NOW WHAT?

Kieth Solowski at The Venetian said you have to decide what is important. That is the simplest but purest information I took away from the PR trip to LA and Las Vegas. When a PR person can accurately determine and judge what is most important they can really be successful. Because of all the different facets involved in the PR world such as, planning, promoting, coordinating, and teaching, it is necessary to decide what is most important. It is easy to expect a PR persona to be everywhere with their hand in everything to ensure all goes well. However, as Kieth made it clear, it just isn't possible, and it is not always necessary even though some PR people feel this way.

Wing Lam instructed a room full of students to be good at what you know, if your not, you have no business being in the business. He is an example of good decision making. He told a story of a crisis Wahoo's Fish Tacos experienced and how he handled it. The first thing he said was “don't panic”. Often dealing with a touchy situation is such a nerve wracking time that the first reaction is sheer panic. He stayed calm, and found a resolution and his company is thriving. He is good at what he does.

It is easy to be good at what you do if you work hard for it. Which is the point that Nate Grey stressed to the UVU students on the trip. Work hard and you will reach your goals. Opportunities will arise that you never considered, or even thought of before. Take the time to invest in decisions that will build your knowledge bank, that way you are irresistible to employers looking to hire.

I learned something I won't forget during this experience. That is, your network is your net worth. (courtesy: Damion Dean) By being outgoing, confident, even when it seems hard, you will be more of the person you want to be, and meet people who want you to succeed. Make alliances and friends who want the things you want for yourself, get competitive and collaborate for your future and always be working on the next “thing”.

  

At First

The informnation, the people, and the whole experience were so delightful

 Then I started to have this feeling like....I will never be able to be this awesome. Everyone was so unique, successful and smart. It was daunting because I didn't know how to do any of that. But I was able to cope with it and towards the end finally kind of realize after asking my questions (ALWAYS ASK, even if it seems dumb, it isn't) that a lot of the smart successful prole started out like me. As a student with goals and hopes.

My Aha moment (Oprah anyone?) was when I was able to reflect back to Wing Lam talking about Wahoo Fish Tacos. He presented the first day of the PRSSA conference.

He said be good at what you know.

Seems simple, but it hadn't clicked that what he was saying is when you are good at what you know success finds you. 

It's like people say, "how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time"

"Reality isn't as fun as I remember.."

Being on the trip with my friends and classmates was an amzing learning opportunity, and a networking opportunity as well. Damion Dean told us your "Network is your Net worth" not sure I agree but I do know one thing. After this trip it is obvious if you have some great friends you have everything.

This is us at World of Color in Disney. Heart stoppingly beautiful. Made some of us cry...but it had been a very long day! Disney taught us that responding to your audience is the best way to communicate effectively. Disney has such a loyal following because they have always been able to reach into the hearts of their customers.

The Venetian and Palazzo meeting with Nate and Kieth taught us that Social Media is not effective for every business to reach their audience. But rather pinpoint your goals and prioritize what is most important to reach who you need to.

"Our Standard is Suite"-Venetian and Palazzo Hotel

What should I do with all the experiences I had? I wrote so many thoughts down and I enjoyed so much of what I learned. How do I possibly remember and implement all these ideas?
I will start with something Nate Grey advised us to do, work your butt off.

Next I will do something Matt Prince advised us to do, go for what you really want. People will never agree or understand, but if you feel unfulfilled, search for the answer.

Good Bye Friend- what a great trip!

Today meeting with Nate and Kieth from The Venetian and Palazzo was so great. They put together a whole presentation on what they do, how, and why. They have an amazingly busy schedule! They told us once in a 10 day period they had 23 events... Kieth, the Executive Director of PR, advised us all to focus on what's important and prioritize and stay organized. They said it is easy to feel like everything needs to be monitored but we can't be everywhere as PR people.

Kieth said something so profound:
"When you are focused internally in planning an event, you aren't focused externally on promoting an event".
PR is about promoting your brand and the business. Collaborate and work with the marketing team to get a clear message Out. This will also be the best way to utilize everyone's BEST skills. Their is always going to be someone with a skill set better then yours. Use those when operating an event!

I am so grateful for all the gracious people who have taught me on this trip, the speakers, Professors, my classmates and the people I met. Stephen Whyte made this experience awesome! Matt Prince at Disney, the guys at the Venetian, and taking that tour at Warner Bros. ALL amazing.

Now I need to go home and update my resume, and catch up on my Crisis Comm class.
Check out internships and explore a career!
Note to self: get more involved in PRSSA and stay in the loop.
Note to you: UVU has an awesome PR program, take what they offer.

