More than 350 PR counselors will gather at St. Pete Beach, Fla., this week for the Public Relations of Society's Counselors Academy Spring Conference which is being held May 4-7 at The Don CeSar Beach Resort. Planners say this year's gathering has a "record number" of registrants.
The conference, which kicked off yesterday with pre-conference receptions and social gatherings, will cover a range of topics focusing on the growth in the PR industry.
Keynote speakers are Martin Sorrell, group CEO of the WPP Group; James A. Taylor, senior VP of global marketing for Gateway 2000 Inc.; Harold E. Quinley, a partner at Yankelovich Partners; and Alan M. Webber, founding editor of the Fast Company.
Sorrell's address is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on Monday; Taylor's address is set for 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday; Quinley's address is set for 11 a.m. on Tuesday; and Webber's address is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
Beyond the keynote addresses, however, are dozens of workshops and presentations.
Here's a sampling of some: "Building Growth From Within"; "Grow Your Profits, Not Your Receivables"; "Crossing Borders Towards Growth"; "Stripping Away the Hype: What Counselors Should Know About Technology"; "Growth Through New Profit Centers"; "1100+ Surefire Ways To Grow Your Firm"; and "The Agency Tour: Your Secret Selling Advantage."
Conference Chair Gil Bashe said the conference is intended to offer counselors " a prescription for growth."
The Counselors Academy was established in 1961 to advance the PR profession and assist members in growing their profits.