Reed Byrum
President-CEO, PRSA
Nearly 1,800 PR pros are gathered in the Crescent City this week for PRSA's 2003 International Conference. Amid the crawfish and Cajun-drenched sounds is a full menu of
workshops geared to every level of the PR profession. And, of course, there will be plenty of time to schmooze, which is what these types of meetings are all about when you get
right down to it. We talked with Reed Byrum about this year's confab.
PRN: What will attendees get out of this year's meeting?
Byrum: We have 132 professional development opportunities before and during the meeting focusing on all aspects of the business. We have seminars on individual skill sets for
PR people just starting their careers to management techniques for people at mid-career and strategic/issues management techniques for senior practitioners.
PRN: How is this year's conference different than last year's?
Byrum: Our lineup of speakers are addressing very contemporary and timely topics. We have Sean O'Keefe, administrator of a troubled NASA, who talks about crisis; Mary Matalin
and James Carville are addressing political and social currencies and Sister Helen Prejean (Author, "Dead Man Walking") is discussing the dangers in advocating a specific
viewpoint. And former Defense Department spokeswomen Victoria Clarke provides insight on how to manage information.