Grateful I can speak Spanish to ask the Hotel staff if they found my missing phone… Sad that they haven’t.

Not with a bang, and not really with a whimper either. The 2011 PRSSA National conference kicked off this morning with smaller numbers than would have likely been preferred.

Timothy Howard, an Assistant Professor from California State University addressed us with the topic of “Emotional Intelligence”. He was articulate and charismatic in presenting relevant information lost on too many of my peers. Howard talked about the importance of understanding the emotional needs of a target audience. One of the major concepts I walked away with reinforced a belief I feel strongly about, the idea of knowing when its appropriate to break the rules. This idea shouldn’t be confused with not knowing the rules, or breaking them at every opportunity. As Howard clearly stated in response to a question “PR is an Art, not a Science”. Our strategies and tactics need to remain rooted in sound fundamentals but we must also be conscientious of the appropriate moments to deviate from a predetermined path. He used the example of the positive PR generated by a Southwest pilot who chose to delay a flight to allow a grandfather the chance to make it to a funeral. Savvy practitioners will recognize that while in this situation the net outcome was good this wouldn’t always be the case. By prioritizing one group of individuals we are essentially de-prioritizing another. The key is to be as aware of the emotional needs of an audience as possible.

While the presenters are always excellent at these conferences I’ve come to truly value the out of classroom experiences with our UVU faculty members. A small group of us found a quaint Tapas style restaurant called the Cafe Tu Tu Tango. While some of our group enjoyed tasting Alligator for the first time I enjoyed the conversation with my peers and also the informal Q&A we had with our faculty advisor Stephen Whyte. His sincere and often nostalgic recounting of his own transition from student to professional inspires confidence in those of us nearing graduation.

The afternoon provided two sets of PRSSA chapter development sessions. I found myself in a session presented by the University of Northern Iowa, and Kent State University. They provided examples of success they had achieved within their chapters including local and national initiatives, service, recruiting, fundraising, and with PRSSA competitions.

The second session I attended was presented by Grand Valley State University, and DePaul University. Grande Valley discussed ways to increase and improve chapter PR agency visits. DePaul held an over inspired parody of the Oprah Winfrey show entitled “Harpo’s Favorite Things” highlighting connections between students and professional mentors inside the industry.

I finished up a day of meetings with a Chapter President Leadership Workshop sponsored by GM with Mary Henige presenting. She spoke with the chapter presidents regarding qualities and characteristics of great leadership. As other chapter presidents discussed various difficulties they were facing I felt grateful for strong faculty support and an executive board that is willing to work hard to achieve our goals.

Our Friday was capped off with a Brazilian Carnival Masquerade. We danced, networked, and enjoyed a variety of appetizers. It was a fun party and I think we all had a good time.

With 21 credits and a full time job being away from home is nothing new, but there is something interesting about how distance magnifies feelings of longing. The realization that I am gone for a week on the opposite side of the country hit me as the plane took off. They say it’s easy to give up what you want when there is something you want more. I’m chasing not only what I want, but what WE want.

Patience thy name is Lanette, I’ve existed as a trial to your unwavering faith. I am humbly grateful for your ability to see things in me that I haven’t always been able to see in myself.