Survival Skills for Today’s Communicators
Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 11:30am – 1:00pm
Centre Club – Westshore, Urban Center One, 123 S. Westshore Blvd, Tampa
 
With local unemployment rates at an all time high and an increasing need to deliver difficult messages by corporate communication departments, PRSA Tampa Bay wants to know - will you survive?
 
Whether you are unemployed and seeking employment or tasked with delivering difficult messages within your organization, you should know the very best ways to communicate your message. Find out what employers are really looking for when hiring a PR professional. Hear how corporate communicators manage to send sensitive messages to employees while trying to keep morale and productivity high. Learn how to reinvent yourself when leaving the corporate world and moving into the independent practitioner role.
 
You don’t want to miss the April 28 luncheon at the Centre Club in Westshore with reduced pricing options offered to accommodate everyone.
 
Speakers:

Lillie Espinosa, VP and director of professional services, Lee Hecht Harrison
Lee Hecht Harrison is a global leader in creating and delivering customized and fully integrated human capital solutions.  Lillie oversees the delivery of career management services and coaching programs to senior management.  Join her as she shares the importance of remaining focused and positive when searching for a new career opportunity and ways to best showcase your talents and leadership skills in the toughest job market in decades.  She will also share how to brush up on your negotiation skills – what is appropriate to ask for given current economic hardships whether you are currently employed or are negotiating for a new position.
 
Mitch Lubitz, SE media relations manager, Humana
No one likes to do it but every PR professional, at some point in their career, will have to develop and deliver bad news. Mitch Lubitz from Humana’s SE media relations department will share industry best practices to consider when having to deliver difficult messages to employees, shareholders, and media. Prior to working for Humana, Mitch worked in corporate communications at Bank of America, Teco Energy, and Tampa Electric.  With over 30 years of corporate communications experience, Mitch has led many efforts in developing and communicating difficult messages.  
 
Julie Heidelberg, independent practitioner, Heidelberg PR
Have you recently taken a leap of faith and ventured out on your own?  Hear first hand from Julie Heidelberg as she shares her personal and professional journey from corporate communicator to independent PR practitioner and small business owner. She will outline her successful actions and insights for "building a personal brand," including these tips:  
- Tailor your industry expertise for each client. A quick learning curve is a must!
- Make your clients love you – master customer service. Over deliver every time.
- Build a referral network and become great at describing what you do.
- Freely share your knowledge.
- Become a smart business owner – your integrity and livelihood depend on it.
- Find balance between your personal and professional priorities.

Event Details:
Date: April 28, 2010
Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm (lunch included in price)
Location: Centre Club, Urban Center One - Westshore
 
Registration Costs:

PRSA Members: $15	Students: $12
Non-Members: $18

Questions regarding the April event and RSVPs can be directed to Jen Holtvluwer at Jennifer@velourcommunications.com.