The Magnolia Trey: Save the dates Feb. 27 to March 1, 2009 - Peter Shankman to talk social media at 2009 BEST OF SOUTHWEST Communicators Conference

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Save the dates Feb. 27 to March 1, 2009 - Peter Shankman to talk social media at 2009 BEST OF SOUTHWEST Communicators Conference

Do You REALLY Know How To Use Social Media

Founder of HARO and The Geek Factory to Discuss Social Networking at the 2009 BEST OF THE SOUTHWEST Communicators Conference Presented by TPRA and PRSA Southwest District

You know Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, but do you REALLY KNOW how to use them?

Peter Shankman, founder of the wildly successful Help A Reporter Out (HARO) and CEO of The Geek Factory Inc., a boutique marketing and pr strategy firm located in New York City, will discuss the technology that is changing the PR and marketing communications industries as we know them during his Friday keynote address, Feb. 27, at the 2009 BEST OF THE SOUTHWEST Communicators Conference Presented by TPRA and PRSA Southwest District

PR Week Magazine says Shankman is “redefining the art of networking,” and Investor’s Business Daily has called him “crazy, but effective.”

Here is your chance to find out how one of the leaders in social media is continually pushing the boundaries of technology personally and professionally, and how you and your business can do it, too.

The joint conference of the TPRA and PRSA Southwest District will feature two days of speakers, workshops, professional development and networking opportunities as well as the "A League of Our Own" Silver Spur / Best of Texas awards banquet. The event is Feb. 28-March 1 at the John Q. Hammons Embassy Suites – Dallas/Frisco Hotel, Convention Center & Spa (www.embassysuitesfrisco.com).

More details and registration information on the Southwest's biggest PR and Marketing event of 2009 is available at www.tpra.org.

Bio on Blog Author

Laura Van Hoosier, MS, APR, is a seasoned health care public relations practitioner who received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M University, and a master’s degree in Advertising/PR from Texas Christian University.

She has more than 15 years experience in public relations and marketing with hospitals and banks throughout Texas.

An award-winning professional, she has successfully managed several high-profile crises situations for organizations, and her work has been seen on “Oprah,” CNN, “Good Morning Texas,” and all of the Dallas/Fort Worth media outlets including channels 4, 5, 8, 11, 33, as well as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Dallas Morning News, and The Fort Worth Business Press, just to name a few.

A Fort Worth YWCA “Tribute to Women in Business” honoree, she has received several IABC Bronze and Silver Quill awards for her communications projects, as well as a prestigious honor from The Health Academy with PRSA’s national organization.

Known for her hands-on development of young talent, Van Hoosier is recognized for mentoring dozens of PR professionals who are today leaders in their respective industries.

She is the immediate past president of the Greater Fort Worth Chapter of PRSA, and is a public affairs volunteer for the American Red Cross. During 2009, she'll be serving as the APR Chair for the PRSA Southwest District, and an Assembly Delegate representing the Greater Fort Worth Chapter of PRSA.

A married mother of three girls, Van Hoosier enjoys reading and running.