{"id":13224,"date":"2024-11-12T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=13224"},"modified":"2024-11-11T14:14:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T19:14:46","slug":"my-iconic-experience-a-first-timers-journey-at-prssa-icon-2024-mi-experience-iconica-la-aventura-de-una-asistente-primeriza-en-prssa-icon-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2024\/11\/12\/my-iconic-experience-a-first-timers-journey-at-prssa-icon-2024-mi-experience-iconica-la-aventura-de-una-asistente-primeriza-en-prssa-icon-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"My ICONIC Experience: A First-Timer’s Journey at PRSSA ICON 2024 \/ Mi experience ICONica: la aventura de una asistente primeriza en PRSSA ICON 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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As a senior at Clark Atlanta University and President of our PRSSA Chapter, PRSSA is an organization that holds a special place in my heart. So, when I received the opportunity to attend the 2024 PRSSA ICON in Anaheim, California, it was nothing short of a dream come true. Not only was this my first ICON experience, but I was also honored to be awarded a travel grant from the PRSA Foundation, which allowed me to attend and represent my HBCU with pride.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking into ICON, I immediately felt the warmth and welcoming spirit of the PR community. ICON isn’t just a conference, it’s a safe space for public relations students and professionals to connect, network and grow. I left ICON feeling inspired, encouraged and more knowledgeable than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Highlights from My ICON Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the standout moments for me was my one-on-one mentoring session with Philip Tate, founder and CEO of Philip Tate Strategic Communications LLC. As a communications and marketing professional, Philip gave me invaluable career advice and shared tips on how to thrive in this ever-changing industry. His insights left a lasting impression on me and gave me new tools to succeed as I move forward in my PR career.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Another highlight was receiving a $1,000 grant from David Grossman, CEO and founder of The Grossman Group, during the Leadership Recognition Luncheon. David’s advice to “invest in yourself” and “pay it forward” deeply resonated with me, and I’m committed to applying that wisdom in both my personal and professional life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The luncheon also gave me the change to connect with fellow student leaders from other notable universities, such as Florida A&M University, Southern University, Morgan State University and the University of South Florida, to name a few. It was truly heartwarming to meet peers from various institutions and see the shared passion we all have for PRSSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n
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As someone who deeply values the importance of identity and culture, attending the DEI Celebration Reception hosted by the PRSA DEI Committee was one of the most impactful parts of my ICON experience. Sabrina spoke on a panel about leveraging culture and identity, emphasizing how our backgrounds aren\u2019t just part of our story\u2014they are our story. Her key messages included:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Culture fuels creativity<\/strong>: Your experiences make your voice unique. Don\u2019t blend in, stand out.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mentorship is key<\/strong>: Surround yourself with people who see your potential and are willing to open doors for you.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Network with intention<\/strong>: Every connection matters. Be present, bold and follow up.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Run your own race<\/strong>: Don\u2019t compare yourself to others; focus on your own journey.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    These words hit home for me as an HBCU student and future PR professional, and they reinforced the power of owning my unique story.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Promoting Our District Conference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    During the Career Development Exhibition at ICON, I had the privilege of promoting our upcoming Southeast District Conference, which will be hosted by Clark Atlanta University PRSSA on April 11, 2025. Sharing our plans with other students and professionals from across the country was an exciting opportunity to showcase what we have in store.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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    A Passion for Sports PR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As someone with a passion for sports PR, my favorite session was The Game Plan: Strategizing Major Team News Releases in Sports PR<\/em>. This session was hosted by three incredible speakers: Seth Burton (Senior Vice President of Communications & Content at the Los Angeles Football Club), Adam Chodzko (Senior Director of Communications at the LA Angels),<\/s> and Steve Brown (Media and Communications Manager for the Anaheim Ducks). They explored the complexities of preparing communication strategies for major sports news. Hearing directly from professionals in the sports industry gave me insight into what it takes to succeed in sports PR, and I left feeling even more motivated to pursue this career path.