Conestoga news

January 31, 2020 3:49 PM

PR networking event will support student awards

Students in Conestoga’s Public Relations - Integrated Communications graduate certificate program will host a networking event on February 11 at the Doon campus. Titled CLICK@Conestoga (Connect, Learn, Inspire, Communicate, Know), the event will welcome public relations students, alumni and professionals from the community to hear three keynote presenters.

“We are building on a student-inspired event from last year and we expect this to be an annual event,” said Kim Denstedt, coordinator and professor for the program. “We’re hoping to build something that will be an event for anyone in public relations, communications and marketing — whether a student or someone working in the field — as an opportunity to support education and networking.”

The Integrated Communications graduate students have organized the event and will handle the logistics of it as part of their second semester event course. It will be the first event they manage before handling additional fundraising activities off campus later in the semester.

“This is an event open to all professionals in the field and we really want to make connections between them and our students — the emerging talent coming out of the college. These students will soon be looking for work as well as co-op opportunities.”

Proceeds from the event will support awards directed to certificate, diploma and degree students studying public relations at Conestoga. Students will also be invited to participate in a silent auction to win a mentoring session. A group of professionals who practise communications, public relations or communications have agreed to volunteer their time for the sessions.

Mentors include:

  • Ric Ament, manager, marketing communications, Vital Images, Inc.
  • Patty Atwell, director of marketing and communications, Eclipse Automation
  • Fran Fisher, vice president of human resources, Multi-Health Systems Inc.
  • Cherri Greeno, corporate communications and public information, Waterloo Regional Police
  • Crystal Hyde, principal of Scout Public Affairs, certified professional coach
  • Jeff Lake, managing partner, PUNCH Canada
  • Lisa Raffaele, vice president, PUNCH Canada
  • Jennifer Vandermolen, division marketing manager, Nova Metrix

CLICK@Conestoga takes place in The Venue in the main building at the Doon campus on February 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available through the event listing.

Speaker profiles:

Tricia Kopec, account manager at Intrigue Media, will review a campaign that illustrates the value and strength of an integrated campaign. Her presentation and understanding of integration will reflect the direction the industry is headed.

Jessica Kuepfer, director of communications at Home Hardware Stores Ltd., will discuss reconciling the connection between marketing and PR and share how she bridges that gap at Home Hardware with full integration of PR, marketing and communications.

Sandy Pell, head of corporate communications and public relations at Vidyard, was named the 2019 Communicator of the Year by IABC. Pell will share details about her "pretzel-like" career path, and how saying yes to the things that scare you most can redirect your career to great places.

Visit Conestoga’s School of Business to learn more about the Bachelor of Public Relations degree program, the Public Relations diploma program, and the Public Relations - Integrated Communications graduate certificate.