It seems that some people were listening when I posted about the CIPR Northern Conference and other PR events seemingly shunning students and young PR personnel with their ridiculously high prices.
Within a few days I had received an email from Andrew and Nicky of Don't Panic, offering me the chance to attend the conference for free, which I though as very interesting. Of course I took them up straight away and will therefore be attending on the 6th. So big thank yous to them.
I am really looking forward to going. I do, of course, have to earn my ticket to a certain extent through working the reception a bit and shuffling various delegates about. But I get to attend all the keynote speeches and three workshops. So if you are attending I shall see you there.
I wonder whether they will be extending similar offers to other students? I reckon that if they really want some good publicity they should offer a free spot to one or two students that ask every time.
Or maybe even have a student conference?
Hmm ... I feel an idea or two coming on...
Email me if you are interested in the idea of a student and Fledgling PR conference.
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8 comments:
Alex - good on you for bringing this up.
I've posted over at my blog about the barriers to entry to professional associations put in place by high costs.
Professional associations and events need to understand that people in junior PR positions don't have much disposable income.
They need to take that into account in order to encourage new blood to join their organisations and attend their events.
It's alright for some! ;-)
Who said PR isn't about who you know and blagging freebies?!
Ha Ha Ha! Stephen, we can't all be easy breezy beautiful cover girls! and how did that placement with Lewis work out? ;-)
I hope everyone knows that just because they have helped me with this opportunity this will not guarantee positive or negative reviews on this blog of the conference. But I will faithfully recount my experiences there, be they good or bad.
I did toy with the idea of not mentioning it but I am trying to boost support for more student discounts and breaks. If me getting this break can help persuade that student freebies from the CIPR to PR students and other fledgling PR people are achievable then why not?
OK, so why can't there be a student conference... How soon do you want to organise it?
Or, perhaps pioneer and put some of it online to leave more time for networking.
Here is are some experimental blog based lectures (the ePR one has podcasts as well).
Andrew, thank you again for giving me the opportunity to attend next week, and please don't think for a minute that I am not really excited to be going.
I appreciate that venue hire etc is expensive and that the CIPR has to cover its costs.
I am also very happy to hear that you can offer some tickets at cost price to students who contact you. I hope that many do. I didn't because I was concerned that I would not be in Leeds for the event itself (as it is I am traveling up from London to attend).
The line you were worried about I was actually wondering whether the CIPR couldn't send out a couple of free/working tickets to a couple of the students that apply for every one of their events? A kind of competition perhaps.
Anyway, thank you again and I am very much looking forward to meeting you and Nicky next week.
Wow, great news!! Wonder if the CIPR will be doing the same for the National conference?
Brilliant! You've allowed all of the young PR students and professionals who aren't at the top of the money chain the chance to attend PR conferences.
It seems like you've turned things round for us Alex!
Well done! I hope you are aware of what an achievment this is. You should be very proud of yourself.
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