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tackling Disinformation in Today’s World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    ICON concluded with a powerful general session titled Strengthening in a World of Disinformation<\/em>, hosted by Brian Balbirnie, CEO of Accesswire; Michelle Egan, Chief Communications Officer of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company; Paul Hardart, Clinical Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern School of Business; and Faith Pinho, National Political Reporter at the Los Angeles Times. The panel explored the growing challenges of misinformation and disinformation, the tactics behind them and their impact on election integrity. It was a thought-provoking and timely discussion that emphasized the importance of understanding and combating disinformation in today\u2019s media landscape.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Reflecting on My Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Attending PRSSA ICON 2024 was an experience I will never forget. From networking with industry leaders to engaging in thought-provoking discussions, I walked away with more than just knowledge; I left with a renewed sense of purpose and a greater connection to the PR community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Clark Atlanta University and the HBCU community at this iconic event. The memories and lessons from ICON will continue to shape my journey as I step further into the world of public relations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Courteney Sykes is a full-time student at Clark Atlanta University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass media arts. She is the president of Clark Atlanta\u2019s PRSSA Chapter and will lead them through hosting one of the Southeast District Conferences in April of 2025. Courteney\u2019s ultimate career goal is to become an entertainment and sports publicist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Her passion for visual design and creativity has been a driving force throughout my academic and professional journey. She enjoy exploring innovative ideas and strategies to enhance a brand’s visibility and reputation. Courteney has worked in various areas of mass media arts, including graphic design, video production and content creation. All of this was supplemented and strengthened in her internships and freelance projects.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Versi\u00f3n en espa\u00f1ol<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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    Como estudiante de \u00faltimo a\u00f1o en Clark Atlanta University y presidenta de nuestro Cap\u00edtulo de PRSSA, PRSSA es una organizaci\u00f3n que ocupa un lugar especial en mi coraz\u00f3n. As\u00ed que, cuando recib\u00ed la oportunidad de asistir a PRSSA ICON 2024 en Anaheim, California, fue como un sue\u00f1o hecho realidad. No solo fue mi primera experiencia en ICON, sino que tambi\u00e9n tuve el honor de recibir una beca de viaje de la PRSA Foundation, que me permiti\u00f3 asistir y representar a mi HBCU (por sus siglas en ingl\u00e9s, Historically Black College or University<\/em>, es decir, Escuelas y Universidades hist\u00f3ricamente negras) con orgullo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Al entrar a ICON, inmediatamente sent\u00ed la calidez y el esp\u00edritu acogedor de la comunidad de relaciones p\u00fablicas. ICON no es solo una Conferencia; es un espacio seguro para que los estudiantes y profesionales de relaciones p\u00fablicas conecten, hagan networking y crezcan. Durante mi tiempo all\u00ed, me fui sinti\u00e9ndome inspirada, motivada y m\u00e1s informada que nunca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Momentos clave de mi experiencia ICON<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Uno de los momentos m\u00e1s destacados para m\u00ed fue mi sesi\u00f3n de mentor\u00eda individual con Philip Tate, fundador y CEO de Philip Tate Strategic Communications LLC. Como profesional en comunicaci\u00f3n y marketing, Philip me dio consejos de carrera invaluables y comparti\u00f3 trucos sobre c\u00f3mo prosperar en esta industria en constante cambio. Sus ideas dejaron una impresi\u00f3n duradera en m\u00ed y me brindaron nuevas herramientas para tener \u00e9xito en mi carrera en relaciones p\u00fablicas.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Otro momento destacado fue recibir una beca de 1.000 USD de David Grossman, CEO y fundador de The Grossman Group, durante el Almuerzo de Reconocimiento de Liderazgo. El consejo de David de “invertir en uno mismo” y “devolver el favor” reson\u00f3 profundamente en m\u00ed, y estoy comprometida a aplicar esa sabidur\u00eda tanto en mi vida personal como profesional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    El almuerzo tambi\u00e9n me dio la oportunidad de conectar con otros l\u00edderes estudiantiles de universidades notables como Florida A&M University, Southern University, Morgan State University y la University of South Florida, por nombrar algunas. Fue realmente conmovedor conocer a compa\u00f1eros de diversas instituciones y ver la pasi\u00f3n compartida que todos tenemos por PRSSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Celebrando la diversidad, equidad e inclusi\u00f3n<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Como alguien que valora profundamente la importancia de la identidad y la cultura, asistir a la Recepci\u00f3n de Celebraci\u00f3n de DEI organizada por Comit\u00e9 de DEI de PRSA fue una de las partes m\u00e1s impactantes de mi experiencia en ICON. Sabrina habl\u00f3 en un panel sobre c\u00f3mo aprovechar la cultura y la identidad, enfatizando que nuestros antecedentes no son solo parte de nuestra historia; son nuestra historia. Sus mensajes clave incluyeron:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • La cultura alimenta la creatividad:<\/strong> tus experiencias hacen que tu voz sea \u00fanica. No te mezcles, destaca.