The bedtime at the Venetian and Palazzo...Beautiful hotel, awesome that Nate was able to help us stay.
Good Night! Xo

VIP at the Venetian

Yesterday was Disney ALL day! Disney Disney Disney... My feet still hurt today. But we just checked in at The Venetian hotel and it is BEAUTIFUL!

We are meeting for lunch with Nate and then group dinner and then La Reve. I feel super spoiled! UVU PRSSA definitely does business and pleasure the right way.

This group of people has taught me a ton. "What is a RT?" Tweeting! Ah the art of twittering... Later I will tell you all about our meeting with The Venetian Execs.


 Wait for it!

The last day of PRSSA conference...

Crisis comm simulation was a good experience. It was fun working with other groups of kids from the other Universities and seeing what they have learned and what they could contribute.

Last night we did Santa Monica pier and went as a group to get dinner at Bubba Gumps.

 I have learned so much from this group of UVU peeps on the trip. Even in our downtime we discuss and collaborate. It is the coolest. We had such an amazing time!

Tomorrow is.... Wait for it..... DISNEYLAND!!! We met with Matt Prince the social media manager at Disney (photo above).

I loved having him talk about monitoring and managing and organizing contests for Disney through social media because I have some experience working in that. The contests seem so awesome, if you tweet or hashtag anything Disney they will most likely be in contact with you. I love that! That is what comm is all about.

That's me @mrshopejackson, and check it out DCA (Disneyland California Adventure) got back to me via twitter, while I was there at Disney... seriously so cool! Probably the best company to study when it comes to PR and HR, marketing, advertising..you name it, they rock it. 

Happiest place on earth

Warner Bros. Studios and a look into movie making

Nothing quite like waking up in sunny beautiful California.
Woke up early this morning to head to Warner Bros. Studios for a VIP tour of the premises. They have a "big city" and a "small town" these are real buildings and the process they have for making Tv is awesome. Fascinating. Unreal.

The real Batman vehicles we saw on the tour. Fun fact: they all drive, but only at 20 MPH.

We met with alum Jo Metcalf who works for Conen and she seems happy and successful, always a good sign. She got her job by following on twitter and seeing that he would be at a meet and greet in LA, she met people and got a job. She makes it sound so easy but you know how it goes, be at the right place at the right time.

Came back to the hotel and fell asleep in a bikini by the pool for a few hours before the mixer tonight at Cal State Fullerton. Some people were dressed up as super heroes others were not. Some didnt look dressed much at all. It is going to be a very interesting few days.

I thought the CSF PR crew did a great job throwing a party. Free bowling, good food, and a DJ as well. We all were able to meet a few people and everyone seemed really excited.

At first it was intimidating to approach people, but once I started it got easier, I realized everyone felt the same.
So. Tomorrow make new friends and remember names.
Be smart and focus, ask questions that matter.
Absorb what you see and hear, you never know what opportunies arise and what may present itself. Just like Jo told us, she got her dream job because she took a chance. Take a chance!

Going going... Back back... You know the rest!

We made Cali in great time today and I pretty much slept the whole way. This group of classmates is legit. So much fun!

We are getting ready for our mixer tomorrow at the PR conference and it will be great to meet some of the people involved.

(photo above bowling at the mixer)

Jo Metcalf from the Conen show will be meeting with us tomorrow to discuss more of what she does for a living. An alumni at UVU, she graduated in PR and now works in entertainment in LA.

- I want to ask her, why she got involved in the entertainment industry.
- how is it working for Conen?
- Was this always something you wanted to do?

We went to Newport beach today and it was beautiful. We then had dinner at Fashion Island and did some shopping.

All the fun stuff starts tomorrow!!

Genelle Belmas-
 one smart lady.

Don't even worry about it, she has her Doctorate in Communication with an emphasis in Media Law (holy sh#..), a BS in Journalism and has written multiple textbooks. Some I don't even understand the title to...
1- When did you decide to write your first text book, and why?
2- What is your favorite topic to teach?
3- Students say  (rate my prof) that you make studying law entertaining, how did you get interested in Media Law?

I can't wait to hear her speak at the conference. Media Law is a pretty intimidating topic to me, probably because it sounds serious. She is obviously passionate about the topic and teaches it at Cal State so I am really grateful for the opportunity to go listen to what she has to say. Her students love her!

