NATIONAL
FASHION
you can this year. If you complete
enough, you could win a Star
Chapter Award at next year’s
National Conference.
NATIONAL THEME MONTHS
This fall, PRSSA is participating in three themed months.
September is Ethics Month, October is PRSSA/PRSA Relationship
Month and November is Diversity
Month. Each will kick off with an
e-blast full of ideas for how your
Chapter can participate. By taking
part in the month, your Chapter
will engage with students and
professionals across the nation.
After you incorporate the month’s
theme into your Chapter planning, share your accomplishments
by submitting a Chapter News
release to [email protected].
Believe it or not, there are
even more ways you can expand
your national participation. Visit
our website or talk to your advisers and the National Committee
for additional ideas.
LADIES
Ladies, the length of your
skirt or dress matters. Keep it at
the knee to stay professional and
stylish.
LADIES’ PACKING LIST:
Statement necklace
Pencil skirt
Black and nude heels
Tailored pants, as opposed to
flared slacks
Classy watch
Work bag
Peplum top
Black blazer
Button-down shirt
MEN’S PACKING LIST:
Skinny tie or bow tie
Belt
Pocket squares
Navy blue or grey suit
Brightly colored or patterned
socks
Simple watch
Button-down shirts
Dress shoes
MEN
Men, listen up. Black suits
are not the only option. Consider
navy blue or grey suits as well.
PRO-TIP: Always match your
belt with your shoes.
PRO-TIP: If high-heeled shoes
hurt your feet or you aren’t acclimated to walking in them, try
a wedge, smaller heel or a heeled
bootie.
PRO-TIP: Try brightly colored or
patterned socks to spice up your
every day look.
PRO-TIP: Avoid clip-on ties or
clip-on bow ties. Learn to tie
your own.
PRO-TIP: Too much jewelry
looks fussy. Keep it simple.
National Conference Sneak Peak:
Q&A With Coordinator Amber Mayfield
Amber Mayfield’s first National
Conference was last year in
Philadelphia; she quickly fell in
love. Now, as coordinator for the
PRSSA 2014 National Conference in Washington, D.C., Mayfield is excited to play a part in
the magic of planning the event.
She has chosen to share a sneak
peak of the highlights of this
year’s Conference, as well as her
vision for the event.
WHAT MAKES THIS NATIONAL
CONFERENCE UNIQUE COMPARED TO THOSE OF PREVIOUS
YEARS?
AM: This year we are re-introducing agency/career tours to
the program. We’ve partnered
with a lot of local agencies and
organizations to give students this
opportunity. [Students will] get to
see the office culture and what it’s
like to work there. As a freshman, I went on an agency tour to
Edelman and it’s something that
helped me declare my major. I
hope others get to experience this
as well.
Participating organizations
include Allison+Partners, APCO
Worldwide, Burson-Marsteller,
Edelman, Hill+Knowlton
Strategies, Ketchum, Qorvis/
MSLGroup, Spectrum and the
U.S. Navy Office of Information.
Remember pre-registration is
required to participate and space
is limited.
WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAMMING
CAN STUDENTS EXPECT DURING
THE CONFERENCE?
AM: The first day we have tours
and workshops scheduled. Attendees will also get to hear from
different Chapters that will pres-
ent on things they have mastered,
such as alumni relations, event
planning, etc. The day will close
with a social. The location of the
Conference, the Omni Shoreham
Hotel, is very regal, so the theme
of the social is “Evening at the
Embassies.” On Saturday, Pam
Jenkins will discuss diversity and
how that fits into public relations
during the keynote address. Then
the professional development sessions will begin and everyone will
have options of what to attend. On
Sunday, students will be invited
for coffee with the Champions
for PRSSA to hear from living
legends and attend more sessions.
The career development exhibition and the awards ceremony are
slated for Monday. Then, Tuesday
we have the farewell breakfast
and that’s it.
WHAT MAKES WASHINGTON,
D.C. A PROPER HOST TO THE
CONFERENCE?
AM: I think there’s something
really exciting about the culture
in Washington D.C. It’s unique
because the government is based
there and there is all this history — it kind of has this touristy vibe. Attendees will get to
explore and visit monuments and
restaurants. They will have so
much fun.
WHAT SHOULD PRSSA MEMBERS
EXPECT TO TAKE AWAY FROM
THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE?
AM: They can expect to get a
feel for a lot of different areas in
PR, such as ... health care, food,
sports, hospitality and nonprofit.
They can certainly expand their
network, as well as meet professionals and [get] a feel for which
industry they will pursue.
WHAT ARE YOU PERSONALLY
MOST EXCITED FOR?
AM: I think I am the most excited
to meet new people. I’ve gotten
to meet so many people and learn
about their different experiences
in internships and jobs. You learn
just as much from your peers as
you do from professionals. It’s
really a great element that people
forget.
FINALLY, IF I AM THINKING
ABOUT GOING THIS YEAR, BUT I
AM NOT TOTALLY CONVINCED,
WHAT IS YOUR LAST PLUG FOR
THE CONFERENCE?
AM: I think the National Conference this year will be worth the
money, time and travel. You’re
never going to get another experience like it, with so many professionals and peers all in one place.
Students from American University and The University of Maryland X[YY \