PR Pros to Tackle Industry Issues at Vegas Conference

Online, March 21, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Las Vegas, the center of quality entertainment and grown-up fun is the site of the PRSA Western District Conference April 27-29, 2011 at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. However, conference attendees are coming prepared to discuss the biggest issues facing the public relations industry. "The economy forced most PR departments to dramatically downsize even though the round-the-clock news cycle and social media increased our workloads exponentially," says Conference Chair Nancy Syzdek, APR. "We're expecting more than 200 conference attendees looking for strategies and tools to manage the demands and maximize their value."

Las Vegas Valley Chapter President Sarah Thornton believes the conference agenda offers the depth and breadth to help PR pros make significant improvements for their companies and clients. "We'll be talking with more than 20 speakers about all of the major issues facing our industry: branding, corporate culture, social media, creative thinking, research and measurement and more."

Scheduled speakers include:
• Ken Rudin, Political Editor, National Public Radio
• Richard Laermer, CEO of RLM Marketing and author of Punk Marketing and Full Frontal PR and editor of the Bad Pitch Blog
• Donavon Roberson, Lead Brand Evangelist, Zappos.com
• Karen Wickre, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications, Google
• Randy Snow, Chief Strategic Officer, R&R Partners
• Cathy Tull, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

Prepaid early registrants from non-Nevada zip codes are eligible to win a two-night room stay during the conference at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and all pre-paid early bird registrants are entered into a drawing for a gift card valued at $230 to the Canyon Ranch SpaClub. "The conference is an amazing value for PR pros facing tight budgets: early registration is only $195 per person for PRSA members and $225 for non-members," says Syzdek.

The Conference is hosted by PRSA's Las Vegas Valley Chapter and is sponsored by Kirvin Doak Communications, The Venetian and The Palazzo.

A full conference schedule is now available at www.prsawdc.org. Conference registration is $195 for PRSA members and $225 for non-members who sign up before March 25, 2011. After March 25, registration increases to $225 for PRSA members and $255 for non-members. APRs attending this incredible professional development opportunity will be eligible for three credits toward APR maintenance.

About PRSA:
With more than 31,000 members, PRSA is the largest organization of public relations professionals and students. Headquartered in New York, PRSA is comprised of 112 local Chapters organized into 10 geographic Districts. Western District, one of the most active districts in the nation, encourages communication between chapter leaders within the district, cultivates leadership in the public relations industry, and conducts district-wide professional development opportunities.

About Kirvin Doak:
Kirvin Doak Communications is one of the West Coast's leading travel, hospitality and live entertainment firms. While they practice award-winning brand of public relations and marketing from Las Vegas, their impact is felt across the U.S.

About The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino® and The Palazzo Las Vegas:
Ranked first among Las Vegas hotels in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2010, the AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Four-Star Award-winning property triumphs in recreating the glory of Venice. With famous landmarks, winding canals, authentic gondolas, arched bridges and soaring architecture, it captures the spirit of the fabled Italian city, all within the world's most exciting city - Las Vegas.