It's the best Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations.The Society of Professional Journalists presents the 14th annual Valley Publicity Summit, presented by SPJ (#pubsum17), the amazing event where a roomful of locally based journalists share insights, give their story pitch preferences and industry updates with area public relations practitioners. In fact, we've arranged to have several rooms!

You could contact our more than two dozen journalists expected to attend on your own over the course of a typical year, but at the Summit you can accomplish the same thing in one day!

Here journalists will guide PR practitioners in their interactions and respond to their story interests. Likewise, PR professionals have the opportunity to acquaint journalists with potentially newsworthy information.

And bring your real pitches to pitch in our famed 3-minutes-per-pitch "speed pitching" session!

VALLEY JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE AGREED TO PARTICIPATE as of Sept. 14 (25): Christina Barrueta, dining blogger, writeonrubee.com; Heather Dunn, content director, Cronkite News, Arizona PBS (KAET-TV, Channel 8); Josh David, producer/events coverage, KNXV-TV (ABC 15); Connor Dziawura, assistant editor, West Valley View; Maritza Felix, reporter, Telemundo Arizona (KTAZ-TV, Channel 39); Christine Goodfriend, producer, Fox 10 Arizona Morning, KSAZ-TV, Channel 10; Jennifer Jones, senior content coordinator, 3TV/CBS5 (KTVK-TV, Channel 3; KPHO-TV, Channel 5); Debra Utacia Krol, freelance environment and science writer; Ilana Lowery, editor-in-chief, Phoenix Business Journal; Al Macias, managing editor, KJZZ (91.5 FM-NPR); Martha Maurer, assistant news director, KTAR News (92.3 FM); Marcy McMacken, assignment editor, Telemundo Phoenix (KTAZ-TV, Channel 39); Kara Morrison, editor, Raising Arizona Kids magazine; Andy Ramirez, assignment editor and multimedia journalist, KNXV-TV (ABC 15); Rebecca Rhoades, executive editor, Phoenix Home & Garden magazine; Hayley Ringle, technology reporter, Phoenix Business Journal; Richard Ruelas, features reporter, The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com; Douglas Towne, editor, Arizona Contractor & Community magazine; Mike Saucier, editor, Frontdoors Media; Nick Smith, editor, Arcadia News; Colleen Sparks, managing editor, San Tan Sun News; Eric Watson, assignment editor, KPNX-TV (12 News-NBC); Carrie Watters, community editor, The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com; Chelsea Young, editor, So Scottsdale and Uptown magazines; Ralph Zubiate, executive editor, East Valley Tribune, Ahwatukee Foothills News.

NOTE: While every effort is made to ensure the participation of journalists who have agreed to be part of this year's Summit, circumstances beyond SPJ's control may result in changes to the list of participating journalists. We will make sincere efforts to keep the list of participating journalists current.

SAME GREAT LOCATION -- THIS YEAR WITH A LARGER SPACE FOR PITCHING!: We're excited to once again be at Barrett, the Honors College, at the southwest corner of Rural Road and Lemon Street on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University. Our gathering will be in Honors Hall'e refectory (above), affectionately referred to by Barrett students as the "Harry Potter Room." Then we will head next door to larger quarters for the speed pitching sessions! More room to meet and share!

PARKING: Parking is free on that Saturday in the Rural Road Parking Structure at the northwest corner of Rural Road and Lemon Street. Then walk south to the Barrett campus, where we will be gathering in Honors Hall. Here is a map to guide your path to get from the parking garage to Honors Hall:

REGISTRATION:

• Early-bird registration ends 11:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21. Early-bird fees: $79; PRSA members pay $69.

• Regular registration starts midnight Tuesday, Aug. 22, and ends 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14. All those not registered by 5 p.m. Sept. 14 must pay walk-in registration (see next paragraph). Regular registration fees: $109; PRSA members pay $99.

• Walk-in registration: 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 only; $139. CASH or CHECK only; no credit or debit cards. An ATM machine is located in Acourtia Hall approximately 100 feet northwest of our Summit location.

Online registration ends 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14. Walk-in registration only at $139 per person from 8 to 10 a.m. the day of the event, Saturday, Sept. 16.

REFUND POLICY: Refund requests made to phoenixspj@cox.net on or before 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1 will receive a 100 percent refund, minus a $10 processing fee. Refund requests made to phoenixspj@cox.net between 5 p.m. Sept. 1, and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, will receive a 75 percent refund, minus a $10 processing fee. No refund requests received after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, will be honored.

Questions? Email phoenixspj@cox.net or visit the SPJ chapter website.

The hashtag for this event is: #pubsum17

SCHEDULE

8 a.m. Arrival -- Continental breakfast (Honors Hall Refectory, often referred to by Barrett students as "the Harry Potter Room" -- pictured on this page)

8:45 a.m. Welcome, introductions, instructions

9 a.m. "Super Panel" -- Eight (maybe nine) journalists talk about pitches they love (and hate), moderated by Scott Davis, former assignment editor, 3TV/CBS5, now public information officer for the Maricopa County Justice Courts

10:30 a.m. Speed-pitching with journalists in several rooms. Snacks will be provided during this time

1 p.m. Event ends

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Our event organizing committee consists of Valley of the Sun SPJ chapter members and several public relations practitioners in the Valley. Proceeds to benefit the Valley of the Sun SPJ chapter. Our sincere thanks to Mark Jacobs, dean of Barrett, the Honors College and Arizona State University vice provost, and the Barrett staff for their generosity and hospitality in hosting this event.