District Conference Preview: Zooming + Booming: How To Fast Track Your Career (University of Nebraska at Omaha 2024)
Gen Z is reaching the finish line of their education and the start of their careers. Just like a good NASCAR race, the competition in the professional world is fierce. With the right pit crew of support and a toolbox of tips, Gen Z can zoom into their careers at lightning speed.
That’s why the University of Nebraska at Omaha will host the “Zooming and Booming: How To Fast Track Your Career” PRSSA District Conference. The conference will take place on March 22 and 23, 2024, in the College of Business state-of-the-art Mammel Hall, just minutes away from a plethora of restaurants and shops in Aksarben Village.
This conference features an all-star lineup of seasoned pros and rockstar rookies who bring diverse backgrounds and experiences. Topics cover how to best market to Gen Z; how to create a personal brand; how to build a corporate brand; how to use social media to influence change; how to build your leadership skills; and most importantly, how to fast-track your career.
You’ll make connections through networking with professionals and your peers. Designated networking sessions are scheduled before the Friday night keynote speaker and between the Saturday sessions.
“I’m very excited to see Gabe Gomez. I believe his expertise as a social media strategist, influencer and brand expert on Gen Z will appeal to a broad audience,” said Stephen Pura, UNO PRSSA President.
The conference kicks off with the Ready, Set, Go! reception at 5 p.m. on Friday with keynote speaker Gomez, strategy lead for Verizon in New York City. He formerly worked as a social media coordinator for Edelman’s Gen Z Lab.
The Saturday sessions kick off at 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast, followed by our keynote speaker Jared Hall, entrepreneur and founder-designer of 3 AM Luxury, a high-end fashion brand. Our luncheon keynote is Cahner Olson, founder of Omaha Places and 402 Social. The conference will cross the finish line with Devin Owens, motivational speaker and DEI director at Creighton University. Other speakers lined up so far include:
- Brandon Bartling, senior manager, communications and public relations, Scooter’s Coffee
- Bryonna Ward, business catalyst program associate, I Be Black Girl
- Geoff Exstrom, director of communications & media relations, Omaha Supernovas professional volleyball team
- Johnny Redd, communications manager, OutNebraska
- Emma Allison, marketing director, Noddle hospitality
“We’re also excited to share our conference community service initiative, Youth Mart, a donation center for young adults 25 and under who have aged out of the foster care system,” Pura said.
Thanks to our sponsors, our conference is extremely affordable. Our Early Bird registration pricing (until March 15): PRSSA members and Faculty Advisers – $25. Registration prices include two meals and snacks. We’ve reserved a block of hotel rooms for easy booking right near our campus at Hilton Gardens in Aksarben. The price is $119/night.
For more information, go to our website, www.unoprssa.org/zoomingandbooming, or contact Maureen Pieper at mpieper8@unomaha.edu or (402) 637-8290.
Brookelyn Evans is a sophomore at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is majoring in journalism and minoring in marketing. She serves as the UNO PRSSA vice president of social media and is the social media lead for the 2024 District Conference.
Samantha Pastorino is a junior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha majoring in journalism and media communications. She serves as the UNO PRSSA vice president of public relations and serves as the public relations professional for the 2024 District Conference.
