Registration is now open for the WSPRA Annual Conference! This year’s annual conference will be held on October 22-23 at the picturesque Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA, which offers the perfect backdrop for an inspiring and revitalizing conference experience.
Rooms at the Skamania Lodge are available at a discounted rate of $199 per night if you book by next Friday, September 21. Book your room here! If you prefer to book your room by phone, please call 844-432-4748, press option 1 and use the following group code: 1YR81Z.
You can book after September 21, but the discounted rate may not be available.
Nestled amidst the breathtaking Cascade Mountains and the enchanting Columbia River, Skamania Lodge offers an unparalleled blend of nature, comfort, and hospitality. This idyllic setting is not just a venue for our conference, but a destination for relaxation, connection and professional growth. Join your colleagues and friends in creating a memorable experience that extends well beyond the conference sessions. Learn more about some of the amenities and activities you can enjoy while at the Skamania Lodge.
Here's what you can expect at this year's conference:
Rich Content: Engaging sessions led by industry experts that will provide you with innovative strategies, tools, and insights to enhance your school PR efforts.
Networking: An unmatched opportunity to connect with peers, share stories, and build lasting relationships.
Rejuvenation: Beyond the enlightening sessions, indulge in the serene surroundings of the lodge, partake in nature walks, or simply relax by the fireside.
Gastronomic Delights: Indulge in the culinary excellence of Skamania Lodge, with menus crafted to perfection for our attendees.
Fun & Celebrations: We have curated some special evening activities to ensure a balanced mix of work and play.
Sasquatch Sightings: Legend whispers that, in a rendezvous of fate and folklore, a great Sasquatch will present itself at the WSPRA Annual Conference, marking a prelude to the long searched for NSPRA Seattle Seminar this summer.
Agenda
Sunday, October 22
11:00 am - 5:00 pm: Registration and Check-In
1:00 - 1:30 pm: Welcome
1:30 - 2:30 pm: Learning Session 1: Growing the Team of One. Presenter: NSPRA President Trent Allen, APR, San Juan Unified School District (Carmichael, CA)
2:45 - 3:45 pm: Learning Session 2: Profile Like and FBI Agent: Five Psychological Concepts that Maximizes Audience Engagement. Presenter: Sondra Whalen, Vernon Verona Sherrill Central Schools (Verona, NY)
4:00 - 5:00 pm: Learning Session 3: What to Say When You Can't Say Much. Presenter, J. Marie, J. Marie & Associates
5:30 - 6:30 pm: No Host Happy Hour
6:30 - 8:00 pm: Banquet and NSPRA Seattle Preview (included in registration)
Monday, October 23
8:00 - 9:00 am: Breakfast (included in registration)
9:00 - 9:15 am: Welcome
9:15 - 10:15 am: Learning Session 4: The One Where We Make FRIENDS with A.I. Rebecca Bultsma, Westwind School Division (Alberta, Canada)
10:30 - 11:30 am: Learning Session 5: Guidance for School Districts in Elections and Campaigns. Colin Peeples and Phil Stutzman, WA State Public Disclosure Commission.
11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Lunch (included in registration)
1:00 - 2:00 pm: Learning Session 6 (breakout sessions)
2:15 - 3:15 pm: Learning Session 7 (Platinum Sponsors' breakout sessions)
3:15 - 3:30 pm: Closing
Full Agenda with Presentation Descriptions
Sunday, October 22
11:00 am - 5:00 pm: Registration
1:00 - 1:30 pm: Welcome
1:30 - 2:30 pm:
Growing the Team of One
Presenter: NSPRA President Trent Allen, APR, San Juan Unified School District (Carmichael, CA)
Schools are great because educators are naturally so collaborative. But the school communicator can feel like the odd person out when we’re often a team of one in our organizations. NSPRA President Trent Allen, APR is fortunate to have a great team now, but spent much of his early career as a single person shop. This session will offer insights on how to be an effective team of one, offer an opportunity to build our personal brand identifies to help tell our professional story in our organization no matter the size of our team and offer a peek into strategies that can be used to help other see the need to grow your team in creative ways.
