At the February SPRC/PRSA breakfast meeting, Barb Beddor and Toby Steward, owners of Star USA, a sports management and marketing company based in Spokane for over 15 years, will discuss their integrated communications/promotional plan for the 2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships taking place in Spokane next January.

Beddor and Steward, who are married, have organized competions for Olympic sports such as volleyball, ice hockey, basketball, boxing and wrestling, in cities from Tulsa to Tacoma. Their company was responsible for the winning bid that led to the selection of Spokane as host for the 2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Join us for breakfast at Cataldo Hall on the Gonzaga University campus on Friday, Feb. 3 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and hear how Star USA is communicating and promoting this major sports event.

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Recently, several attendees at our montly meetings commented on the lack of parking available near the meeting. They probably aren't aware of the arrangements we have with the Knights of Columbus! As an attendee at our meeting, you may park, free of charge, in their lot located at 302 E. Boone Ave., just southwest of Cataldo Hall, our regular meeting place.

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Opportunities for Professional Development

By Janelle Jovick, SPRC president

Last month I talked about setting new objectives for the year, and as part of these goals I’m certain there is one related to professional development.  SPRC has some wonderful opportunities in the next couple of months that can help you accomplish this task. Block out some time in your schedule to take advantage of these upcoming events!

Hopefully everyone is working away on their SPARC Award entries.  The deadline is rapidly approaching: Feb. 24, 2006. For SPARC details, look under the Awards section of the SPRC website.  Don’t procrastinate too much because January is almost over, leaving three short weeks to pull together your award winning entries.

Coming up on March 3, in addition to our monthly meeting, SPRC is offering our annual workshop. Dale Erquiaga, managing director of R&R Partners in Las Vegas is presenting "Integration: Using all the Tools."  This workshop examines the components of an effective communications campaign and discusses how to effectively integrate marketing and advertising into the plan.  The workshop is free to members and $10 for non-members from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on the Gonzaga campus.

On March 14, you can be the judge at the first annual “You be the Judge” breakfast event. This is a fantastic opportunity to evaluate the work from communications professionals across the country and see how your department stacks up. Additionally, it is a great way to generate some new ideas for strategies and tactics to implement in your organization.  Everyone is extremely busy, but I can guarantee, this two-hour time commitment will be some of the best, “time well-spent” in 2006.

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One of the benefits of an SPRC membership is the free workshop held every year. The topic for this year's workshop is "Integration: Using all the tools."

Dale Erquiaga, vice president and managing director for R&R Partners, an integrated marketing communications firm, will draw from his experiences on a successful national campaign to help us understand the use of effective advertising and marketing combined with public relations strategies. Read more about Dale here.

The workshop will be held Friday, March 3, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.(after the regular montly meeting), with the location to be announced. Nonmembers may also attend for a fee of $10.

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By Dave Sonntag, SPRC SPARC judging chair

This year’s SPARC Awards are being judged by PRSA chapters in Wisconsin and Virginia. In order to handle our reciprocal judging responsibilities, SPRC is holding a special “You be the Judge” breakfast event:

Let's be honest, judging has its perks: First of all, there is the sheer power and notoriety you will receive as a judge. Then, there is the free breakfast (with exciting new menu items) and door prizes (from movie tickets to fine wines) that will be drawn every half hour. And, finally, just imagine all the new ideas you will get from your peers’ work across the country. We ask that you participate for at least two hours any time between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

We would also like to invite two to three individuals looking to make a name for themselves in the public relations profession to volunteer to help with judging logistics. Upcoming planning meetings are at 4:30 p.m. at the Rocket Bakery on 1^st Ave. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 and Monday, March 6. Please contact Dave Sonntag at (509) 359-6336 or dsonntag@ewu.edu to volunteer.

Finally, here is a recap of SPARC dates to remember:

·       Entry Deadline: Friday, Feb. 24, North By Northwest Productions drop-off site. Click here for a downloadable entry form and guidelines.

·      “You be the Judge” Breakfast: Tuesday, March 14, Cataldo Hall – Gonzaga University

•   Awards Gala: Thursday, April 27, Spokane Club

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...and greatly appreciated

By Ron Nichols, SPRC fundraising chair

The Spokane Public Relations Council’s SPARC Awards program offers local professionals with an opportunity to “put their best stuff forward,” and to receive recognition for achieving the highest standards of public relations professionalism in our community.

But to make the awards program really “spark,” local businesses and organizations are needed to help underwrite the program and to generate funds for the student internship program.

As in years past, major and contributing sponsors are needed – and you can help by encouraging your organization to participate. In addition to supporting an important professional and community cause, here are some additional benefits of sponsorship:

With a donation of $500, your business will be recognized as a Major Sponsor and will receive the following:

·        Four complimentary event tickets (an $140 value)

·        Company logo placed on printed materials mailed to more than 300 area professionals

·        Company logo used during slideshow before and after the program

·        Company name listed in the event program

With a donation of $250, your business will be recognized as a contributing sponsor and will receive the following: 

·        Two complimentary event tickets (a $70 value) 

·        Recognition on the invitation mailed to more than 300 area professionals.

·        Company name listed in the event program and on other materials distributed at the event.

If you know of a business or organization that would consider being a SPARC Awards sponsor, please contact Ron Nichols at 323-2912 or via e-mail at northpeak@comcast.net.

You could be the “spark” that helps land an important sponsor!

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It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer.
- Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

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