The Things They Don't Tell You About PRSSA National Conference

This past weekend, I was fortunate to attend the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) National Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. The annual event is packed with prominent public relations professionals, distinguished speakers and career development sessions. I arrived in Boston curious and excited for my first national conference experience. I anticipated the speeches, workshops and an abundance of boisterous PR students. I knew I would learn, network, explore and bond with my chapter members. However, I never predicted the overwhelming inspiration or the little, eye-opening moments that made it all worthwhile. Attending PRSSA National Conference can be the first step to a successful career, but it’s seldom the way you imagined.

The Unexpected

You read the description on the itinerary, find a well-positioned seat toward the front, grab a notebook and a pen and prepare to listen to a speech about leadership. Suddenly, a man jumps out from behind the podium, displays the first PowerPoint slide and yells, “How to Suck at Being a Leader.” Before you know it, Ben Butler, the founder of an award-winning marketing agency called Top Hat, has you trading notebooks with the person next to you and surrendering your note-taking abilities to a stranger. During PRSSA National Conference, you never know what to expect and you always leave the room inspired. There are speakers who make you laugh, presentations that make you cry and some that even make you want to gag (cough, MorganSpurlock, cough, cough).

The Relevant

When the world’s smartest and most innovative PR professionals are all in one city, you better believe relevant and influential topics will be discussed. National conference brings everyone from thought-leaders, to new PR students together to grow and advance the profession. You can expect cutting-edge tactics, innovative strategies and advanced ideas. However, it’s the personal relevance that makes PRSSA National Conference so special.  Whether you’re interested in political science, event planning, corporate, agency, health care, journalism or nonprofit PR, National Conference is applicable to everyone. You have the ability to decide which sessions you attend based on your own, personal interests. There’s no sitting through boring content you’ve heard millions of times. Your conference experience is tailored specifically to your preferences.

The Connection

We all know there’s networking, networking and more networking. Business cards are handed out like candy and resumes are always kept handy. But the new way of networking is much more meaningful than small talk and handshakes. PRSSA National Conference provides the opportunity to form genuine connections with peers and professionals around the world. Mutually beneficial relationships stem much deeper than a single internship or piece of advice. Conference is a chance to make lifelong connections and find long-lasting mentors. Genuine connections are easy when you’re surrounded by genuinely wonderful and inspiring people.