Network with the industry’s newest professionals at the PRSA Chicago Young Professionals Network social on Wednesday, May 30 The Kerryman. This event is open to members and non-members, as well as students. There is no fee to attend. Please email Alison Hamer with any questions.

Click here to RSVP
When: Wednesday, May 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Kerryman, 661 N Clark Street

Calling all PRSA Chicago members! The chapter will host a members-only breakfast on Wednesday, June 13 at 8:00 a.m. at the Gleacher Center. Attendees will get a look inside the organization with board member introductions and brief committee reports, followed by a sneak preview of the upcoming Midwest District Conference.

Breakfast will be structured as a roundtable discussion held at each table and facilitated by a board member. Members will be able to ask questions, voice concerns and provide general feedback and ideas.

Thank you to our event sponsor, Weber Shandwick!

As the weather is becoming a little nicer, and the days a little longer, perhaps it’s time to do some spring cleaning around the house…and among your communications resources. At PRSA Chicago, we’re continuously looking for new programming topics and opportunities to bring value to your membership. We’re looking to “spring forward” into new areas of interest and provide our 500 + members with the right resources and right networking opportunities you need and want.

First, we are hosting the inaugural PRSA Midwest District Conference here in the Windy City this July 19-20, which promises to be a packed agenda with communications experts from organizations such as ComEd, Facebook, Twitter, Boeing, GM, Motorola, among others. Topics will range from relaunching corporate brands, to ways to engage with social media, to issues and crisis management case studies and beyond. The Conference will also provide participants with an opportunity to engage and network with members of the media, and promises to be an exciting and interactive event. Our 1.5 day conference will mark the first time the Midwest has offered this opportunity to its members, and at a very competitive price. Please see the Midwest District Conference tab for additional information about the event and to register.

Spring is also a time for renewal, and we will be hosting a membership breakfast to provide you with an overview of what is in the works at the Chapter level, how to best get involved, as well as be an opportunity for the Chapter to hear directly from you so that we may better serve and support you in your professional needs. We look forward to having more members integrally involved with Chapter activities, so please stay tuned for more information on the event so you can mark your calendars.

In Chicago, spring always seems to pass by with the blink of an eye, but rest assured we have plenty planned to help PR professionals make this spring a great success!

Join the Young Professionals Network in May as we explore the important and ever-evolving role of a communicator in today’s political arena. The workshop will feature Barnaby Dinges, Vice President of KemperLesnik, whose extensive background in public affairs includes working alongside elected state officials and on several national, state, and local advocacy campaigns with clients such as Abbott Laboratories, Chicago Bears and the Chicago Park District. Join us as we learn more about the multifaceted world of public affairs and advocacy campaigns. Attendees will learn from this seasoned professional how to build a career in public affairs as well as discuss some of Barnaby’s most interesting case studies.

Click here to register!
When: Tuesday, May 22,  6:00  -  7:30 p.m.
Where: Edelman, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 66, Chicago
Attire: Business
Event Registration: Member: complimentary/Non-Member: $15.00/Student: $5.00

Please bring a photo ID. If you register and can no longer attend, email ahamer@lcwa.com.

Every year the PRSA Chicago Chapter hosts a scholarship opportunity to offer financial assistance to the next generation of Public Relation practitioners. Applications are now being accepted for the 2012-2013 PRSSA scholarship.

Our PRSA Chicago luncheon on May 15 will focus on employment and hiring opportunities for our industry in 2012 and beyond.

Attendees will participate in a series of roundtables to network and discuss related topics with Chicago’s communications leaders. Topics will include finding jobs in the PR 2.0 world, resume review and the skills necessary for landing your next position.

Click here to register!

When: Tuesday, May 15, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Maggiano’s Little Italy, 516 North Clark Street, Chicago
Event Registration: Member, $37.00/Non-Member, $45.00/Student, $37.00

The Skyline Awards honor the best communications practitioners, campaigns and tactics in Chicagoland. But they’re about more than awards! The program recognizes Chicagoland public relations practitioners who have successfully addressed contemporary issues using public relations techniques with exemplary skill, creativity and resourcefulness.

Register Today!

Click here to register!

