RIT Students to Learn Public Relations From the Pros

Rochester Institute of Technology is bringing together public relations professionals from companies big and small to share with students a glimpse of life outside the classroom.

PR Now!, a public relations symposium Dec. 8 at RIT, will focus on collaborative public relations in the service industry—the world’s largest sector for job-growth.

Professionals from Eastman Kodak Co., Dixon Schwabl Inc., Fisher-Price, Wegmans Food Markets, Xerox Corp. and other firms will share personal experiences with the next generation of public relations practitioners. Topics will include branding, corporate citizenship and social responsibility, crisis management, social networking/technology, industry trends and more.

In addition, representatives from ImageWest, the only student-run for-profit advertising and public relations agency in the country, will present “Visioning the PR Agency Now and Tomorrow.”

“PR Now! brings together a myriad of ideas and perspectives on this evolving, multi-faceted, century-old profession that we call public relations,” says Wilma King, RIT associate professor of communication and one of the event coordinators. “The symposium is a springboard for meaningful dialogue and perhaps will offer new perspectives to a few of the world’s complex issues and concerns.”

Students ranging from high school to graduate school and beyond are invited to attend the symposium. RIT’s Department of Communication and School of Hospitality and Service Management are collaborating with RIT’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America to present the daylong symposium, which is free and open to the public.

“This is a great opportunity for students to get a unique perspective of the working world and how public relations relates to different industries,” says Lauren Hittinger, president of the Public Relations Student Society of America at RIT.

The symposium begins at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast and welcoming remarks in the Louise M. Slaughter Building. It will also include a career dress fashion show/seminar, “Transitioning a Wardrobe From Classroom to Work,” sponsored by Ann Taylor Loft’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Ann Taylor Cares.

Prior registration is required and interpreting services will be provided. For more information and a schedule of events or to register, visit www.rit.edu/go/prnow.

WHAT: PR Now! public relations symposium

WHEN: 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8

WHERE: Louise M. Slaughter Building (building #78; rooms 2210-2240), Rochester Institute of Technology

SPONSORS: RIT’s Department of Communication and School of Hospitality and Service Management; hosted by the RIT chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America

INFORMATION/REGISTRATION: www.rit.edu/go/prnow