Valley Publicity Summit 2018, presented by SPJ

It's the best Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations. The 15th annual Valley Publicity Summit, presented by SPJ (#pubsum18), is the valuable, amazing event where a roomful of locally based journalists share insights, give their story pitch preferences and industry updates with area public relations practitioners (keep scrolling down -- you'll find the list of media people signed up so far to be there!)

(Photos by Bill Pedene)

In fact, we 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. 12, 2018 (23): Greg Barr, editor-in-chief, Phoenix Business Journal; Wyatt Buchanan, former community editor, current politics/issues editor, Arizona Republic/azcentral.com; Kristine Cannon, features reporter, Scottsdale Progress, Teri Carnicelli, editor, North Central News; Kianey Carter, producer, ABC15 (KNXV-TV, Channel 15); Ashley Flood, evening anchor and editor, KTAR News (92.3 FM); Christine Goodfriend, producer, Fox 10 Arizona Morning (KSAZ-TV, Channel 10); Jennifer Jones, senior content coordinator, 3TV/CBS5 - Arizona's Family (KTVK/KPHO); Debra Utacia Krol, freelance environment and science writer; Leah LeMoine, managing editor, Phoenix magazine; Al Macias, news director, KJZZ-FM (NPR); Kara Morrison, editor, Raising Arizona Kids magazine; KJ Philps, editor, Echo magazine; Andy Ramirez, senior real time editor, ABC15 (KNXV-TV, Channel 15); Hayley Ringle, technology reporter, Phoenix Business Journal; Ed Roth, executive producer, AZ Daily Mix (KAZ-TV, Channel 7); Wayne Schutsky, managing editor, Scottsdale Progress; Lee Shappell, managing editor, Times Media/East Valley Tribune; Colleen Sparks, managing editor, San Tan Sun News; Douglas Towne, editor, Arizona Contractor & Community magazine; Eric Watson, assignment editor, KPNX-TV, Channel 12; Karen Werner, editor, Frontdoors Media; Chelsea Young, editor-in-chief, So Scottsdale! magazine.

Returning this year, this time as moderator of our pre-pitching panel discussion, is Ilana Lowery, former editor-in-chief, Phoenix Business Journal.

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.

NOTE (Sept. 12, 2018): Heather Dunn of Cronkite News, who had identified herself when she first agreed to participate as "tentative," regrettably cannot join us. Christina Barrueta, food, beverage and travel writer, regrettably canot join us.

EVENT SPONSORS: We are grateful to OH Partners and Fingerpaint Marketing for sponsoring the 2018 Valley Publicity Summit!

SAME GREAT LOCATION -- WITH SEVERAL PITCHING ROOMS! 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. Wednesday, Aug. 22. Early-bird fees: $79; PRSA members pay $69.

• Regular registration starts midnight Thursday, Aug. 23, and ends 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14. All those not registered by 5 p.m. Sept. 14 must pay walk-in registration (see next paragraph). Regular registration fees, all participants: $109.

• Walk-in registration: 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 only; $139. CASH or CHECK only for walk-in registration; 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. Friday, Sept. 14. Walk-in registration only at $139 per person from 8 to 10 a.m. the day of the event, Saturday, Sept. 15.

REFUND POLICY: Refund requests made to phoenixspj@cox.net on or before 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 will receive a 100 percent refund, minus a $10 processing fee. Refund requests made to phoenixspj@cox.net between 5 p.m. Aug. 31, and 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, will receive a 75 percent refund, minus a $10 processing fee. No refund requests received after 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, will be honored.

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

The hashtag for this event is: #pubsum18

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" of select Valley journalists talk about their outlets' editorial vision as well as pitches they love (and hate). Moderated by Ilana Lowery, executive editor, Business Real Estate Weekly of Arizona and former editor-in-chief of the Phoenix Business Journal.

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, Ph.D., 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.