When: Tuesday, June 5, 2012
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour and Silent Auction
**Proceeds support the PRSA Chicago Scholarship Fund
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Dinner and Awards

Where: Hilton Chicago, Continental Ballroom, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Attire: Business
Registration Fee: Member, $100/Non-Member, $120
Table of 10-Member $925.00
Table of 10-Non-Member $1,100.00

Thank you to our sponsor: AKA Media Inc.(www.akamediainc.com)

On April 24 thousands of marketing professionals from across North America will gather in Chicago to discover the ideas and trends that are shaping the future of marketing. Use the discount code CHICAGO22 for $50 off.

Click here to register!

This one day conference features six internationally renowned bestselling authors and leaders, who will share an exciting blend of cutting edge thinking and real world experience on today’s most critical marketing issues. Don’t miss out on your chance to gain a competitive advantage and network with over 1,300 influential marketers.

Speakers include:

Seth Godin, New York Times bestselling author, “Purple Cow,” “Tribes” and “Linchpin”

Randi Zuckerberg, Former head of marketing at Facebook and current founder & CEO of R to Z Media

Gary Vaynerchuk, New York Times bestselling author, “The Thank You Economy” and “Crush It!”

Keith Ferrazzi, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “Never Eat Alone” and “Who’s Got Your Back”

Avinash Kaushik, bestselling author, “Web Analytics 2.0″ and “Web Analytics: An Hour a Day”

Mitch Joel, president of Twist Image and bestselling author, “Six Pixels of Separation”

When: Tuesday, April 24, 8:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Where: The Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St, Chicago
Fee: General Pass: $399/VIP Pass: $599
**Use the code CHICAGO22 for $50 off general admission. Register here.

Use the code PRSAChicago25 for a 25 percent discount on admission.

Click here to register!

Global Strategic Management Institute (GSMI) is excited to announce Social Media Strategies Conference – Chicago. Whether your organization is just starting out or in the forefront of social media, Social Media Strategies Conference will take your social strategy to the next level. Through hands-on workshops, case studies and keynotes, our Chicago conference will provide attendees with emerging strategies, tactics and the top do’s and don’ts of social media marketing.

Social Media Strategies Conference – Chicago is a two-day event comprised of workshops, case studies, a variety of presentations and an abundance of networking opportunities. Unlike traditional conferences, Social Media Strategies Conference reveals the many secrets behind building, managing and growing successful social media platforms and strategies.

Be sure to secure your seats early as space is limited. To assure attendees get the full benefit of an intimate conference, we only offer a limited number of seats. Group discount available.

Featured speakers and session topics include:

Ekaterina Walter, Strategist, Intel presenting: B2B Tips and Tricks of Effective Facebook Engagement to Grow Your Fan Base

Matt LeMay, Platform Manager, bitly presenting: Winning the Economy of Human Interest: What Big Data Can Tell Us About Ourselves and Our Audience

Maile Ohye, Developer Programs Tech Lead, Google presenting: Google+, the +1 button, and Social Relevance in Google Search

Case studies from brands such as:

Dunkin’ Donuts
Playboy
Boingo
Orabrush
Volvo
…and many more!

When: April 18-19
Where: Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel, 636 South Michigan Ave , Chicago
Fee: Individual workshops: $395/General conference: $1,295/Government and non-profit general admission: $1,095
**Use the code PRSAChicago25 for a 25 percent discount on admission. Register here.

For additional information, visit the main website at Social Media Home.

Don’t miss the premier health care communications conference!

Our traditional understanding of the health care communications professional is in flux. With new focus on public reporting, preventative care, and changing legislative guidelines, the public relations professional of the future needs to be equipped for the challenges of the emerging field. Develop strategies, refine tactics, and learn to monitor and engage emerging media in the evolving landscape.

When: May 16-18, 2012
Where: The Inn at Penn, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $695
**Register by April 4 and save $100.
Hotel Accommodations: Accommodations at The Hilton Inn at Penn. Philadelphia, PA. The special room rate is $209 per night. (215) 222-0200. Rooms are guaranteed on a first-come, first-served basis through April 15, 2012.

More Information: To register, visit the PRSA Health Academy website or call (800) 350-0111. For a Chicago chapter contact, email Joyce Lofstrom at jlofstrom@himss.org or call at 312-915-9237.