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • La mentor\u00eda es clave: <\/strong>rod\u00e9ate de personas que vean tu potencial y est\u00e9n dispuestas a abrirte puertas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Haz networking con intenci\u00f3n: <\/strong>cada conexi\u00f3n importa. S\u00e9 presente, audaz y da seguimiento.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Corre tu propia carrera: <\/strong>no te compares con los dem\u00e1s; enf\u00f3cate en tu propio camino.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Estas palabras me llegaron como estudiante de una HBCU y futura profesional de relaciones p\u00fablicas, y reforzaron el poder de poseer mi historia \u00fanica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Promocionando nuestra Conferencia de Distrito<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Durante la Feria de Exhibici\u00f3n de Carreras en ICON, tuve el privilegio de promocionar nuestra pr\u00f3xima Conferencia del Distrito en el Sureste, que ser\u00e1 organizada por el Cap\u00edtulo de PRSSA de Clark Atlanta University el 11 de abril de 2025. Compartir nuestros planes con otros estudiantes y profesionales de todo el mundo fue una oportunidad emocionante para mostrar lo que tenemos preparado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Una pasi\u00f3n el PR deportivo<\/h2>\n\n\n
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      Como alguien con pasi\u00f3n por el PR en deportes, mi sesi\u00f3n favorita fue “El Plan de Juego: Estrategias para Grandes Comunicados de Prensa de Equipos en PR Deportivo”. Esta sesi\u00f3n fue presentada por tres oradores incre\u00edbles: Seth Burton (Vicepresidente Senior de Comunicaciones y Contenido en Los Angeles Football Club), Adam Chodzko (Director Senior de Comunicaciones en LA Angels) y Steve Brown (Gerente de Medios y Comunicaciones de Anaheim Ducks). Exploraron las complejidades de preparar estrategias de comunicaci\u00f3n para noticias importantes en deportes. Escuchar directamente a profesionales de la industria deportiva me dio una visi\u00f3n sobre lo que se necesita para tener \u00e9xito en PR deportivo, y me fui sinti\u00e9ndome a\u00fan m\u00e1s motivada para seguir este camino profesional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Abordando la desinformaci\u00f3n en el mundo de hoy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      ICON concluy\u00f3 con una sesi\u00f3n general poderosa titulada “Fortaleci\u00e9ndose en un Mundo de Desinformaci\u00f3n”, liderada por Brian Balbirnie, CEO de Accesswire; Michelle Egan, Directora de Comunicaciones de Alyeska Pipeline Service Company; Paul Hardart, Profesor Cl\u00ednico de Marketing en NYU Stern School of Business; y Faith Pinho, Reportera Nacional de Pol\u00edtica en Los Angeles Times. El panel explor\u00f3 los crecientes desaf\u00edos de la desinformaci\u00f3n y la manipulaci\u00f3n informativa, las t\u00e1cticas detr\u00e1s de ellas y su impacto en la integridad de las elecciones. Fue una discusi\u00f3n provocadora y oportuna que enfatiz\u00f3 la importancia de entender y combatir la desinformaci\u00f3n en el panorama medi\u00e1tico actual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Reflexionando sobre mi experiencia<\/h2>\n\n\n
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      Asistir a PRSSA ICON 2024 fue una experiencia que nunca olvidar\u00e9. Desde hacer networking con l\u00edderes de la industria hasta participar en discusiones profundas, me fui con m\u00e1s que solo conocimiento; me fui con un renovado sentido de prop\u00f3sito y una mayor conexi\u00f3n con la comunidad de relaciones p\u00fablicas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Estoy agradecida por la oportunidad de representar a Clark Atlanta University y a la comunidad HBCU en este evento ic\u00f3nico. Los recuerdos y las lecciones de ICON continuar\u00e1n dando forma a mi viaje mientras me adentro en el mundo de las relaciones p\u00fablicas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Courteney Sykes es estudiante de tiempo completo en Clark Atlanta University y est\u00e1 cursando una licenciatura en artes de medios de comunicaci\u00f3n. Es la presidenta del Cap\u00edtulo de PRSSA de Clark Atlanta y liderar\u00e1 la organizaci\u00f3n de una de las Conferencias del Distrito del Sureste en abril de 2025. El objetivo final de su carrera es convertirse en publicista de entretenimiento y deportes. Su pasi\u00f3n por el dise\u00f1o visual y la creatividad ha sido una fuerza impulsora a lo largo de su trayectoria acad\u00e9mica y profesional. Le gusta explorar ideas innovadoras y estrategias para mejorar la visibilidad y reputaci\u00f3n de una marca. Courteney ha trabajado en diversas \u00e1reas de las artes de medios de comunicaci\u00f3n, incluyendo dise\u00f1o gr\u00e1fico, producci\u00f3n de video y creaci\u00f3n de contenido, todo lo cual ha sido complementado y fortalecido en sus pr\u00e1cticas profesionales y proyectos freelance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      As a senior at Clark Atlanta University and President of our PRSSA Chapter, PRSSA is an organization that holds a special place in my heart. So, when I received the opportunity to attend the 2024 PRSSA ICON in Anaheim, California, it was nothing short of a dream come true. Not only was this my first ICON experience, but I was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":13225,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3652,1555,2895],"tags":[3804],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13224"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13224"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13235,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13224\/revisions\/13235"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}