Don't miss the return of the best Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations. The 17th annual Valley Publicity Summit, presented by SPJ (#pubsum21), 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!) on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.

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!

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: We strongly recommend ASU's COVID-19 protocols at this event. As of early October, those protocols recommend (1) wearing masks outdoors when physical distancing is not possible and (2) that participants be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

As of Oct. 15, here's a list of media professionals expected to join us at this year's Valley Publicity Summit:

Sondra Barr, managing editor. Epic Kids

Natasha Beal, owner/publisher of Eculeus Group Publishing (North Phoenix News, North Tatum Times, North 32nd News, Scottsdale North News, The Scottsdale Standard, The Upper Westsider and Epic Kids) and managing editor Michelle (“Shelly”) Talsma Everson

Jason W. Brooks, reporter, Buckeye Independent, Independent Newsmedia

Lynette Carrington, managing editor, Arizona Health & Living magazine

Erin Edgemon, managing editor, Phoenix Business Journal

Christine Goodfriend, producer, KSAZ-TV Fox 10

Susan Lanier Graham, editor, North Peoria Lifestyle magazine; publisher/editor-in-chief, Wander with Wonder

Debra Utacia Krol, environmental, Indigenous and science issues, Arizona Republic/azcentral.com

Al Macias, news director, KJZZ-FM (NPR)

Adrian McIntyre, PhD, Valley Business Radio, PHX.fm

Kelly Mixer, editor and senior reporter, Queen Creek Sun Times

George Obi, producer, KSAZ-TV Fox 10

Patrick O'Grady, managing editor, Independent Newsmedia, including the Daily Independent in the West Valley and weekly community newspapers Valleywide

Jeff Popovich, content producer, Arizona’s Family Foodie, AZ Family KTVK 3TV | KPHO CBS 5

Rebecca Rhoades, AZ Big Media and several lifestyle publications

Madison Rutherford, associate editor, PHOENIX magazine

Jill Schildhouse, freelance writer/editor

Colleen Sparks, editor, North Central News

Teresa K. Traverse, managing editor, Sedona Monthly; freelance writer and editor

We will list more participating journalists as they are secured.

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.

Back with Barrett: We're excited to once again be hosted by Arizona State University's Barrett, the Honors College, but at a nearby under-shade outdoor location on the quad at the ASU Vista del Sol residential community, just south of Apache Boulevard on the ASU Tempe campus.

NEW THIS YEAR: MAIN GATHERING SPACE is under an architectural landmark, the famed gold geodesic dome that long covered a former Valley National Bank building at Rural Road and Apache, as well as other shade structures poolside. This event will be presented RAIN OR SHINE.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: We strongly recommend ASU's COVID-19 protocols at this event. As of early October, those protocols recommend (1) wearing masks outdoors when physical distancing is not possible and (2) that participants be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

PARKING: Parking is free on that Saturday in the Vista del Sol East Parking Lot immediately adjacent to our outdoor meeting spaces. Enter campus via Spence Avenue -- just south of the Rural and Apache intersection -- then travel west along the curving driveway to ultimately reach the lot next to the dome.

A parking route map is at the bottom of this page. Printed maps also will be available from volunteers along the driveway route from Rural and Spence.

REGISTRATION:

• Early-bird registration has ended. All discounts for identified groups and the buy-two-get-one-free offer expired at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5.

• Regular registration starts midnight Wednesday, Oct. 6, and ends 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. All those not registered by 6 p.m. Oct. 15 must pay walk-in registration (see next paragraph). Regular registration fees, all participants: $99.

• Walk-in registration: 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 only; $129. CASH or CHECK only for walk-in registration; no credit or debit cards.

Online registration ends 11:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 2021. Walk-in registration only at $129 per person from 8 to 10 a.m. the day of the event, Saturday, Oct. 16.

REFUND POLICY: Refund requests made to phoenixspj@cox.net on or before 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, will receive a 100 percent refund, minus a $10 processing fee. No refund requests received after 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, will be honored.

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

The hashtag for this event is: #pubsum21

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (to be updated)

8 a.m.                  Arrival -- Continental breakfast, under the gold geodesic dome, Vista del Sol residential community, ASU Tempe campus, 701 E. Apache Blvd.

9 a.m.             Welcome, introductions, instructions

9:15 a.m.      Featured speaker. Paula Pedene, APR, Fellow PRSA, on "What Facebook's Frances Haugen (and I) Can Tell You About the Dangers of Whistleblowing." Paula's account of her experiences as a VA whistleblower is in her upcoming Skyrocket Press book, "A Sacred Duty," to be released in late October.

9:45 a.m. Break

10 a.m.           Speed-pitching with journalists at shaded tables outdoors near the pool.

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.

(Photo of geodesic dome at ASU's Vista del Sol residential community: Courtesy ASU) (Photos of 2019 Valley Publicity Summit by Bill Pedene)