She was featured in their student newspaper a while back. About her undergoing weight loss surgery. The student body seemed very supportive of her, she is definitely well liked! Check it out http://www.dailytitan.com/2010/10/belmas-profile/

Damion Dean- Conference Speaker

http://prprosassemble.com/conference-information/programming/


First of all. That website is cool looking.
Damion Dean Executive Director Evolve Minds Media, (what's that like?) They produce short films, music videos and seem to be good at it. He traveled to London for a movie premier recently. He is also Director of Operations at Notice Network, and LA Fashion Corner. What? This guy is awesome. He directs a lot of substantial organizations.

What I am really wondering is what he will lecture on for the PR conference. Will he touch on his experience in PR with his own company and associates, or will he discuss more from a client point of  view? I wonder because I am not sure what he does REALLY, like what does an 'executive director' do?...I have no idea. But I did find pictures!

So, if I were going to ask him 3 questions, I would start with:

1- As Executing at Evolve Minds Media, what do you do on a normal day?
and I would brain storm from there....
Yikes, so excited for this trip!

Disneyland! Where dreams come true

This P.R. trip with UVU is so exciting! I have been looking forward to it since I got that acceptance email for this trip.

I have been to Disney once before and was fascinated by how easily the company was able to uphold it's standards of entertainment EVERYDAY! It really was the happiest (cleanest) place on earth.

I watched opening day on Youtube and was able to see that even then when it first opened Walt Disney had a very specific vision for what he wanted the park to be. With surprise guests straight from the screen (Mickey Mouse) and the ice cream shop catering to audience members out on "Main Street USA" to watch the live marching band parade through the park, there was a very apparent air of entertainment and happiness. That feeling is still there today! I felt it all three days I went to Disney Land for my first time and I have been a believer ever since.

How do they really make everyone happy?

It is fascinating and I can't wait to know the secret(s). As a PR student I can't wait to go back and analyze more of the strategies they implement to run such a successful organization.

It's going to be great!

Conference speaker- Carolyn Kim

Carolyn Kim-
  http://faculty.biola.edu/carolyn-kim/ 
I wonder if conference speaker Carolyn Kim is religious?

She has worked for Chuck Colson a minister and religious author, and a non profit organization, Fellowship for Christian Athletes. To me she seems to be passionate about that line of work. Is it appropriate to ask her about that? I come from a religious background and I wonder how she got into it.

Another question I want to ask is what was the biggest difference for her from working PR in an agency setting as opposed to a non profit. Lastly I would ask her what is one of her recommended digital strategies to reach clients?
 1-digital strategies; what is one good one?
 2-how did you get started working religious PR(?) maybe we will think of a different way to ask that...
 3- non profit vs agency PR, which do you like best?

"Our standard is Suite"-The Venetian Hotel

Today I am interested about The Venetian and how they represent themselves. I didn't realize that the club Tao that Kim K parties at every year for her birthday is the same club at The Venetian. Besides that cool tid bit, they have some pretty sweet pools.  The weather will be warm enough to catch some sunshine and this is definitely the spot to do it. Kim Kardashian definitely revs up their visibility to the public. It has a reputation as being one of the premier hotel/resorts in Vegas. It is beautiful! "Our standard is suite." On the website boasting that they are a five diamond resort. I believe it!
Shows at The Venetian:
- Faith and Tim Mcgraw
- America's Got Talent Live.

They advertise the hotel attractions on their classy looking website. It makes me think luxury! Check out the hotel rooms...

La Reve... The Dream

I Looked into some info on La Reve today. The trip is getting nearer with every passing day and I am excited and nervous. About a year ago me and my husband (my dance partner) auditioned for a spot on the show (La Reve). La Reve means "The Dream" and is all about the dream world we enter into when we close our eyes and aspire to unimaginable things. Summer 2011 talent managers from the show came to Center Stage Dance Studio here in Orem and I auditioned. I was excited to learn, that the dancers choreograph the show. For example, at the audition two current cast members and performers taught the audition choreography, which was an actual piece on the show. It was such fun choreography to dance I wish I would have gotten the job. These same dancers choreographed the routines for the stage in Vegas. Because of this I am excited to see the other pieces because I will know that most of the performers prepared the actual pieces being performed. The show will be spectacular! I am curious to see how the executives monitor their numbers an what is the determining factor in which pieces of choreography get on stage and which ones aren't popular. Essentlially, how do they know what people want to see? I am going to bet most of their audience comes from a word of mouth basis. Which means it is going to be good, since it is still running and pretty popular. Love me some Vegas! I can't wait!