2:45 - 3:45 pm:
Profile Like and FBI Agent: Five Psychological Concepts that Maximizes Audience Engagement
Presenter: Sondra Whalen, Vernon Verona Sherrill Central Schools (Verona, NY)
You know the art of communication, but do you know the cognitive psychology behind the concepts? Increase your PR expertise by learning the science of communicating and forging true connections with your audience. Attendees will walk away with the knowledge to sharpen their messaging, overcome invisible cognitive barriers, speak with authority on best practices, and incorporate psychological considerations into their strategic communications.
4:00 - 5:00 pm:
What to Say When You Can't Say Much
Presenter, J. Marie, J. Marie & Associates
When hot topics catch your community's attention–disciplinary action, legal issues, labor/management conflict–one of the hardest parts is figuring out what to say when you can't say much. "No comment" just won't do, but what can you say?
Veteran school communications strategist, J.Marie, will walk us through her tried and true approach to engaging the community appropriately and respectfully around these kinds of difficult issues. She'll also share key ideas and talking points you can share with your district leadership team so everyone can approach the issue consistently and appropriately ... and so nobody feels caught off guard in the produce aisle by community curiosity about the topic du jour.
5:30 - 6:30 pm: No Host Happy Hour
6:30 - 8:00 pm: Banquet and NSPRA Seattle Preview (included in registration)
Monday, October 23
8:00 - 9:00 am: Breakfast (included in registration)
9:00 - 9:15 am: Welcome
9:15 - 10:15 am:
The One Where We Make FRIENDS with A.I. Rebecca Bultsma, Westwind School Division (Alberta, Canada)
Are you ready to PIVOT your communications strategies for maximum efficiency and impact? In this session, we'll demystify the basics of AI, cover how to master advanced prompting techniques for optimized results, harness AI for insightful data analysis, and spend time on the fundamentals of generating AI-driven images, all while keeping ethical considerations in the foreground. Through practical strategies, relatable examples, and live demos, you'll leave this session equipped with actionable insights, empowering you to elevate your professional impact with AI—irrespective of your current level of expertise! Could we BE any more excited?
10:30 - 11:30 am:
Guidance for School Districts in Elections and Campaigns Colin Peeples and Phil Stutzman, WA State Public Disclosure Commission
Looking for guidance as you communicate about school district ballot propositions? This session is intended to help school districts understand the laws, rules, and guidelines pertaining to the use of school district resources in elections and campaigns. Public Disclosure Commission staff will address general principles, what is normally permitted and not permitted under existing laws and rules, and where to find more information.
11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Lunch (included in registration)
1:00 - 2:00 pm: Breakout Sessions
Two-way Mentorships: Cultivating Connections for Growth
Presenters: Catherine Carbone Rogers and Tove Tupper, Highline Public School (Des Moines, WA)
A strong mentorship relationship can support professional growth for both parties. Learn about the mutual benefits of a mentorship and get tips for making the most of your partnership.
Differentiating Communications and Engagement for Equity: A 3-Tiered Approach
Presenter: Kirsten Fitterer, Yakima School District (Yakima, WA)
This one-hour presentation explores a 3-Tiered Approach to communications and engagement with families in educational settings. This session aims to enhance inclusivity and participation, particularly focusing on equity. Key takeaways will include universal communication, targeted engagement and intensive support. By the end of the session, attendees will have gained a comprehensive understanding of how to adapt their communication and engagement strategies to meet the needs of diverse families.
2:15 - 3:15 pm: Platinum Plus Sponsors’ Breakout Session
Session descriptions will be posted week of September 25.
3:15 - 3:30 pm: Closing
A special thank you to our sponsors!
Platinum Plus Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
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