COMMITTEE PROFILE: Programs/Social Events, Cultivating Colorado’s PR Community with Compelling Events
L-R: PRSA Colorado Programs/Social Committee member Jessica Ouwerkerk, Brooke Gabbert and Nathalie Baret
By Shannon Robb, member PRSA Communications Committee
As PRSA members know, among the many benefits of being part of the nation’s largest professional organization serving the communications community are the opportunities for professional development and networking with peers. PRSA Colorado’s Programs/Social Events Committee, led by co-chairs Nathalie Baret and Brooke Gabbert, is the front line, the heavy-lifter, the roll-up-the-sleeves team that organizes the formal programs and stages the social events that members enjoy throughout the year.
From coming up with interesting, relevant topics and themes, to planning events, securing speakers and panelists, renting event space and creating the marketing materials, the committee has its hands full.
Baret, owner and PR director of Win-Win Publicity House and PR/marketing and operations director for Connections in Recovery NY, and Gabbert, president of PennStreet Communications, stepped into their co-chair roles in February. Along with board liaisons Michelle Ellis and Geoff Renstrom, the committee has organized a number of successful events this year, with more exciting programs on the way for 2019. The co-chairs say the process always begins with brainstorming.
“We try to keep our fingers on the pulse of what’s happening, what’s interesting and what programs members might benefit from,” says Baret.
While considering trending topics and issues, keeping members’ wants and needs in mind is key for the committee.
“We look over various factors on a broad scale and then start picking topics that we feel will cater to members,” says Gabbert. “We try to find topics that not only will whet member appetites — so they’ll want to attend — but programs that will help educate them, so they can walk away having learned something they didn’t know or realize before. Our end goal is to help PR practitioners learn about issues.”
Baret and Gabbert point to one of their standout luncheon events this year as an example: RiNo Communications: The art of storytelling–A Kaleidoscope of Perceptions: Tearing Down, Rebuilding & Raising Brand Awareness. The June panel discussion brought to light the value of storytelling — an industry mainstay — and how it can help manage a crisis — an industry hazard. Specifically, the panel talked about handling crisis by being proactive, communicating the truth in real-time, connecting with the community, bringing in the press and making sure the facts and the storytelling are sound, ethical and transparent.
“RiNo Arts District was a great example of compelling storytelling to help connect the different moving parts in educating the public and press,” says Baret.
There are several exciting events still to come this year, including the always popular Media Roundtable scheduled for Sept. 26, and a 2017 favorite, Influencer Mix & Mingle, on Oct. 17. 2019 also promises to be exciting. Already in the works are a discussion with Mark Ragan on Jan. 19, “PR Hits & Misses” with Jeremy Story on Feb. 20 and Shadow Day at the Denver Zoo in March.
To learn more about the Programs/Social Events Committee or if you are interested in joining, please contact Nathalie Baret or Brooke Gabbert.
Stay tuned for information about the 2019 slate of programs and social events; details will be shared on the chapter website and social media.
