The Public Relations Student Society of America chapter at Ohio State hosted the East-Central district PRSSA conference on Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for over 100 attendees.

The conference theme, PR Pioneers, allowed sessions to explore professions, companies and topics that are pioneering the future of the communication industry. 

The event was held in-person at the Fawcett Center with a virtual attendance option, followed by a networking mixer. In-person attendees received the opportunity for an updated headshot. 

Sessions explored pioneering new efforts in the communication field: 

• Keynote: Slay the Runway with Columbus Fashion
  • Tommy McClure, Founder and Executive Director, Columbus Fashion Council and Fashion Week Columbus
• What Should PR Pros Know About NIL? 
  • Matt Heichemer, Manager of NIL Business Development and Operations, The Ohio State University 
  • Mitchell Pehlke, Student Athlete, The Ohio State University
  • Sydney Taylor, Student Athlete, The Ohio State University
• Transforming Diversity in Communications
  • Christine King, Vice President of Digital Marketing, G&S Communications
• Ohio State’s Brand Experience: Engagement Reimagined
  • Kevin Saghy, Head of Audience Engagement, The Ohio State University
• Future of Leadership in PR
  • Alyson Hoffman, National President of PRSSA
• How to Book Your CEO or Clients on TV: The Fastest and Easiest Path to Boosting Any Brand
  • Meredith Liepelt, CEO of Rising Star
• Core Skills You Still Need: AP Style
  • Katie Thomas, Senior Manager, Population Health Marketing 
• Pioneering the Remote Workplace: Best Practices in Employee and Client Relations
  • Emily Steinberg, Account Assistant, Belle Communication
• A Social Revolution: The Power of Innovative Social Media Branding
  • Colin Wylie, Social Media Manager for Enterprise Leadership, The Ohio State University
  • Dani Dean, Associate Director of Social Media, The Ohio State University 
• Positioning Wendy’s as the ‘Queen of QSR’ in the United Kingdom
  • Megan Hill, Manager of Global Communications, Wendy's

Attendees networked with professionals, learned about the field and discovered more about themselves as PR pros. This event, put on by the PRSSA chapter at Ohio State, was a success. 

Read more Key Insights from PRSSA’s 2023 East Central District Conference on the PRSSA blog.