Expired 14th Annual Issues of the Day for Associations and Nonprofits

The Fourteenth Annual Public Relations Issues of the Day for Associations and Nonprofits is a signature annual professional development event that features five roundtable discussions led by sector leaders presenting on trends and topics impacting association and nonprofit communicators. Through our innovative format, attendees choose three of the five presentations to participate in 8-person, 20-minute workshops. This provides a small-group environment for presenters to share best practices, case studies, and tips and resources in a truly interactive environment. Participants represent all levels of communication experience and expertise, from senior-level managers to first-year associates and specialists. A light continental breakfast will be served. This event is hosted by the Association and Nonprofit Committee of the Public Relations Society of America National Capital Chapter. SPACE WILL BE LIMITED to provide an optimal experience for participants.

Special thanks to Vanguard Communications for providing the meeting space for this event.

This year’s topics are:

Planning Ahead — Crisis prevention strategies for digital spaces
Crystal Borde, Vice President and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practice Lead, Vanguard Communications
Crises happen. When information — the good, misinformed and ugly — moves quickly in digital spaces, it is critical for communicators to practice crisis prevention and prepare in advance to communicate about crises through their key audiences’ digital channels. In this presentation, we will cover the best crisis prevention practices and processes to be better prepared when crises occur, and tips for the plans and materials to create now that can be customized and implemented in digital spaces when a crisis happens.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand best crisis prevention practices and processes to be better prepared when crises occur;
• Develop plans and materials to be customized and implemented in digital spaces when a crisis happens.

Crystal is president-elect of the PRSA NCC Board of Directors. Crystal has been working with government agencies and non-profit organizations for more than two decades to prevent, prepare and respond strategically to crisis scenarios in alignment with their DEI values. She puts people first, ensuring that people — who they are and what they need — are accurately and fairly represented in strategic communications planning and digital communications engagement. Her thought leadership about communications strategies and approaches has been published in Bulldog Reporter and PRSA National’s PRSay blog, and featured in industry panel events and conference workshops. In 2021, she was recognized as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion Honoree by Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards and named a Changemaker Honoree by PR News’ Top Woman in PR. Crystal earned her B.A. at California State University, Fullerton — College of Communications.

Influencer Marketing — It’s not just for consumer brands
Andrea J. Sok, Founder & CEO, Sok Influencer PR
Learn about debunking the most common myths about influencer collaborations and share strategies for working effectively with influencers to advance your mission, fundraise, and increase brand awareness. Whether you have dabbled in influencer marketing or are just getting started, we will share the dos and don’ts and what you need to know to make your campaigns effective and rewarding.

Andrea brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing and communications to her role. Her career has spanned various continents, where she has sought out compelling stories and presented them in innovative ways. With an early stint in journalism, Andrea focused on storytelling through print and broadcast media before transitioning to the nonprofit sector. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded both local and global campaigns aimed at securing media coverage, reaching new audiences, and embracing emerging mediums. Andrea holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Broadcast Journalism from Arizona State University.

Cultivating Thought Leadership — Five things you can do to promote thought leadership
Toula Athas, Director, Communications, World Food Program USA
Thought leadership is essential to building brand visibility. But how do you ensure your executives break through the noise? Join us for a conversation on five key techniques you can use to differentiate and advance your organization’s or executive’s thought leadership.

Toula manages media relations, events, thought leadership, executive visibility and partner communications, focusing on raising the visibility of corporate, institutional and Goodwill Ambassador/celebrity partners at World Food Program USA. Her team is responsible for developing and executing impactful communications initiatives that increase World Food Program USA’s brand awareness and engagement among key stakeholders and builds support for the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme. A seasoned communications leader with nearly two decades in the field, Toula is passionate about cause marketing and driving social impact, building brands and leveraging the power of communications to create change. Toula graduated Magna Cum Laude from American University with a B.A. in Public Communication.

“You Talkin’ to Me?” — How to identify and reach your key audiences in a crowded news cycle
Ashley Thomson, Vice President, Scott Circle Communications

Knowing your audience is key in any communications effort, but how can you narrow down everyone’s favorite catch-all “general public” to identify who you’re really trying to reach? Join us to talk through how to identify and reach your key audiences in a crowded news cycle.

Ashley has over 15 years of experience in public and media relations, developing and implementing strategic communications strategies for a suite of public health and healthcare clients. With a network newsroom background and as a strategic advisor and enthusiastic collaborator with her clients, she elevates her clients’ priorities and programs. Creative about using storytelling to build momentum on public health issues, Ashley is passionate about health and public health causes and reducing stigma around health issues. She is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism.

Setting Realistic Media Expectations for Your Board and Senior Staff — We can’t be in the New York Times every day
Diana Olson, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

Successful media relations programs require an investment of time and resources. So, if we can’t be in the New York Times every day, why should associations and nonprofits make that investment? Join this discussion for tips on setting realistic expectations, building a bench of effective spokespeople, and making the case for media training.

Diana is Senior Director, Strategic Communications, at the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), where she is responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating communications, media relations, and digital media strategies. NFID is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating and engaging the public, communities, and healthcare professionals about infectious diseases across the lifespan. Previously, she was vice president of communications at a medical society and managing editor of magazines published by healthcare associations. She is a member of the Associations and Nonprofits Committee of PRSA-NCC. Diana and her fully vaccinated family live in Maryland.