messages addressing unhealthy lifestyles, early detection, need for education, job readiness, etc. Our theme serves as a reminder and a challenge for us to bring to bear our talents, positions and influence to positively impact quality-of-life on every level for our communities. Our lives depend on it,” Redmond said.

Punctuating Redmond’s point, NBPRS will recognize Sonya Jackson of United Airlines, who helped coordinate one of the first relief flights to New Orleans with supplies for Katrina survivors, and Dionne Broadus of Essence Magazine, for the Essence Music Festival, which generated more than 100 million dollars for the city of New Orleans this year.

In addition, the Corporate Founders Award will be presented to McDonald’s, a company which “has, time and time again, proven itself a good corporate citizen,” said Redmond. Other honorees include Gwendolyn Quinn, founder of GQ Media and Public Relations, Inc. and the African American PR Collective (AARPC), and Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D., President, Columbia College Chicago.

Panel discussions include “Communicating the Cause” to help grassroots organizations get the word out; “Turning Leads Into Dollars,” which gives support to small businesses, “Corporate Social Responsibility” to showcase good news stories and identify opportunities, “Uplifting the Church with PR,” an increasing reality as television ministries have become movements.

Executives from companies including Ebony Magazine, Miller Brewing, JC Penny, Weber Shandwick, Verizon Business, Edelman, Sears, Continental Airlines, Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits, Ketchum, the Chicago Tribune, Hill & Knowlton, and the National Urban League will discuss the issues and opportunities facing black public relations professionals in the sessions.

Sponsors for the conference include Abbott, AstraZeneca, Bloom, Gross & Associates, Coca-Cola, Dominick’s/Safeway, Edelman, ING, Jewel-Osco/SuperValu, Toyota and Weber Shandwick.

For information and to register online, visit www.nbprs.org. Reserve rooms at Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza at 312-836-5000.

The National Black Public Relations Society is a non-profit organization of media relations, marketing, public affairs, government relations and special event planning professionals. The organization provides support to students and professionals in the field through mentorship, education, professional development and networking.


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